Farming

USDA Farm Service Agency reserves funds each year to make loans to socially disadvantaged applicants to buy and operate family-size farms. A socially disadvantaged farmer is one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For the purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups have been defined as women, Blacks or African Americans, American Indians or Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders.

The Harrison County Farm Service Agency (FSA) has experienced many changes in programs they administer and the customers they serve. In November and December, the Agency saw its most noted change with the retirements of two employees Sandi McConnell and Barry Sims.  

Each year during the annual HCBCA meeting those in attendance are asked to join the local and state association. This year after the meeting the local board discussed ways of increasing our membership. This last month we have discussed this membership drive and would like to introduce a program to encourage your participation.
Anyone who joins the local county and state cattlemen association will receive a membership card with several local businesses offering discounts to HCBCA members. The following are discounts available to you as a member:

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Kentucky reminds producers they have until Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2012, to submit an application for payment under the 2011 Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP).
ELAP provides emergency assistance to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees and farm-raised fish who have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including losses due to blizzards, and wildfires.