The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) issued the annual wind industry market report for 2009 last week.
Oregon is now one of the leaders in wind energy. The addition of a wind farm on the west coast pushed the state above Minnesota, one of the leading states.
Currently Oregon sits at the fifth largest producer of wind energy. Over 2009 the country 5,700 new turbines which is enough power for 2.4 million homes. The survey also found that 1.9 percent of the nation’s electricity comes from wind power.
Texas, Iowa, California, Washington and Oregon are the top wind energy-producing states.
Industry experts believe that wind power will grow even more this year with renewable energy standards going into effect in various states. 29 states already have such mandates. Turbines are mostly found on the Pacific Coast and in the Midwest according to the report.
Government subsidies are available for renewable energy additions. For more information visit your local Farm Service Agency office.
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Drought conditions may hurt 1,300 producers that are part of the Klamath Basin irrigation project in Oregon. The project shares water between fish and farms, but many producers fear there won’t be enough water for their crops.
Federal authorities are meeting with Governor Ted Kulongoski at Klamath Falls to determine the future of 200,000 acres. The tough decision needs to protect the endangered fish and meet the needs of producers.
“It is likely that drought conditions will require significant reduction of irrigation deliveries to the farming community,” Kulongoski wrote in a letter to the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.
The agreement was signed only three weeks ago in Salem, after five years of negotiations. It provides funding from Congress for 10 years for conservation. If a drought declaration occurs, low-rate loans will be available for producers through the USDA.
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Gresham, Oregon will be the location of the United States’ largest ground-mounted solar farm.
REC Solar, a design-build solar firm, has teamed up with Sun Edison, the largest solar power distributor, to create the farm.
Upon completion the solar farm will produce 460,000 kilowatts a year. That is enough energy to provide 40-46 American homes with clean, “green” energy.
REC Solar has designed 13 other locations including one in nearby Portland.
The project is funded by the Energy Trust of Oregon.
Farm loan rates starting at 2.99%. Lock in before farm loan rates rise. Contact Farm Plus by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
A USDA survey has found that Oregon farmers are the most tech savy in the western part of the country.
The survey, that is conducted every two years, found that 79 percent of Oregon farmers are most likely to use a computer with their agriculture operations. When comparing farmers feel the computer is just as important as a tractor.
“We know that Oregon farmers and ranchers are savvy when it comes to technology,” says Katy Coba, Oregon Department of Agriculture director. “We have consistently ranked high among all states each time these computer surveys are done. What the latest results show, however, is that many other states are finally catching up to where we have been for the past few years.”
Close behind was Washington, Wyoming and Idaho. New Hampshire leads the country with 83 percent of farmers using computers.
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The American Wind Energy Association released data announcing the top states currently producing wind energy and those that have plans for future wind power projects.
1. Texas. Texas currently has 7,907 megawatts of wind power. 1,102 megawatt are in construction now.
2. Iowa. Iowa has 2,883 megawatts and 210 under construction.
3. California. California has 2,653 megawatts of wind power with 125 under construction.
4. Minnesota. With 1,803 megawatts across the state of 10,000 lakes, Minnesota comes in fourth.
5. Washington. Washington is right behind Minnesota with 1,479 megawatts.
6. Oregon. Oregon currently has 1,363 megawatts of wind power with 126 under construction.
7. New York. New York has 1,262 megawatts today, with 21 under construction.
8. Colorado. As the eighth top state in the United States, Colorado has 1,068 megawatts of wind powered electricity.
Wind power is a growing trend among farms because the government offers great subsidies. For more information on subsidies and farm loans contact Farm Plus today. Farm Plus has many low-rate farm loans for your needs. Call 866-929-5585 for more information on farm loans or visit online.
Grain industry leaders in Oregon, Washington and Idaho wrote a letter to President Obama opposing his proposal to cut payments to farms with revenue over $500,000.
“The purpose of the five-year Farm Bill is to provide stability for producers, agricultural operations and our nation’s food system,” the letter stated. “We believe it’s unwise and unacceptable to dismantle this critical piece of legislation before it has even had a chance to be fully implemented.”
This change would effect over 1,200 Oregon farmers. “The premise is that USDA farm dollars would be going to those who are most in need of money,” Jane Harden, the executive director of the Umatilla County Farm Service Agency told The East Oregonian. “But $500,000 is not much money- it’s actually a very small dollar amount.”
