USDA to begin 150th anniversary celebration in Virginia

The top-ranking U.S. Agriculture Department official visited the hometown of the founder of the agency he leads to begin marking its 150th anniversary, according to a press release.

Department secretary Tom Vilsack visited the Old Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to commence one year of celebrations for the department President Abraham Lincoln signed into law in 1862.

"Through our work on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and a host of issues, USDA still fulfills President Lincoln's vision as "The People's Department" - touching the lives of every American, every day," said Vilsack. "As we commemorate 150 years, we will look for lessons from the past that can help us strengthen USDA in the future to address the changing needs of agriculture and rural America."

By establishing the Department of Agriculture, Lincoln viewed potential ahead for farmers in America and their strategies of tilling the land to make it productive, according to the Agriculture Department.

The Agriculture Department underscores the valuable contributions that ranchers and farmers make to U.S. strength and health.

The federal agency is scheduled to formally begin marking the 150th anniversary in February 2012 at the Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum in Arlington, Virginia.

Pennsylvania to receive USDA funding for anaerobic digester projects

Anaerobic digester projects in eight states - including Pennsylvania - will be funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The federal entity said that it was pursuing the projects to cut down on farm-based pollution, spark renewable energy production and to lower energy costs. Anaerobic digesters are bacteria that break down manure in environments that are oxygen free, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The initiative will be funded by the USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), which has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 14.5 million metric tons and helped to significantly reduce electricity consumption.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said that the efforts will help small farmers move forward with new revenue streams.

"Since its creation this program has assisted almost 9,600 small businesses, farmers and ranchers and created or saved an estimated 15,000 jobs," he said in a statement. "It also provides producers with new opportunities to diversify revenue and make American agriculture and rural small business more competitive."

According to FarmAndDairy.com, three anaerobic digester projects will be funded in Pennsylvania.

USDA crop insurance education program to target Mid-Atlantic states

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced that it would begin an education and outreach program to teach small farmers in 47 states about crop insurance.

The USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) will have about $13.6 million in funding - from two different sources - to help teach farmers how to remain productive while managing risk, according to a release from the federal body. Proper risk management will likely help producers handle their farm credit.

Sixteen states will receive extra attention in the effort because they have been underserved in respect to farm insurance education in the past. These states include Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the RMA's program will be important for farmers in the targeted states, as well as those in other parts of the country.

"USDA is committed to diversity, inclusion and performance in everything we do, and we need to continue to ensure opportunities in agriculture for all Americans," he said. "Through these partnerships, traditionally underserved agricultural producers and those in targeted states will receive assistance in understanding and using risk management tools."

The RMA was established in 1996 to help farmers and agricultural producers better manage their businesses' risks.

Farm credit crop insurance agents are also available to answer any producers’ questions about the programs. They can be reached at 888.339.3334.

$18,000 in scholarships available through MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Westminster MD (October 31, 2011)—MidAtlantic Farm Credit announces the availability of twelve scholarships totaling over $18,000 for members or children of members who plan to attend or are continuing their education at a two- or four-year college or a technical school on a full-time basis.

Applications are available at any of MidAtlantic’s office or you can apply online by visiting their website at mafc.com. Applications must be received by January 13, 2012; winners will be selected by February 24, 2012. Winners will be recognized at MidAtlantic’s annual stockholder meetings in April.

“As a member-owned cooperative, we take a strong interest in the future success of our members,” says Bob Frazee, President and CEO of MidAtlantic. “We feel it is important to help promote the education of our membership—current and future—and our scholarship program is one way in which we’re doing that. Programs like this that advance our membership towards their goals, are just one more benefit of belonging to a cooperative.”

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 10,500 members and approximately $2.2 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit mafc.com.



Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

Farm Credit Showcases Local Foods to Congress

Farm Credit Showcases Local Foods to Congress

Washington, DC—Four local Farm Credit associations recently hosted an event for Legislators and their legislative assistants. The event, held May 25, featured produce and gourmet dishes all grown by Farm Credit member-borrowers in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Over 175 elected officials and staff members attended the event, which has been held annually since 1995.

