Featured Blog Posts – August 2009 Archive (8)

If you wore blue and gold corduroy, you likely understand intense feelings that have transcended two decades. March 1989 is a month I remember clearly, even if 20 years have gone by in a blink of an eye. The Municipal Auditorium at Michigan State University had a distinct fervor of excitement, anticipation and apprehension. You see, it was the place where our State FFA Officer team led the Michigan FFA Convention. I recall the thrill of dashing up the aisles during opening ceremonies, rocking… Continue

Any NC Farmers out there? Drop me a line.

I just posted a story on Agriculture Online, Well-managed beginning farms can thrive in uncertain times, by Dan Looker, who attended a conference for young and beginning farmers in Omaha this week.



The piece covers a presentation by Dave Kohl, an ag finance expert who's also had lots of practical experience, including a deal in which he invested in and helped… Continue

Can anyone help me understand HR 875? I have received emails and read blogs saying that this new law would "Make organic farming illegal". I have read the bill and don’t see any mention of organic farms... is this just hype, in an effort to not give an inch? From what I can make of it, they just want to clean up "food production", and make it easier to track food sources and hold those accountable for negligence. As for HCCP rules and requirements, they seam reasonable to me.



here is… Continue

It's been a great year in so many ways. I am sure I am the luckiest rookie farmer ever. Tomorrow I will make my first cash grain contract (as a farmer seller) of my life. I think it is time to lock in basis on new crop beans. I expect farmers to sell beans and store corn at todays prices. The slug of beans coming to market could make basis very sloppy. Since I dont have a lot of choices on markets I want to have a good home ready.

Intersting thing happened in that I had 2,500 bu of extra… Continue

Good morning FFTF....



Have you ever been (or felt you have been) looked down upon because you were a farmer? Our image used to be one of the community's "white hat" but that gets a little dirtier every day. Savannah Gutherie, NBC News' White House Correspondent used to be a reporter for Court TV. Here is what I personally heard her blurt out during the coverage of an Idaho murder trial on June 17, 2004.....



"The prosecution made a real mistake by introducing DNA evidence… Continue

Is anyone signing up for acre or just keeping the same program they have always had, also what are some benefits and risks to the program. Is it worth signing up??? Going in friday to talk about it at my local fsa office.

Blog: Is Latino Labor in the Agricultural Industry a Thing of the Past?, By Orlando Gil.



"This past June I had the opportunity to address pork producers at the World Pork Expo (audio and… Continue