Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Eric Holder released a statement last Friday following a federal judge’s ruling to award $1.25 billion to Black farmers who alleged discrimination by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

"Since my first day at USDA, I made it a priority to treat all Americans with respect and dignity and to ensure equal access to our programs. Court approval of the Pigford settlement is another important step to ensure some level of justice for black farmers and ranchers who faced discrimination when trying to obtain services from USDA," said Secretary Vilsack. Read the entire statement.

The latest edition of the MIDAS Press newsletter is now available online. This issue of the quarterly publication spotlights Carolyn Cooksie, executive sponsor of MIDAS, and highlights her perspective on the challenges of change. Additional insights into the business transformation that MIDAS will bring also are also provided by members of the MIDAS project team. The topic surrounding change is timely given the approaching completion of blueprinting, a significant project milestone.  Additional articles include recaps of the demo cross-country tour and MIDAS’ involvement at the NASCOE convention. Read the MIDAS Press.

A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress this month will aim to build the next generation of farmers. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011 addresses many of the challenges facing younger farmers, including limited access to land and markets, the high cost of land and a lack of support networks. “We have to make sure America’s next generation of family farmers have the support they need to continue providing a safe, abundant food supply, said Rep. Tim Walz, (D-Minn), a cosponsor of the bill. Read more (The Columbus Telegram).

New Mexico State Executive Director Salomon Ramirez, whose sudden death on Oct. 22, 2011, was a shock to family, friends, coworkers and the entire FSA family, will be laid to rest tomorrow in New Mexico.

“Salomon was a true friend and I very much valued his advice and counsel,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. “He was thought of very highly by everyone he worked with in the Farm Service Agency and USDA. His passing is a loss not only for New Mexico, but for the entire nation.”

Ramirez served more than 35 years at USDA, most recently being appointed by the Obama administration as the New Mexico State Executive Director. Prior to that he was director of FSA’s Production, Emergencies and Compliance Division and served as deputy administrator for Farm Programs.

A native of Rociada, N.M., Ramirez was passionate about helping farmers and enjoyed spending weekends on his family’s ranch where they raised cattle and produced hay. He also was a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas A&M Aggies.

Ramirez is survived by his wife of 34 years, Rosalie Ramirez, daughter Amanda Chavez, son Ryan Ramirez, granddaughter Elana, his mother Angie Ramirez, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and other family members.

The funeral will be held Thurs., Oct. 27 at Santa Maria del la Paz Catholic Church, 11 College Dr., Santa Fe, N.M., at 10 a.m. A rosary will be recited on Wed., Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the church. Friends and colleagues can visit a website dedicated to Ramirez’s life and legacy.

Condolences for the Ramirez family can be sent to:

The Ramirez Family
c/o NM FSA State Office
6200 Jefferson NE, Ste. 211
Albuquerque, NM 87109

by Latawnya Dia, FSA public affairs specialist

The Farm Service Agency is on a mission to save people from hunger and stop the death of millions of children due to malnutrition.

"The U.S. is the world’s largest food aid donor and FSA is often called upon to quickly procure and coordinate food aid deliveries for emergency situations,” says Jim Monahan, FSA deputy administrator for commodity operations. 

With more than 800 million people worldwide suffering from hunger and more than 3.5 million children under the age of five dying of malnutrition, the agency is continuing to work with organizations and purchase food in the form of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs) to meet short-term hunger and long-term development needs in the United States, Africa and other countries.

Continue reading "FSA Plays Vital Role in Feeding the Hungry " »

USDA has decided to cut 12 statistical and commodity reports and reduce the frequency of four other reports in response to budgetary constraints. According to Joe Prusacki with the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the cuts include annual farm number reports, land and farm, livestock operations, bees and honey, and several others. (USDA Radio Newsline) Listen to more.

Recently I was in Des Moines, Iowa, to participate in events leading up to World Food Day. This day is observed each October 16th in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1945. The first World Food Day was held in 1981. Its purpose is to increase worldwide awareness and year-round action to alleviate hunger. Read more (USDA blog).

A $742,526 grant by USDA will provide training to beginning farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma. The yearlong courses consist of business and whole farm planning along with two tracks in horticulture and livestock. (NewsOK).

Crop subsidies in the form of direct payments may be on the chopping block after the debt supercommittee received a recommendation from the Congressional Agriculture Committees to cut $23 billion from farm spending over the next 10 years. But all is not lost. What’s being taken away could be replaced in the form of a crop insurance subsidy. Learn more (NPR).

The fast-spreading Japanese vine that invaded the South now has brought with it a pest that is destroying soybean crops. The kudzu bug or Megacopta cribari is another Asian import first discovered in Atlanta a couple of years ago. Since then, it has spread through Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina. A member of the stink bug family, the kudzu bug can cause more than a 20 percent loss in soybean crops and could spread to other areas in the U.S. where soybeans are grown. Read more (Los Angeles Times).