And, when organic farmers must collect on their insurance policies, they are compensated at the price of the conventional crop, not the higher organic price. The inequities of the crop insurance system are a key impediment to more farmers converting their land to organic production. In the legislative proposal that will now be considered by the full Agriculture Committee in the coming weeks, subcommittee members call for eliminating or reducing the organic premium and providing...

Crop insurance companies will deduct from their payments anything the farmer can salvage from the crop. Economic impact Row crop farmers lose income from crop reduction or loss for the second consecutive year. Immediate Impact Grass in pasture and hayfields quit growing, leaving cows without food and farmers nothing to store for the winter. Row crop farmers have little or no harvest. Because of high prices, the number of acres planted in wheat this year is about four times what it was last...

Martin O'Malley said the purchase of farmland easements was designed to keep farmers on the land, preserve open space and protect the state's agricultural heritage. When the Board of Public Works gave its approval to the state's purchase of 40 farmland easements totaling 5,135 acres last month, the total acreage protected from development grew to 430,000. Farms with sales of $1 million or more annually make up 2 percent of all farms, but they account for 48 percent of farm product sales....

RMA has followed some of the recommendations of an earlier report, GAO says, including helping UDSA' Farm Service Agency to provide timelier inspections during the growing season, and sharing information with FSA to protect against program abuse, potentially recovering up to $74 million in improper payments from 2003. Printer Friendly FormatEmail Page. RMA has followed some of the recommendations of an earlier report, GAO says, including helping UDSA' Farm Service Agency to provide...

Farming needs dynamic, committed young people who are prepared to work hard, develop their skills and who take pleasure in reaping the rewards if their labour. It features young farmers and growers, machinery and livestock breeding technicians, consultants, contractors and communications experts. Packed with real life case studies the document aims to inspire young people and dispel some of the myths there are about the industry. A life on the land is not just about muddy wellies and dirty...

One of the fattest targets that has emerged: the federal crop insurance program and the money paid to companies and agents to sell and service federally subsidized policies. To get an idea of how much premiums and commissions will rise this year, consider this situation: In Story County, Iowa, the premium for a typical revenue assurance policy that covers 75 percent of the crop value would total about $40 an acre this year, up from $23 an acre in 2006. To get an idea of how much premiums...

Brown pushes to make farming rules more accessible STACY LANGLEY, The Huron Daily Tribune 07/02/2007 Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly LANSING Legislation may be on the way that will require the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Agriculture to offer a free booklet to farmers. Brown pushes to make farming rules more accessible STACY LANGLEY, The Huron Daily Tribune 07/02/2007 Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly LANSING Legislation may...

DeLuz says it's simple to tell if your body needs a detox: You have darkness or puffiness under your eyes, your belly protrudes, you're bloated and gassy and always burping. But at the end of the fast, she says, don't return to processed, unhealthy foods. Evening: Take an enzyme capsule, drink one cup of cleansing soup, one cup of broth from cleansing soup mix, a cup of herbal tea, herbal cleansing formula and 8 ounces of water. You'll chew nothing for two days, and DeLuz, also a...

Connecticut is trying to entice young people into farming by offering perks such as low-interest loans and tax breaks to those breaking into the business. Connecticut is one of three states trying to entice young people to take up farming. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Tries To Entice Young People Into Farming.