Farming

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces that greater protection is now available from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance. The new options, created by the 2014 Farm Bill, provide greater coverage for losses when natural disasters affect specialty crops such as vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, floriculture, ornamental nursery, aquaculture, turf grass, ginseng, honey, syrup, and energy crops.

Many of you have participated in the Beef Quality Assurance program over the last 8-10 years. During that period we have shown repetition of materials and little or no learning once you have seen the materials. The program is going to change this year with a multi-level program called “Cattle Handling and Care.”

On Nov. 20, Kentucky will hold a Beef Check-off Referendum. Each county will vote at their local extension office. The Harrison County Extension Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to receive your vote. Your votes will then be forwarded to Frankfort for Harrison County.
The following is a fact sheet answering any questions or concerns you may have regarding the check-off referendum. If you have additional questions, feel free to call the Extension Office at 859-234-5510 or the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association at 859-278-0899.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces that they will improve farm loans by expanding eligibility and increasing lending limits to help more beginning and family farmers. As part of this effort, USDA is raising the borrowing limit for the microloan program from $35,000 to $50,000; simplify the lending processes; updating required “farming experience” to include other valuable experiences; and expanding eligible business entities to reflect changes in the way family farms are owned and operated. The changes become effective Nov. 7.