Iowa-Based Project will Create Jobs, Expand Production of Biofuels

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2012 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA has approved a conditional commitment for a $25 million guaranteed loan to build a biorefinery plant with funding support from USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program. The plant will be constructed by Fiberight, LLC based in Blairstown, Iowa.

"This project is another step the Obama administration is taking to support production of a new generation of renewable fuels, in order to build an active biofuels and biomass production industry in every region of the country," said Vilsack. "Investments in renewable energy create jobs and reduce America's dependence on foreign oil."

USDA funding will be used to construct a 55,000 square foot facility that will produce cellulosic ethanol by converting municipal solid waste and other industrial pulps into advanced biofuels, as well as using conventional renewable biofuel derived from seed corn waste. When operational, the facility is expected to produce approximately 3.6 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. The process will use a cellulosic microbe to produce up to 15 percent more ethanol than traditional fermentation technology, and reduce energy inputs in the fermentation and distillation process. Fiberight estimates the project will create 38 jobs and save 16 jobs.

Under the conditional commitment, Fiberight must meet specified conditions before the loan guarantee can be completed. Other funding comes from the State of Iowa.Fiberight also received a $2.5 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund in 2010. The company will work with the Benton County landfill to supply a portion of the feedstock for the project. The total project cost is estimated at $59.5 million. Fiberight, LLC was incorporated in 2007 for the purpose of converting an existing ethanol facility into a cellulosic ethanol facility in Blairstown.

This funding is an example of the many ways that USDA is helping revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets for agricultural producers, and better utilize our nation's natural resources.

The Obama Administration is working to promote domestic production of renewable energy to create jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, combat global warming, and build stronger rural economy. Today, Americans import just over half of our transportation fuels - down from 60 percent when President Obama took office - but we can do more to meet the President's goal of reducing our net fuel imports by one-third by 2025. At Secretary Vilsack's direction, USDA is working to develop the national biofuels industry producing energy from non-food sources in every region of the country. USDA is conducting and encouraging research into innovative new energy technologies and processes, helping companies build biorefineries - including the first ever commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facilities - and supporting farmers, ranchers, and businesses taking risks to pursue new opportunities in biofuels. Along with Federal partners, USDA is establishing an aviation biofuels economy, and have expedited rules and efforts to promote production and commercialization of biofuels.

USDA's Biorefinery Assistance Program was authorized by Congress under the 2008 Farm Bill. It provides loan guarantees to capitalize on the growing opportunities in renewable energy provided by advanced biofuels. The Program is designed to assist with the commercial deployment of production technologies to produce advanced biofuels, and thereby increase the energy independence of the United States; promote resource conservation, public health, and the environment; diversify markets for agricultural and forestry products and agriculture waste material; create jobs and enhance the economic development of the rural economy.

To read more about the Administration's renewable energy accomplishments, click here.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages more than 40 housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of employees in the nation's capital and state and local offices. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


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A new TV feature  is available on the USDA FTP site. The new TV feature can also be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and seen and downloaded as a video podcast.

FTP Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

Filename for TV Feature: GOMI feature

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/usda/

video podcasthttp://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

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FEATURE - FIVE STATE USDA INITIATIVE WILL HELP IMPROVE ECOSYSTEM HEALTH OF GULF COAST

INTRO:  U-S-D-A's Natural Resources Conservation Service is launching a water and wildlife conservation effort along the Gulf Coast of the United States. The USDA's Bob Ellison has more. (1:32)

 

A NEW INITIATIVE FROM THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE WILL HELP PRODUCERS PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY IMPROVING WATER QUALITY. GOMI (GO-MEE), OR THE GULF OF MEXICO INITIATIVE, WILL HELP PRODUCERS IN FIVE STATES LIMIT NUTRIENT AND PESTICIDE RUNOFF.

 

Will Blackwell, USDA NRCS District Conservationist: The goal of the GOMI is to improve the water quality as it drains off the land before it gets into the rivers, before it gets into the bays and estuaries.

 

TEXAS RANCHER DALLAS FORD PLANS TO USE GOMI ASSISTANCE TO BUILD FENCES TO KEEP HIS CATTLE OUT OF LOCAL STREAM SYSTEMS.

 

Dallas Ford, Refugio Co., TX: The cattle will be on the land, the proper ranch itself and get their water from there and not be in the creek, which they do go into it now and I would like to stop them from doing that.

