Recently passed, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Bill) will provide some opportunities for agriculture.Many producers have jokingly asked when they were going to get a “bailout.” Dairy producers, for example, are receiving 50 percent less for their milk than last year. In the meantime, production costs have not come down – except fuel is now a lot lower than in previous years.

As for the stimulus spending that is required now by law, agriculture does appear to get a cut. FSA will have a significant increase in loan funding for farm ownership

and operating loans. The interest rate is about 2 percent for various term loans.

More information is available from the FSA Farm Loan Center in Mercer, 724- 662-2890.

Rural Development will have grant funds available for specific projects that involve Renewable Energy, Alternative Energy and Value Added Products.

Although many of the details have yet to be announced, producers that are on board early could be rewarded. Individual producers, groups of producers or Co-ops could be eligible. Now is the time to assess your needs. For example, a Value Added producer qualifies for a grant to purchase a bagger capable of bagging horse feed, bird seed, deer corn, etc. By purchasing the bagger the producer is adding value to his product which in turn increases revenue to the farm. This is just one example; there are many possibilities. Program details are yet to be announced but information when available can be obtained from Rural Development, 724-482-4800, Ext. 4. Another opportunity is available from NRCS. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) recently was announced nationwide. Eligible land includes lands that have been damaged by flooding at least twice in the previous ten years, or at least once in the past 12 months.

Lands must be privately owned, or owned by state or local units of government. Land does not have to have buildings or structures on it to be eligible. Assistance is available to purchase permanent floodplain easements as well as provide 100 percent of the cost to restore floodplain areas to the natural conditions by establishing permanent vegetation or installing minor structural practices to reduce erosion. Removal of structures obstructing the proper functioning of the flood plain such as buildings, mill dams, dikes, and fences, including the purchase of flood damaged houses are also covered under the program. For more information, contact the Natural Resources Conservation Office at 724-482- 4800, Ext. 108 by March 27.

Luke Fritz is executive director of the Butler County Farm Service Agency.