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Wisconsin Ag News Headlines
FSA Director Recognizes National FFA Week
By Brad Pfaff, Wisconsin Farm Service Agency - 02/26/2015

Agriculture is important to me. Raised on a family farm in northern La Crosse County, agriculture and farming is what I knew. My parents farmed; as did the parents of my friends. As a student, I naturally sought involvement in FFA. FFA provided me with leadership, direction and opportunities. This week, February 21-28, is National FFA week.

As the State Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency in Wisconsin, I ask you to join me in celebrating the work of the FFA. FFA provides our nation's students with an opportunity for personal and professional growth through agriculture education. Through our lending and price support programs, FSA provides opportunities for new participants to engage in American agriculture.

FSA provides a number of affordable lending opportunities. For example, the Youth Loan program provides up to $5000 in lending to individuals between the age of 10-20 to help establish and operate income producing projects with their FFA, 4-H club, and other similar-type organizations. This program is available in both rural and urban areas.

Another exciting lending opportunity is the Microloan program. With its simplified application process and loans up to $50,000 for new and niche family farm operations, the Microloan program has provided credit opportunities for those who may not be able to find lending elsewhere. Since its introduction two years ago, more than 70 percent of microloans have gone to beginning farmers, making it one of FSA's fastest growing programs. Like Youth loans, the Microloan is also available in rural and urban areas.

Weather also plays a critical role in agriculture production. Sometimes it rains too much, sometime not enough. FSA's Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program assists growers of specialty crops that are traditionally not covered by crop insurance. New and underserved farmers can qualify for free catastrophic coverage; expanded protections are also available for significantly discounted premiums.

One of the biggest challenges when entering agriculture can be the cost of land. That is why our Transitions Incentives Program, part of the Conservation Reserve Program, may help. This program allows retiring farmers to receive two more years of payments if they sell or rent CRP land to new farmers who return the land to production.

Thanks to FFA, and the many chapters throughout our state, Wisconsin is in a great position to develop the next generation of agricultural leaders. The USDA Farm Service Agency is here to help. This year, celebrate National FFA Week by encouraging young farmers to believe their dream of making Wisconsin agriculture stronger than we have ever known.


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