K-State Survey Indicates Lower Farmland Prices, More Non-Performing Loans in the Short-Term Outlook

Released: June 4, 2015



MANHATTAN, Kan. – Agricultural lenders are reporting decreased farmland values and increases in non-performing farm loans. According to the results of an Agricultural Lender Survey conducted by the Kansas State University Department of Agricultural Economics in March, this is a continuation of a trend witnessed in the end-of-year survey conducted in 2014.



“For the first time since we began this survey, the majority of respondents thought land values declined,” said Allen Featherstone, professor and department head of the K-State Department of Agricultural Economics. Additionally, he mentioned that the long-term expectation also pointed to declines in land values.



Researchers pointed to uncertainty in the markets regarding interest rates and competition amongst the lenders as some of the long-term factors in the results, which still showed a strong credit market for producers. Lenders cited lower commodity prices, rising operating costs and the softening of cash rents. Combining these with a decrease in farmland prices created concern in the long-term financial health of the farming sector.



However, in reference to the increase in non-performing loans, Featherstone said he believes the market is just cycling back to a normal state. The study indicated a stronger market of loan availability in the agricultural market, which would benefit producers in the future. Research shows that bankers are still interested in agricultural investments, but experts say the farmers are going to have to show a strong investment plan.



“Producers are going to encounter cautious lenders,” Featherstone said. “Farmers will have to be well-prepared and document plans going forward to continue to access credit at good rates.”



The Agricultural Lender Survey included 39 lending institution responses. Lenders in the survey considered five key areas: farm loan interest rates, spread over cost of funds, farm loan volumes, non-performing loan volumes and agricultural land values.



Various K-State Department of Agricultural Economics researchers developed and conducted the survey, including Brady Brewer, recent doctoral graduate; Brian Briggeman, associate professor and director of the Arthur Capper Cooperative Center; Allen Featherstone; and Christine Wilson, professor.



For more information about the outlook for agricultural credit conditions and commentary on areas of concern within agriculture, go to the K-State Agricultural Lender Survey http://www.ageconomics.k-state.edu/research/ag-lender-survey/index.html.

Organic Allentown Farmers' Markets Announced Rodale Institute to Increase Access to Organic Foods

June 3, 2015 (Allentown)  Rodale Institute, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach, announced the June grand opening of two Organic Allentown farmers’ markets. The 'all organic' markets are part of the Organic Allentown initiative, a partnership of the City of Allentown and Rodale Institute to create a city-wide culture around urban organic agriculture. Allentown mayor, Ed Pawlowski, will officiate two ribbon-cutting ceremonies to commemorate the grand opening of the markets.
The first market, called 'Rodale Institute Organic Market at the Y' will open on Saturday, June 6th and run from 9 am – 1 pm in the parking lot of the YMCA/YWCA building  located at 425 S. 15th Street. The second market is called 'Rodale Institute Organic Market on 7th' and will open Saturday, June 13th, running from 10 am – 2 pm in the parking lot of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church located at 417 N. 7th Street. Both markets will run every Saturday up through October 31st. Two ribbon-cutting ceremonies will be held, one at each market, with both ceremonies beginning at 10 am.

These farmers’ markets were developed to provide low-income community members improved access to a safer and more nutrient-rich diet through USDA certified organic foods which are grown without synthetic chemicals. To promote this mission, both farmers’ markets will accept payment via SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. In April of this year, the USDA awarded Rodale Institute a grant to reduce prices for SNAP users through a dollar-for-dollar match. For example, SNAP users who buy $10 worth of organic produce at the farmers’ markets pay only $5 from their SNAP accounts, with the other $5 matched by the USDA grant. Local, organic produce is half-off for SNAP users with this unique deal.

The following is a list of vendors confirmed for each market.