 

AT THE GOMI ANNOUNCEMENT, AN N-R-C-S OFFICIAL SAID STAFF WILL WORK WITH LANDOWNERS TO DEVELOP PLANS AND GET FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS TO PUT CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN PLACE.

 

Salvador Salinas, USDA NRCS Texas State Conservationist: In some areas a lot of what is going on is we are having a lot of nutrient and pesticide erosion into those river systems and as a result that impacts the wildlife and fish habitat. We hope that by implementing the conservation programs that over a period of time that we will begin to see some possible affects with regard to water quality.

 

GOMI WILL DELIVER UP TO FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS IN COST-SHARE ASSISTANCE OVER THREE YEARS IN SIXTEEN PRIORITY WATERSHEDS. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I'M BOB ELLISON.

USDA Down To Earth Video Podcast

Funding Will Help Producers, Landowners and Communities Rebuild and Repair Damaged Land after Year of Extreme Weather

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2012?Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today an important package of disaster assistance to help farmers, land owners, communities and others recover and rebuild after a year in which a wave of natural disasters swept across all regions of the United States. The funding, totaling $308 million, provides financial and technical assistance to help rebuild and repair land damaged on account of flooding, drought, tornadoes and other natural disasters in 33 states and Puerto Rico. Funding is provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service's Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) as well as the Farm Service Agency's Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP).

"Landowners, individuals and communities have endured incredible hardships because of the intensity and volume of natural disasters that have impacted their livelihoods," said Vilsack. "America's farmers and rural communities are vitally important to our nation's economy, producing the food, feed, fiber and fuel that continue to help us grow. This funding will help to rebuild communities, while states can use the funds to carry out emergency recovery measures. At the same time, this assistance keeps farmers on the farm, ranchers on the ranch, and landowners on their land, helping to keep American agriculture profitable."

The Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) will contribute $215.7 million to provide financial and technical assistance to address public safety and restoration efforts on private, public and tribal lands. When funding is allocated to a project, NRCS contracts the heavy construction work to local contractors, spurring creation of jobs. Typical projects funded under EWP include removing debris from waterways, protecting eroded stream banks, reseeding damaged areas, and in some cases, purchasing floodplain easements on eligible land. A list of states and their fiscal year 2012 EWP Program allocations can be viewed at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp.

The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) program will contribute $80 million to producers to help remove debris from farmland, restore livestock fences and conservation structures, provide water for livestock during periods of severe drought, and grade and shape farmland damaged by a natural disaster. FSA county committees determine eligibility based on on-site inspections of damaged land and considering the type and extent of damage. For land to be eligible, the natural disaster must create new conservation problems.

The Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) program will provide $12 million in payments to eligible owners of nonindustrial private forest (NIPF) land in order to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster.

A list of states and their fiscal year 2012 ECP and EFRP allocations can be viewed at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/20120108_ecp_efrp_table.pdf.

USDA works with state and local governments and private landowners to conserve and protect our nation's natural resources - helping preserve our land and clean our air and water. In 2010, President Obama launched the America's Great Outdoors initiative to foster a 21st century approach to conservation that is designed by and accomplished in partnership with the American people. During the past two years, USDA's conservation agencies?NRCS, FSA and the U.S. Forest Service?have delivered technical assistance and implemented restoration practices on public and private lands. At the same time, USDA is working to better target conservation investments to embrace locally driven conservation and entering partnerships that focus on large, landscape-scale conservation. In 2011, USDA enrolled a record number of acres of private working lands in conservation programs, working with more than 500,000 farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, and prevent soil erosion.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has worked tirelessly to strengthen rural America, implement the Farm Bill, maintain a strong farm safety net, and create opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its most productive periods in American history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers.

A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture. To help keep American agriculture profitable, USDA immediately responds to disasters across the country, ranging from record floods, droughts and tropical storms, with direct support, disaster assistance, technical assistance, and access to credit. For example, USDA's crop insurance program insures 264 million acres, 1.14 million policies, and $110 billion worth of liability on about 500,000 farms. Over the past 3 years, USDA has paid out about $17.2 billion in crop insurance indemnities to more than 325,000 farmers who lost crops due to natural disasters. And in response to tighter financial markets, USDA has expanded the availability of farm credit, helping struggling farmers refinance loans. In the past 3 years, USDA provided 103,000 loans to family farmers totaling $14.6 billion. Over 50 percent of the loans went to beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (Voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).


