USDA investing more than $45 million into farmers and agribusinesses

Oct 28, 2016

Funding will help businesses expand

By Diego Flammini
Assistant Editor, North American Content
Farms.com

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the USDA will be providing more than $45 million in grants to help American farmers and agribusinesses expand.

The grants are being administered through the Value-Added Producer Grant program, and about 325 projects will benefit from funding.

"Value-Added Producer Grants are one of USDA's most sought-after funding sources for veteran and beginning farmers, and rural-based businesses," Vilsack said in a release. "These grants provide a much-needed source of financing to help producers develop new product lines and increase their income, and keep that income in their communities.”

Funded projects include:

$250,000 for Moragra PJ Farms in Poplar Grove, Illinois, to help with the handling, verification, sales, marketing and other expenses for its non-GMO corn production business.
$75,000 for the Missouri Soybean Association to conduct a feasibility study and to develop a business plan for a farmer-owned and controlled small-medium size soybean crush and soybean oil refinery for non-GMO/high oleic soybeans.
$250,000 for Cato Corner Farm in Colchester, Connecticut, to expand a dairy and creamery by establishing new types of cheeses, and to increase production of existing cheeses.

Video: Overview of Massey Ferguson's DM Series Triple Mowers

Lucas Dickerson with Massey Ferguson provides an overview of its DM Series Triple Mower, a high-performance mowing solution designed for efficiency, durability, and versatility in hay and forage operations.

This model features an overall working width of 32 feet, with a 12-foot front mower, allowing operators to cover more acres in less time. Built for productivity, it combines proven cutting technology with operator-focused innovations to ensure consistent, high-quality results in every field.

Key features:
>> RazorEdge Cutter Bar is shared with Massey Ferguson’s pull-type mowers for part commonality—farmers can use the same knives, turtles, and components across multiple machines.
>> Herringbone steel-on-steel conditioning rolls provide an industry-exclusive feature that delivers optimal crop crimping performance across a variety of forages.
>> Available with or without ISOBUS capability to accommodate different tractor configurations and customer needs.
>> Front and rear mower suspension provides a smooth ride and consistent cut, while ISOBUS-equipped units allow on-the-go suspension adjustments for better ground following.
>> Simplified part interchangeability means less downtime and lower ownership costs.

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