WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that dairy producers can now enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Secretary Sonny Perdue has utilized additional flexibility this year by providing dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. “Secretary Perdue […]
USDA
Posted inMaine, sj-web
USDA awards $11 million to 6 rural Maine communities
FORT KENT — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing grants and loans totaling more than $11 million to six communities in rural Maine to improve infrastructure and facilities. The largest of the awards is $4.6 million to Winter Harbor Utility District to upgrade the district’s wastewater treatment facility and collection system. Half of the […]
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Posted inConnections, sj-web
USDA offering farm loans for beginning farmers, underserved groups
BANGOR — USDA Maine Farm Service Agency Executive Director Donovan E. Todd III reminds producers that FSA offers targeted farm ownership and farm operating loans to assist underserved applicants, as well as beginning farmers and ranchers. For farm loan program purposes, targeted underserved groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan natives, Hispanics, Asians […]
Posted inConnections, Livermore Falls Advertiser
Conservation practices group to meet
FARMINGTON — The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, in cooperation with the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District, is inviting all local residents with an interest in conservation practices on private agricultural lands and woodlands to participate in a Local Working Group meeting. The event will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 9, […]
Posted inConnections
USDA provides new cost share opportunities for organic producers, handlers
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that starting March 20 organic producers and handlers will be able to visit more than 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification. “USDA reimburses organic producers up to 75 […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
USDA to award 13 renewable energy grants Thursday
SPRINGVALE — Two U.S. Department of Agriculture officials are in Maine to announce renewable energy grants to 13 businesses. USDA Rural Development Undersecretary Lisa Mensah and USDA Rural Development State Director Virginia Manuel are being joined Thursday by U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree and others for the announcement in Springvale at McDougal Orchards. All told, 13 […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
USDA says Paul LePage’s threat can end food stamps in Maine
PORTLAND — If Gov. Paul LePage follows through on this threat to cede Maine’s administration of the federal food stamp program, the federal agricultural agency said it can’t run it, due to a lack of authority and funding. Maine unsuccessfully applied for a waiver to ban using food stamps for buying sugary drinks and candy. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage: Maine will ban buying junk food with food stamps
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage says despite his proposal being rejected by the Legislature and federal government, Maine will move forward with restricting the purchase of what he calls junk foods with food stamps in Maine — or give up administration of the program altogether. “It’s time for the federal government to wake up and […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Feds buy $13 million worth of wild blueberries
PORTLAND — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will buy up to 30 million pounds of wild blueberries to help stabilize prices and supply in one of Maine’s signature industries. The members of Maine’s congressional delegation told The Associated Press on Thursday that the agency will pay up to $13 million for the wild blueberries. The […]
Posted inConnections, Livermore Falls Advertiser
Farm Service Agency encourages insurance enrollment
Donovan Todd III, state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency, is encouraging farmers to apply for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance to producers of noninsurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented plantings occur due to natural disasters. Specialty crops such as fruits […]