Our U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns is visiting the Farm Progress Show today. His first stop was the media tent where he awarded EJ Water Cooperative with $8.8 million for a loan and grant to build a water treatment plant. This is part of USDA’s Rural Development initiative. Johanns then proceeded to make some comments regarding the farm …
Farm High Speed Internet Access Doubles
The latest Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report from USDA’s NASS was posted today with very little fanfare but I think it is very important to agricultural marketers! Following is the main summary of the report but there’s lots of data in there if you want to study and use it. I’m highlighting some key points in it for you. …
Biosecurity Alert for Livestock
The outbreak of foot- and mouth- disease abroad has the Department of Agriculture issuing an alert to domestic livestock producers. The U.S. Ag Department singles out the need for Pennsylvania producers to closely monitor contact with British livestock. The state Department of Agriculture is urging livestock producers to heighten biosecurity practices, especially if dealing with international markets, in light of …
Farm Bill Update From Secretary Johanns
What’s happening with the Farm Bill is the subject of more press releases than we can count lately. I don’t focus a lot of time on policy but it’s important to know what’s going on. This morning U. S. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, held a press conference to bring us up to date and explain the Administration’s position on …
Connecting Rural America
It’s really getting hard to ignore the fact that broadband internet access is available or in development everywhere in rural America isn’t it? We’re sure not ignoring it. In fact, we’re helping companies take advantage of it! Deputy Agriculture Secretary Chuck Connor today announced the availability of $8.9 million in grants for communities without broadband service to provide residential service …
Logan Barbee Helping Agriculture in Iraq
Here’s the latest report from Paul McKellips, Global Outreach Officer, US Embassy Baghdad, The Green Room – Public Affairs GO Team. He’s still finding the news you won’t find anywhere else. This time he interviews a Florida boy who’s doing what he can to help out. You can listen to Paul’s report here: logan-barbee.mp3 Logan Barbee is a Senior Agricultural …
Homeownership Month Reflects USDA Homebuilding Efforts
USDA Rural Development spotlights its roll in homebuilding efforts this June, National Homeownership Month. Thomas Dorr is the Agriculture Under Secretary for Rural Development. He says programs sponsored by USDA Rural Development have enabled rural residents to have their own abode to call home. “For nearly 60 years, USDA Rural Development has helped rural Americans with the blueprint to become …
June Marks Season for Farmers Markets
A cooking demonstration, live entertainment and a raffle for various prizes will kick off the summer Farmers Market season. The openning of the 12th season of the USDA Farmers Market will also feature a booth offering nutritional information and food suggestions from the USDA for the home. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner will officiate the openning Friday, June 1 …
5 Pork Producers Named to National Pork Board
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced five new appointees for the 15-member National Pork Board Wednesday. The new members will serve three-year terms on the board. Johanns said the appointees were chosen from among 8 nominees. “I am pleased that these individuals have agreed to provide their time and expertise,” said Johanns. The five were chosen from among eight pork …
USDA Under Secretary Dorr on Rural Broadband Proposal
Last week I mentioned that USDA was proposing new rules for rural broadband development. That’s high speed internet access for those of you who aren’t fully AgWired yet. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr, spoke at yesterday’s CBOT Greening of Racing event and I got to ask him to explain more about that. Secretary Dorr says that research …