NORTH WEBSTER — Lakeland Regional Sewer District met Thursday evening, March 3, at the North Webster Community Center to hear updates and discuss progress on the large sewer project covering the Barbee chain of lakes in North Webster and Leesburg. Casey Erwin, DLZ project engineer, noted the entire project has reached about 43 percent completion with …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — Board member Bob Sanders brought an important point the board in reference to customers who may be on limited incomes and unable to work because of retirement or disability to add additional income. “We can’t do that to our people,” stated Sanders, noting some public members are fearful of losing their homes because of the increased expense of sewer bills.

By KENT POLITSCH USDA Farm Service Agency KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday, Oct. 30, that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is partnering with 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership to nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. In May, USDA announced the availability …read more.

By Dan McGowan Writer/Reporter, Inside Indiana Business COLUMBIA CITY — A federal grant will help launch a study that could provide a clearer picture of opportunities connected to the food production and processing sectors in northeast Indiana. Funding for Wells County Revitalization Inc. will support creation of a Northeast Indiana Regional Foodshed Development Strategy. It will …read more.

By DAN MCGOAN Writer/Reporter, Inside Indiana Business WEST LAFAYETTE — Statewide estimated losses from heavy spring rains that previously ran into the half-billion dollar range have been dialed back. Purdue Extension Economist Chris Hurt says soybean yields appear to be near-normal and the corn crop appears to be bigger than expected in parts of the state. Hurt …read more.

NORTH WEBSTER — It was no gentle start to the Thursday evening, Oct. 1, monthly meeting of Lakeland Regional Sewer District’s board in the North Webster Community Center, as the meeting kicked off with three bill pay requests of substantial amounts.

By LATAWNYA DIA Indiana Farm Service Agency, USDA WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated eight counties in Indiana as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred during the period of May 1, 2015, and continues. Those counties include Fulton, Clark, Morgan, Owen, …read more.

By JAYSON BECKMAN USDA Between 2001 and 2013, global biofuel production grew rapidly, driven by a combination of rising gasoline prices, falling prices of biofuel inputs and policies mandating use of renewable fuels. The same factors that led to production increases also led to the expansion of global trade in biofuels. Among countries that produce …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Due to massive rainfall this summer, Kosciusko County, among 52 other Indiana counties, was approved for a secretarial disaster declaration as requested by Gov. Mike Pence, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann, and Indiana Farm Service Agency Executive Director Julia A. Wickard.

INDIANAPOLIS — The results are in from the first-ever statewide fall tillage transect completed late last year as part of a collaborative effort between the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Indiana’s 92 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other members of the Indiana Conservation Partnership. The report shows significant increases …read more.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Aspen Foods of Illinois has recalled approximately two million pounds of raw, frozen chicken products due to salmonella contamination concerns. The recall was announced Thursday, July 16. The company said in a news release that a link between the products and three people in Minnesota being sickened by …read more.

[weaver_youtube t6LQHbs_Nsw rel=0] Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.), the chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, today delivered his weekly “Waste of the Week” speech and highlighted how the federal government can achieve $116 million in savings by eliminating the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) sugar subsidy program. Currently, the USDA issues loans to sugar producers and …read more.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new report on discoveries by USDA researchers that have led to new patents and inventions with the potential for commercial application and potential economic growth. USDA innovations included in this annual report range from USDA supported research that could offer solutions for millions who suffer allergies from peanuts …read more.

Lakeland Regional Sewer District held a special meeting Monday at the North Webster Community Center to discuss the appropriation of funds for the ongoing sewer project. The meeting was originally scheduled for May 13, but was unexpectedly cancelled. LRSD board president Jim Haney began Monday night’s meeting by nixing all public questions and comments, noting …read more.

Word is expected May 8 from the regional office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, on the funding needed to break ground on the multi-million dollar Lakeland Regional Sewer District project. The district’s board members said during their regular meeting Thursday night at the North Webster Community Center they were expecting an imminent …read more.

By KENT POLITSCH Farm Service Agency The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced that nearly 2,700 applicants will begin receiving disaster assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program for losses experienced from Oct. 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2014. The program, re-authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides …read more.

Lakeland Regional Sewer District is beginning to feel the gravity of its situation. The past five years of applying for loans, planning and engineering sewer grinders and waste management stations must be finalized by May 11. After taking the time to meet with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials March 18, LRSD board members are anxiously awaiting their …read more.

BY JULIA A. WICKARD State Executive Director, Indiana Farm Service Agency For more than 40 years we have celebrated National Ag Day as a time to pause and honor the American farmer. Today, our farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world with each one helping feed more than 155 people. We thank …read more.

By DONNA FERGUSON United States Department of Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Indiana Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Julia A. Wickard reminds producers of upcoming important deadlines for the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage. The final day to update yield history …read more.

By BENJAMIN KENNEY Indiana State Department of Agriculture The Indiana State Department of Agriculture has announced it is accepting applications for a total of $500,000 in expected federal funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program. The grant will come from the United States Department of Agriculture and will be available to nonprofits, producers, academic …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.

USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural Indiana. Through our programs, we touch rural Hoosiers in many ways. Our financial programs support such essential public facilities and services as water and sewer systems, housing, health clinics, emergency service facilities and electric and telephone service. We promote …read more.

FORT WAYNE – Science Central will serve up some healthy fare for visitors with its next traveling exhibition, “To MyPlate and Beyond.” Developed by Purdue University, the interactive exhibit illustrates the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s tool,” MyPlate,” that emphasizes the five food groups that are part of a healthy diet: fruits, vegetables, grains, proteins and …read more.

The U.S. corn crop is projected to reach record production this year but won’t be quite as large as initially expected because heavy spring rain in parts of the country prevented some acres from being planted, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Friday (Nov. 8) crop production report. Indiana’s corn crop also is expected …read more.

Corn and soybean crops in Indiana and Ohio are in the best shape among the nation’s leading production states, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress report. The condition ratings are welcome news for growers in both states amid falling grain prices after the release of the latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics …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.

USDA Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Undersecretary Michael Scuse is touring drought-stricken farms tomorrow and Thursday to survey the damage. Farmers in Indiana experienced a dry and mild spring which led to early planting in many parts of the state. Lack of rainfall and the extreme heat complicated the growing season and pollination of the …read more.