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WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2012-TODAY, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will host a national media conference call to announce disaster assistance to help farmers, land owners, communities and others recover and rebuild after a year in which a wave of natural disasters swept across all regions of the United States. The funding will provide assistance to help rebuild and repair land damaged on account of flooding, drought, tornadoes and other natural disasters in 33 states and Puerto Rico.

A strong farm safety net is important to sustain the success of American agriculture. To help keep American agriculture profitable, USDA immediately responds to disasters across the country, ranging from record floods, droughts and tropical storms, with direct support, disaster assistance, technical assistance, and access to credit.

 

Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012

1:30 p.m. EST

 

WHAT: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to host a national media conference call to announce disaster assistance.

 

DIAL IN: 800-857-5233

Passcode: SECY (Given Verbally)

Troubleshooting: 202-720-8560

 

All callers using the above pass code will be placed in listen only mode. To join the Q&A portion of the meeting, callers are instructed to press *1 on their touch tone phone.

 

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Conservation Programs Present and Future

 

 

INTRO: Conservation programs are the backbone of U-S-D-A's efforts to address environmental concerns. The

U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more on the importance of these programs and their role in solving future challenges. (1:55)

 

U-S-D-A'S NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE PROGRAMS HELP PRODUCERS AND OTHER LANDOWNERS PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. N-R-C-S CHIEF DAVE WHITE SAYS DECREASED SUPPORT FOR THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD HAMPER THAT EFFORT. 

 

Dave White, Chief, NRCS: If we lacked the financial wherewithal to assist producers it would be severely damaging for private land conservation in the United States. We believe that the fate of the environment will be determined by the men and women who own and operate that land and the millions of individual decisions they make every single day. And the better informed they are, the more help we can give them, the better chance we have of keeping our land productive into the future.

 

AND WHITE SAYS THOSE LANDOWNERS WHO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT NEED TO KNOW THEY WON'T BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS.

 

White: I think we've got to change the whole regulatory mindset to working with people to do the right thing and in return for that, they don't have to fear regulation. Somebody coming in and telling them what they are going to do. Because frankly all the conservation in the world is not going to do you any good if our farmers and ranchers and woodland owners cannot stay in business.

 

WHITE SAYS N-R-C-S PROGRAMS WILL BE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN ADDRESSING LONG TERM ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES.

 

White: I think the biggest challenge we as a nation face in the coming decade is going to be water. Water quality is going to be huge. Equal to that is the issue of water quantity. So one of the key things in order to address water quality, water quantity is the health and resilience of our soils and we're going to make a major effort to try to improve that.

 

N-R-C-S PROGRAMS CURRENTLY AFFECT MORE THAN TWENTY SEVEN POINT SEVEN MILLION ACRES IN THE UNITED STATES. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

Standard will address water quality issues such as loss of nutrients from farm fields

WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2011 - TODAY, USDA will unveil its revised national nutrient management standard during a media conference call. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White will explain how NRCS will help farmers and ranchers use voluntary technical and financial assistance to develop nutrient plans to address resource concerns such as water, soil and air quality. This conservation standard is particularly important because three major cropland studies have identified that loss of nutrients from farm fields contributes to degraded water quality in three major water bodies?Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay and the Upper Mississippi River Basin.

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site. The new feature can also be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and downloaded as a video podcast. See below for details.

FTP Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

Filename:aviation fuel feature

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY3Zp1rr1DI&feature=channel_video_title

video podcasthttp://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

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FEATURE - BIOFUELS FOR COMMERCIAL AIRLINERS

INTRO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is touting the goal of expanding the use of advanced biofuels to boost rural America. The U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more. (1:33)

 

MADE IN THE U-S-A BIOFUELS POWERING AMERICA'S COMMERCIAL AIRLINES. THAT'S ONE OF THE MESSAGES AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK BROUGHT TO A COMMERCIAL AVIATION ALTERNATIVE FUELS INITIATIVE EVENT HELD IN WASHINGTON D-C.

 

Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary: So it's important for us to celebrate the success we marked this year for Alaska Airlines and United Continental, utilizing biofuel in commercial flights for the first time. And we obviously want to expand on that.

 

BECAUSE EXPANDING THE USE OF BIOFUELS WILL, VILSACK SAYS, BOOST THE ECONOMY IN RURAL AMERICA.

