Farming

 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces that dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program (MPP) can now update their production history when an eligible family member joins the operation. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below levels of protection selected by the applicant.

The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approves $255,208 for agricultural diversification and rural development programs across the Commonwealth during its April board meeting.
Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program
The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. Two Deceased Farm Animal Removal Programs totaling ($15,000) were approved by the board for Harrison ($7,500) and Henry ($7,500) counties.

Spring break from teaching at U of L falls conveniently during the week of St. Patrick’s Day; which is also my target date for planting onions and potatoes.  I typically manage a mid-March planting but the condition of the soil is my primary concern.  I will not start digging until the soil dries out and is considered workable.

Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles announced that farmers and other eligible applicants in Kentucky may seek funding from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture for producing and marketing “specialty crops.”
Specialty crops are defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops.