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Vilsack to Announce New Loans for Beginners and Small Farms

Up To $35,000 Now Available in Microloans for Farmers

By , Farms.com

U.S Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce today that new loans are now available to those interested in starting a farming business or existing farmers looking to expand their small farming operations. The intent behind the microloans is to help small family-farms expand their businesses and allowing new entrants to farming a means to secure start-up financing.

The loans are also extended to veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers who may not otherwise qualify for traditional farms loans or loans from other programs offered by the U.S.D.A.

These loans can be used to produce organic crops that can be sold directly to farmers markets, buy delivery vehicles, seeds, tools, fertilizers and irrigation equipment, among other things. The new loan program uses a simplified application process which makes applying even easier.


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Governor Shapiro Visits Biodigester at Dickinson College Farm

Video: Governor Shapiro Visits Biodigester at Dickinson College Farm

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro visited the Dickinson College Farm to see the innovative biodigester project, which is turning farm and food waste into green energy. Food waste and manure are fed into the anerobic digester creating biogas, which can be used for cooking, heating and generating electricity. Dickinson College Farm's energy & livestock manager Matt Steiman says the new digester will process the manure from the neighbor’s 150 dairy cows plus two tons of food waste every day. The project will generate enough renewable energy to power the farm and will export additional energy to power 30 homes. The project will also reduce water pollution to local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.