 

Vilsack: And for us at USDA advanced biofuels connected to the aviation industry is as much about fuel as it is about jobs. The ability to create good jobs primarily, in our view, in rural communities.

 

VILSACK SAYS THOSE JOBS WILL BE AT NEW RURAL BIO-REFINARY PLANTS TURNING NON-FOOD BIOMASS MATERIAL INTO ADVANCED BIOFUELS.

 

Vilsack: The Department of Energy will help and assist the development and construction of a number of prototype, commercial sized bio-refineries. We anticipate and expect that they might be able to provide assistance to as many as four or five of these bio-refineries located throughout the United States.

 

RECENTLY IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE U-S NAVY PURCHASED FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND GALLONS OF ADVANCED BIOFUEL TO POWER SHIPS AND PLANES...THE SINGLE LARGEST EVER GOVERNMENT BIOFUEL PURCHASE. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M BOB ELLISON.

USDA Down To Earth Video Podcast

How Americans Rate Their Diet Quality

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site. The new feature can also be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and downloaded as a video podcast. See below for details.

FTP Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

Filename: diet perception feature

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXY9mbpgXHg&feature=channel_video_title

video podcasthttp://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

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FEATURE - How Americans Rate Their Diet Quality

INTRO: Are people learning the healthy eating information being directed at them? A U-S-D-A study aimed to find out. The U-S-D-A's Bob Ellison has more. (1:30)

 

A NEW U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STUDY SAYS AMERICANS KNOW THEY SHOULD BE EATING HEALTHIER EVEN IF THEY DON'T THINK THEY ARE. THE U-S-D-A'S ECONOMIC RESEARCH SERVICE COMPARED DIET PERCEPTION SURVEYS FROM NINETEEN NINETY ONE AND FROM TWO THOUSAND SIX AND FOUND THAT PEOPLE IN THE OH-SIX SURVEY WERE MORE FAMILIAR WITH FEDERAL DIETARY ADVICE.

 

Christian Gregory, USDA ERS: People are really starting to comprehend that education programs and information in the media and from physicians is really starting to kind of click with people.

 

AND WHILE THOSE SURVEYED DON'T BELIEVE THEIR DIETS HAVE CHANGED, THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT A HEALTHY DIET IS HAS CHANGED.

 

Gregory: The healthfulness of the diet hasn't changed much. So we really think that there is some suggestive evidence that it's the information environment and people's comprehension of that information that's really changing. But all of this information basically has kind of gotten through and you basically evaluate your diet today and say, "Hmm...that might not be that great".

 

GREGORY SAYS THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO STUDY IF HEALTHY EATING INFORMATION IS AFFECTING PEOPLE'S ACTUAL DIETS AND NOT JUST THEIR PERCEPTIONS.

 

Gregory: We need to know more about how effective nutrition education programs, especially those that are funded by and sponsored by the USDA.

 

MORE DIET PERCEPTION STUDY INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT E-R-S DOT U-S-D-A DOT GOV AND HEALTY EATING GUIDELINES CAN BE FOUND AT CHOOSE MY PLATE DOT GOV. FOR THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE I'M BOB ELLISON.

USDA Down To Earth Video Podcast

Bookmark and Share

A new TV feature is available on the USDA FTP site. The new feature can also be seen on USDA's YouTube channel and downloaded as a video podcast. See below for details.

FTP Download instructions:

The host: ftp://ocbmtcmedia.download.akamai.com

User name: usdanews

Password:  Newscontent1

Filename: Pork Prep English

The new file is in QuickTime Movie (H.264 ), MPEG 4, MPEG2 and HDV.

YouTubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCrKpYpSLFM&feature=channel_video_title

video podcasthttp://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/usda-down-to-earth-video-podcast/id461819504?uo=4

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FEATURE - USDA COOKING GUIDANCE FOR PORK, RED MEATS

 

INTRO: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has lowered its recommended cooking temperature for pork cuts and other meats. USDA's Patrick O'Leary has more from Washington, D.C. (1:57)

 

THERE'S A NEW RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE AND PROCEDURE FOR COOKING PORK. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS THE NEW TWO-STEP PROCESS IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT FOODBORNE ILLNESS:FIRST, PORK ROASTS AND CHOPS SHOULD REACH A SAFE MINIMUM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 145 DEGREES FARENHEIT, BEFORE REMOVING FROM THE HEAT SOURCE AND AS MEASURED WITH A FOOD THERMOMETER. SECOND, CONSUMERS SHOULD ALLOW A THREE-MINUTE REST TIME BEFORE CARVING OR CONSUMING PORK CUTS.

