$15 Minimum Wage is Too Much

A view of the proposed $15 minimum wage:

Go to http://riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com/2016/01/71065/farmers-15-minimum-wage-is-too-much/ to check it out.

Registration Deadline Approaches for the Agricultural Outlook Forum

From the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding those interested in attending this year's Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Transforming Agriculture," that early registration is available through Jan. 29.

The Agricultural Outlook Forum, now in its 92nd year, is the USDA's largest annual meeting, attracting 1,600 attendees. Along with the plenary panel discussion "Providing Leadership for Present and Future Generations in the Transformation of Agriculture," attendees can choose from 30 sessions with more than 80 speakers and a host of agriculture related exhibits.

The forum is a platform facilitating conversation on key issues and topics within the agricultural community, including producers, processors, policy makers, government officials and NGOs, both foreign and domestic.

The two-day meeting will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va., Feb. 25–26.

Infant Who Drank Almond Milk Contracts Scurvy

A child contracts scurvy by drinking only almond milk drink.

Go to http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/01/19/infant-who-drank-almond-milk-contracts-scurvy/79000270/ to see the story.

New York Chips to Hit Wegmans Shelves This Weekend

Great story from colleagues at the Daily News in Batavia:

Go to http://www.thedailynewsonline.com/bdn01/new-york-chips-to-hit-wegmans-shelves-this-weekend-20160120

Maple School This Week in Croghan

Two maple events are coming up later this week.

They are:

6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Jan. 22, Croghan
Beginner Maple School
Basics for new and small producers, $5/person at American Maple Museum, 9756 State Route 812/Main Street. Register with Michele Ledoux, CCE Lewis County, 315.376.5270

9 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., Jan. 23, Croghan Winter Maple School at the American Maple Museum
$15 pre-registration by Jan. 20, $20 at the door, at American Maple Museum, 9756 State Route 812/Main Street. Register with Michele Ledoux, CCE Lewis County, 376-5270, or go to https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/mapleschooleventregistration_223

USDA Offering Farm Ownership Microloans

From the USDA:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. 

These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, U.S. veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations.

“Many producers, especially new and underserved farmers, tell us that access to land is one of the biggest challenges they face in establishing and growing their own farming operation,” said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. “USDA is making it easier for new farmers to hit the ground running and get access to the land that they need to establish their farms or improve their property.”

The microloan program, which celebrates its third anniversary this week, has been hugely successful, providing more than 16,800 low-interest loans, totaling over $373 million to producers across the country. 

Microloans have helped farmers and ranchers with operating costs, such as feed, fertilizer, tools, fencing, equipment, and living expenses since 2013. Seventy percent of loans have gone to new farmers.

Now, microloans will be available to also help with farm land and building purchases, and soil and water conservation improvements. Farm Service Agency designed the expanded program to simplify the application process, expand eligibility requirements and expedite smaller real estate loans to help farmers strengthen their operations. 

Microloans provide up to $50,000 to qualified producers, and can be issued to the applicant directly from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA).

This microloan announcement is another USDA resource for America’s farmers and ranchers to utilize, especially as new and beginning farmers and ranchers look for the assistance they need to get started. 

To learn more about the FSA microloan program visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans or contact your local FSA office. 

Organic Farm Outside Ogdensburg Plans Slaughterhouse and Store

Great story from the Watertown Daily Times:

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/news05/certified-organic-farm-outside-ogdensburg-plans-slaughterhouse-store-20160118?utm_source=4ae6Vp&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=wdt.me&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com to check it out.