“This event is a great opportunity to remind our legislators how important agriculture is to the health and economy of the country,” said Dave Lawrence, CEO of Farm Credit of the Virginias, one of the Farm Credit organizations that sponsored the event.

“So many members of Congress are from urban centers, and they’re not as familiar with the challenges that rural Americans face,” said Bob Frazee, CEO of MidAtlantic Farm Credit, which serves Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. “This event is a great opportunity to educate them on farming, and the need for a stable source of capital for agriculture.”
Congressmen Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Tim Holden (D-PA) served as co-hosts of the event.

Farm Credit is a nationwide cooperative lender, with over 500,000 member-borrowers, and a portfolio of over $160 billion in the United States.

Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

Results of Elections Announced by MidAtlantic Farm Credit

Westminster MD (May 16, 2011) – MidAtlantic Farm Credit, an agricultural lending cooperative, recently announced the results of their annual election of board and nominating committee members.

The following were elected to serve on the cooperative’s board of directors: Paul D. Baumgardner, Emmitsburg, MD; Gary L. Grossnickle, Walkersville, MD; Dale R. Hershey, Manheim, PA; T. Jeffery Jennings, Luray, VA; M. Wayne Lambertson, Pocomoke City, MD; Dale J. Ockels, Milton, DE; Lingan T. Spicer, Church Creek, MD; and Christopher R. Stiles, Berryville, VA.

Elected to serve on the 2012 nominating committee were: C. Breckenridge Debnam, Chestertown, MD; Jerry A. Burner, Luray, VA; Charles R. Garber, Timberville, VA; Lawrence Z. Good, Womelsdorf, PA; Douglas W. Green, Princess Anne, MD; Rodney G. Harbaugh, Rocky Ridge, MD; Burton D. Messick, Laurel, DE; Henry T. Oakley, Sr., Salisbury, MD; James Brian Quinn, Kennedyville, MD; Jeremy J. Wagerman, Taneytown, MD; Jay L. Weaver, Myerstown, PA; and Fred N. West, III, Frankford, DE

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is an agricultural lending cooperative owned by its member-borrowers. It provides farm loans for land, equipment, livestock and production; crop insurance; and rural home mortgages. The co-op has over 10,500 members and approximately $2.3 billion in loans outstanding. MidAtlantic has branches serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. It is part of the national Farm Credit System, a network of financial cooperatives established in 1916 to provide a dependable source of credit to farmers and rural America. For more information, visit mafc.com.



Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com

MidAtlantic Farm Credit announces stockholder meeting dates

Westminster, MD (March 14, 2011) – Customers of MidAtlantic Farm Credit (MAFC) should plan to attend one of the sectional stockholders’ meetings scheduled in April. Meeting attendees will join fellow stockholders, directors and staff of MAFC for a meal and fellowship as well as hear an update on the association’s plans for 2011. Entertainment will follow the business portion of the meeting at all locations.

Registration for the meetings will begin at 6:15 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. The meeting dates and sites are as follows:
• April 5 The Fountains, Salisburgy MD
• April 6 Modern Maturity Center, Dover DE
• April 7 Yoder’s Restaurant, New Holland PA
• April 12 Walkersville Fire Hall, Walkersville MD
• April 13 Millwood Station, Winchester VA

Eligible stockholders will participate in the election of directors and nominating committee members at the meeting. In addition, mail-in ballots will be sent to all eligible voting stockholders home address on April 20. MidAtlantic President, Bob Frazee, invites all stockholders to attend the meeting most convenient to them. “It was another successful year for MidAtlantic,” noted Frazee. “I hope many of our customers will attend to hear a brief report on last year’s financial results and to learn what management has planned this year to try and repeat last year’s results.”

MidAtlantic Farm Credit is one of the largest agricultural lenders on the east coast. They are part of the national Farm Credit System, a cooperative lender with more than 500,000 borrowers and a portfolio of over $160 billion in the United States.

Media Contact:
Sandy Wieber
Vice President of Marketing
MidAtlantic Farm Credit
800.333.7950
swieber@mafc.com