 

Dr. Elisabeth Hagen, Under Secretary Food Safety: So USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service has determined that it is just as safe to cook pork, whole cuts of pork and other red meats to 145 º with a 3-minute rest time as it is to cook them to 160 º with no rest time. And this combination is sufficient to protect against pathogens such as Salmonella that could be found in those cuts of meat.

 

DURING THE 3 MINUTES AFTER MEAT IS REMOVED FROM THE HEAT SOURCE, ITS TEMPERATURE REMAINS CONSTANT OR CONTINUES TO RISE, WHICH WILL DESTROY ANY PATHOGENS.

 

Hagen: And so lowering the cooking temperature of raw pork, steaks, roasts, and chops by 15 degrees with the addition of that 3-minute rest time will provide consumers with a product that is both microbiologically safe and at its best quality: juicy and tender.

 

THE USDA SAYS THE SAME GUIDANCE APPLIES FOR ALL MEATS, INCLUDING BEEF, VEAL AND LAMB. THEY SAY THE SAFE MINIMUM INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 145 DEGREES SHOULD BE VERIFIED WITH A FOOD THERMOMETER.


Hagen: That's right, a food thermometer is really the only way to determine if meat has reached an internal temperature that ensures the product is safe to eat.

 

THERE IS NO CHANGE TO THE RECOMMENDED SAFE COOKING TEMPERATURES FOR GROUND MEATS, INCLUDING BEEF, VEAL, LAMB AND PORK, WHICH REMAINS 16O DEGREES FARENHEIT, OR FOR POULTRY PRODUCTS, INCLUDING GROUND CHICKEN AND TURKEY. THAT REMAINS AT 165 DEGREES FARENHEIT.

 

Hagen: To learn more, you can ask a food safety question at AskKaren either on-line or on your smart phone, or call the USDA's Meat & Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPhotline.

 

IN WASHINGTON, FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, I'M PAT O'LEARY.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Oct. 22, 2011 - Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to the 84th National FFA Convention about the critical need to recruit and support the nation's next generation of farmers and ranchers.

"America's producers are the most productive and successful in the world - with a willingness to embrace change, new science and innovative technologies to fulfill the noble task of feeding a nation," said Vilsack. "To continue that success, we need organizations like FFA working creatively to build policies, structures and institutions that will ensure the next generation can continue to feed and fuel the world."

USDA's focus on developing new generations of beginning farmers and ranchers is a result of America's aging farming community.  In the last five years there has been a 20% decrease in the number of farmers under 45.  Today the average American farmer is 57 whereas five years ago it was 55.  Today, nearly 30% of American farmers are over the age of 65 - almost double what it is in the general workforce.

Secretary Vilsack highlighted USDA programs that are committed to investing more resources and energy to recruit the next generation of farmers and to finding strategies to make these beginning farmers successful.  The USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach assists people who want to learn about USDA's efforts to support new producers. In the past two years, more than 40% of all USDA's farm loans have gone to beginning farmers and ranchers.

The Farm Service Agency provides Beginning Farmer and Rancher loans. These are direct and guaranteed loans to beginning farmers and ranchers who are unable to obtain financing from commercial credit sources. Each fiscal year, the Agency targets a portion of its direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loan funds to beginning farmers and ranchers.  In addition, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program provides funding to develop and offer education, training, outreach and mentoring programs to enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers.

USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) is working with partners to support young, motivated entrepreneurs who are looking past traditional ways of bringing products to market. Through RMA funding for the Farm Credit Council, the "Field Guide to the New American Foodshed" was developed to assist the growing numbers of direct-market farms and ranches and also the lenders, accountants and other businesses who work with them.

Additionally, the USDA Nation Agricultural Library is working in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation to develop a 'Curriculum and Training Clearinghouse' at Start2Farm.gov, which will serve as a national one-stop source of all beginning farmer and rancher education and training materials online.

"The future of agriculture is bright and will present the next generation with incredible opportunities to pursue," said Vilsack. "Young people should continue to engage in policy that affects them - but they shouldn't be limited by it. We need them to think big, innovate, and tackle the important challenges facing American agriculture and the nation as a whole."

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