Many expect the proposal to not pass because 50 Congress members already signed a letter opposing it. “Direct payments are necessary to shore up the operating loans needed to make a farm work,” Tammy Dennee of the Oregon Wheat Growers League added.
Denee said the purpose of the letter wasn’t to stop the proposal, but better inform the president of the impact this decision will have. “It’s our opportunity and challenge to help Congress and the new administration understand the interdependence of these programs and how they are viewed in the countryside by growers and their bankers.”
If you are interested in purchasing farm land contact Farm Plus today. Low rate farm loans are available for a variety of needs. Call 866-929-5585d or visit online for more information about farm loans.
Although there are obvious ways such as “non-till farming” to save fuel and fertilizer use and precision irrigation to save water, officials are suggesting innovated ways to make the change.
Using or producing renewable energy is exactly that. Renewable energy can be harvested on farms and the best part is farms can get credit from the government if they choose to do so.
Some farmers produce canola oil to use in biodiesel-powered vehicles, whereas some dairy farmers capture methane gas produced by cows to use in fuel that powers electricity.
Farms may also be energized or produce energy by solar systems, wind turbines, small hydropower facilities and geothermal systems.
For more information download a brochure on renewable energy here.
If you would like to start a green farm or if you’d like to acquire cash through a refinance for green improvements to your property contact Farm Plus Financial. Farm loans are available today and a representative is ready to assist you with farm loans. Call 866-929-5585 or visit online for more information regarding farm loans.
The Mills Mint Farm of Stanfield will be honored as the winner of the 2008 Cooperator of the Year. The Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District hand the award out yearly.
The Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District’s mission statement is: “To conserve, protect and develop soil, water, and other natural resources for the economic and environmental benefit of the residents of Umatilla County.”
The award is going to the Mills Mint Farm because it is involved in conservation in many ways. The farm, that started as a dairy farm in 1950, grows sweet corn, sugar snap peas, grass seed, alfalfa and wheat on 3,000 acres of farmland.
The award will be given to The Mills Mint Farm on January 29 at the Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District annual meeting. Tickets are available to attend the event.
If you are interested in Farm Loan financing for your Oregon farm or Oregon ranch property you can reach Farm Plus Financial by clicking here or calling toll free 866-929-5585.
As part of Oregon’s 150th birthday celebration, five farms will be honored at the state’s capitol. The awards, recognized by the Oregon Century Farm and Ranch Program, will be given to families who have maintained at least a portion of their farm for 150 years. The farms have also received their Century Farm award status in 1958 or 1959.
The families being honored are:
*Donald C. Goodrich and Eunice M. Goodrich- The William Goodrich Farm founded in 1848 in Yamhill County.
*Marian L. Gray- The Jeremiah Rowland Farm founded in 1844 in Yamhill County.
*William Hoyt- Ira Hawley Farm founded in 1852 in Lane County.
*Leland R. Montgomery- William Grimes Montgomery Farm founded in 185501866 in Linn County.
*Rebecca Owen- Nicholas Sprenger Farm founded in 1852 in Linn County.
The awards will be handed out February 14 in Hearing Room F at the Capitol at 1 p.m. Speakers include spokespeople from the Oregon Century Farm and Ranch Program, Oregon Department of Agriculture, The Oregon Farm Bureau and the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation.
The award in its second year, 14 families received the award last year.
If you are interested in joining the tradition and purchasing a farm or ranch, contact Farm Plus Financial for more information on farm financing.
Legislators in Salem, Oregon are considering passing a bill that puts Oregon-grown food from the farm into school lunchrooms. It is known as the “farm to school” bill. Many feel it is a way to help family owned farms get business, but it is also to improve school lunch programs brining healthy, organic food to the children’s plates.
The bill not only supplies healthy food, but it also supports Oregon agriculture. The marketplace would be a constant support of the industry. Farms, ranches and manufacturers would benefit from the program. The legislation would fit right in with the plan of the new U.S. secretary of agriculture, Tom Vilsack.
Some senators are concerned that Vilsack will neglect to acknowledge the different types of organic farmers, despite Vilsack’s support for the industry. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the USDA needs to prioritize resources because there are the small farms on 40 organic acres growing crops, but there are also the production farmers with 10,000 acres who practice alternative agriculture. Roberts’ seems to be more concerned for the big production farms than the family.
When looking at Oregon Agriculture, families operate 98 percent of farms.
Video footage of representatives Tina Kotek and Brian Klem speaking about the Farm to School legislation.
