Agriculture

Wed
16
Apr

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 14: 2025  deadline to complete spring CRP Mid-Contract Management (MCM) activities
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season (PNS)
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

USDA Conservation Compliance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) places high importance on maintaining productive land and a healthy environment. Part of that commitment is reducing soil erosion and preserving wetlands. Soil erosion reduces the fertility of the nation’s farmland and harms water quality in our lakes and rivers. Wetlands serve a vital role in protecting water quality, re-charging groundwater and reducing the impact and frequency of flooding.

Wed
16
Apr

New Urban Agriculture Field Days connect farms to communities

The Urban Agriculture team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering four Urban Agriculture Field Days in 2025, partnering with area urban farms. Local community members and those interested in urban agriculture are invited to attend.

This field day series provides an opportunity for urban farms and their communities to engage with local ISU Extension and Outreach offices, while learning about urban farming practices through onsite demonstrations.

Urban farms are essential to providing food security, sustainability, access to nutritious food and economic strength to urban communities, according to Iowa State’s urban agriculture outreach specialist, Graham Sandersfeld.

Each event will have a unique agenda but will generally include a tour of the host farm and a presentation of agricultural research from on-farm demonstrations during the 2025 growing season.

Wed
09
Apr

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline
May 14: 2025  deadline to complete spring CRP Mid-Contract Management (MCM) activities
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season (PNS)
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

USDA Expediting $10 Billion in Direct Economic Assistance to Agricultural Producers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on National Agriculture Day, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.

Wed
02
Apr

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

Fungi in Agriculture
by Eric Novey, NRCS

Wed
26
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 31: Deadline to request Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) for prior year harvested wheat, barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, honey, oats, rapeseed, and sesame.
March 31: 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)  Program Sign-up deadline
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

USDA Offers Options for Signing & Sharing Documents Online
Farmers and ranchers working with USDA’s Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service can now sign and share documents online in just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure, and available for multiple FSA and NRCS programs.

Wed
19
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 31: Deadline to request Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) for prior year harvested wheat, barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, honey, oats, rapeseed, and sesame.
March 31: 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)  Program Sign-up deadline
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

Wed
19
Mar

Apply by June 1 for Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig invites eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to honor families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“Century and Heritage Farm families embody the very best of our state, showcasing the strength and perseverance that define Iowa agriculture. The pride, stories, and legacies of these multi-generational farm families are truly inspiring,” said Secretary Naig. “The Century and Heritage Farm ceremony at the Iowa State Fair is a celebration of Iowa agriculture, and I look forward to honoring these families every year. I encourage eligible families to submit their applications and join us at this great event.”

Wed
12
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 31: Deadline to request Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) for prior year harvested wheat, barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, honey, oats, rapeseed, and sesame.
March 31: 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)  Program Sign-up deadline
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain

Wed
12
Mar

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship advises keeping pets away from sick-looking or deceased wild birds

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is advising Iowa pet owners to keep their cats and dogs away from sick or deceased wild birds and animals. Pet owners should also discourage indoor/outdoor cats from hunting wildlife because of the ongoing threat posed by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) circulating within wild and migratory birds.

Wed
05
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 31: Deadline to request Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL) for prior year harvested wheat, barley, canola, crambe, flaxseed, honey, oats, rapeseed, and sesame.
March 31: 2025 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)  Program Sign-up deadline
April 15: 2025 Agriculture Risk Coverage & Price Loss Coverage Program (ARC/PLC) Signup deadline

Water Quality
by Eric Novey, NRCS
In a recent article by Brian Dougherty, Understanding Ag consultant, titled “Busting myths on the road to water quality” he discussed the significance of nitrogen source and how plants obtain nutrients in healthy soil. He notes that ammonium and nitrate are both inorganic forms of nitrogen, with nitrate being the most likely to leach because of its negative charge and higher water solubility.

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