The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a proposed rule to limit farm payments to non-farmers, consistent with requirements Congress mandated in the 2014 Farm Bill. The proposed rule limits farm payments to individuals who may be designated as farm managers but are not actively engaged in farm management. In the Farm Bill, Congress gave …read more.

On Dec. 10, Secretary Tom Vilsack declared 54 counties in the State of Michigan as primary natural disaster areas and 27 as contiguous counties. This action was based on damages and losses caused by excessive snow, freeze, frost, high winds, cold temperatures, snowfall, ice and blizzards that occurred Jan. 1, 2014, and ending May 17, …read more.

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will target nearly $16 million in financial and technical assistance to help eligible crop and livestock producers in 19 states cope with adverse impacts of the historic drought gripping the nation. Jane Hardisty, State Conservationist for Indiana’s Natural Resources Conservation Service said, “Because Indiana is among those …read more.