Ag Secretary Visits Farm Progress Show

Chuck Zimmerman

Mike JohannsSecretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns toured the Farm Progress Show today.

Afterward he met with the press. He basically summarized the action the administration is taking to help drought-stricken farmers and then talked about renewable energy and energy efficiency funding.

Audio, Farm Progress Show, USDA

Johanns at the ID INFO EXPO

Cindy Zimmerman

Second day of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture ID INFO Expo was a busy one, between the Secretary of Agriculture and the protesters. A small but vocal group gathered outside the Westin in Kansas City with signs and umbrellas saying “No to NAIS.” I figured that about 99 percent of the people passing by on Grand Avenue had no …

Animal Health, USDA

USDA Broadband Loan Lawsuit

Chuck Zimmerman

Not everyone is happy with the way USDA’s Rural Development office is doling out rural broadband loans. According to a story on C/net yesterday, the department is being sued by Mediacom Communications, the same company supplying us with our high speed access. Apparently a competitor (Lisco) in Fairfield, IA received a low interest loan to develop a system in a community that already has 2 other providers.

Internet, USDA

Manage Your Farm Energy Risk

Chuck Zimmerman

Energy In AgricultureWith all the buzz about energy and fuel costs small and limited resource farmers as well as any producers might be interested in USDA’s “Energy In Agriculture, Managing The Risk” conference in Kansas City, MO on June 27-28.

Farming, USDA

More Rural Broadband Development

Chuck Zimmerman

USDA Rural DevelopmentHere’s an example of what USDA is doing to help improve rural broadband internet access. The Rural Development Broadband Access Loan program is providing the funds. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development, Tom Dorr had this to say. “Broadband can help to put rural communities on a level playing field when competing with bigger cities for new residents and businesses,” said Dorr. “When people can live in smaller communities that have a higher quality of life and still compete globally, that presents a great opportunity for rural America.”

Internet, USDA