Posts in USDA
Tomorrow: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Joined by Governor John Bel Edwards, Congressman Troy Carter, and SBA Administrator Guzman in Baton Rouge

On Tuesday, February 14, Agriculture Secretary will travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he will join Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, Congressman Troy Carter and Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) at a press conference. During the press conference, they will underline investments and initiatives under the direction of President Biden that expand economic opportunity and prosperity in the area and throughout the state of Louisiana, including for small and underserved producers and businesses. These actions will help create jobs, invest in and develop a competitive, well-trained workforce, close the racial wealth gap, and more.  

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Southwest Louisiana Beef Tour

The LFBF Livestock Committee is excited to open registration for our Southwest Louisiana Beef Tour, which will be a two-day and two-night event scheduled for Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, 2023. We will begin with the “Economics and Profitability in the Cattle Business” workshop presented by Mr. Gene Lollis, the ranch manager of the Archbold Biological Research Station in Venus, Florida.

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USDA Develops Simplified Direct Loan Application To Improve Customer Service

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a simplified direct loan application to provide improved customer experience for producers applying for loans from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The simplified direct loan application enables producers to complete a more streamlined application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages. Producers will also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or prepare a traditional, paper application for submission to their local FSA farm loan office. The paper and electronic versions of the form will be available starting March 1, 2023.  

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USDA Announces February '23 Lending Rates For Ag Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for February 2023, which are effective Feb. 1, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

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Agriculture Census Due February 6

USDA and National Agricultural Statistics Service officials are reminding producers that Feb. 6 is the deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture.

The NASS survey is conducted every five years to provide a complete account of the nation’s farms and ranches and the people who operate them. In December, NASS mailed questionnaires to every known agriculture producer in the United States and Puerto Rico.

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Become A Qualified Vendor For USDA Food Commodities Purchases

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invite you to a live, interactive webinar on becoming an approved USDA food vendor. AMS purchases approximately $6 billion of U.S. grown and processed foods annually for both domestic and international food assistance programs. USDA purchases over 300 different food products that directly support the nutritional needs for millions of school children, families, and other qualified individuals. Find out how your company can participate in these purchases that support American agriculture.

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Vilsack Underscores Efforts to Boost Smaller Farms and Ranches

The Biden administration says it plans to transform the food system to create a more competitive agricultural economy with new and better markets, and more resilient farms and ranches. In the recent news release, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack underscored the administration’s vision and efforts to create an economy where the wealth and opportunities created in rural America stay there. 

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