Rodale Institute Organic Farmers’ Market at the Y:

Real Gardens Farm Stand – www.realgardensfarmstand.com
Amurie – www.amurie.com
Hermosa Soap Co. – www.hermosasoaps.com
Monocacy Coffee Co. – www.monocacycoffee.com
Made By Lino – www.madebylino.com
Saxman Breads – www.saxmanbreads.com
Rodale Institute Produce Stand – www.rodaleinstitute.org
Rodale Institute Organic Farmers’ Market on 7th:

V-lish Vegan Soup Co. – www.facebook.com/v-lishvegansoupcompany
Amurie – www.amurie.com
Hermosa Soap Co. – www.hermosasoaps.com
Saxman Breads – www.saxmanbreads.com
Rodale Institute Produce Stand – www.rodaleinstitute.org
“Our main goal is to increase organic food access and choices for the residents of Allentown,” said Jesse Barrett, Organic Allentown Program Manager. According to the USDA, some areas of Allentown are considered “food deserts,” where low-income residents have low access to fresh, healthy foods and are long distances from supermarkets or large grocery stores. Often times, even the closest grocery stores are not likely to carry fresh organic produce at affordable prices.

To make organic food more accessible, Rodale Institute staff will provide cooking demonstrations, easy-to-follow recipes, and nutritional guides for market-goers. Rodale Institute is also partnering with Allentown YMCA/YWCA, led by the organization’s CEO Jim Finchum, to conduct an organic-eating initiative for children. A friendly “Healthy Eating Nutrition Competition” will be held over the course of the season, where kids win when they eat their veggies.

Apply Now for Farm Bureau Women’s Communications Boot Camp

WASHINGTON, D.C. June 4, 2015 – The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting applications for the 2015 Women’s Communications Boot Camp, set for Oct. 13-16 in Washington, D.C.

The intensive training is open to all women who are Farm Bureau members. The program focuses on enhancing communication and leadership skills within the agriculture industry, and includes targeted training in the areas of public speaking, media relations, messaging and advocacy.

Sherry Saylor, an Arizona row crop farmer who chairs the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, said participants gain tremendous confidence in using communication tools to address agricultural topics.

“It is so important for those of us in agriculture to be transparent about what we do to produce food,” Saylor said. “The women who participate in boot camp become confident and powerful voices for rural communities across the nation, allowing our positive message about the agriculture industry to expand.”

Saylor said women are important representatives of agriculture, particularly in speaking with the public and reaching out through social media. The Women’s Communications Boot Camp is vital for producing powerful advocates for the agriculture industry, Saylor said.

Fifteen women will be selected to participate in this year’s program, which is sponsored by the AFBWLC. Applications are available online through state Farm Bureaus. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday, June 30. All applicants will be notified of their status by July 31.

The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership program provides women with the training and education they need to encourage positive change in their communities and within agriculture. For more information, visit fb.org.

DeLauro, Sánchez Introduce Legislation to Stop Five-Year Olds from Falling Into the Nutrition Gap

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswomen Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Linda Sánchez (D-CA) today introduced the Wise Investment in our Children (WIC) Act. The bill would increase the age limit for children participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) for one additional year, from five to six.

“WIC currently provides nutrition services for children only up to a child’s fifth birthday, when it is assumed that they will enroll in kindergarten and be eligible for school meals,” DeLauro said. “However many children do not enter school until well after their fifth birthday. By expanding WIC to age six we close that gap and ensure children have a strong health and nutrition foundation. No child should be placed at a nutritional disadvantage simply because of when their birthdate falls.”

“By extending the age limit of children participating in WIC by one year, we ensure they receive the nutritional services needed until they’re actually eligible for school meals,” said Sánchez. “This is common sense legislation, and further improves an already effective program. In my state of California alone, 84 WIC agencies provide services to over 1.45 million participants each month at over 650 sites. I know this success is shared across the country. By passing this bill, we close a critical gap in support, and make certain that our families can continue to rely on the services they need.”

The legislation is supported by Witnesses to Hunger, Children’s HealthWatch and the National WIC Association.

“The nutrition gap between WIC and school shouldn’t put America’s children at nutrition, health, or learning risks because of their birth dates and local rules. Continuing WIC nutrition services for children up to age six assures that all children are protected by WIC’s essential nutrition safety net until they enter school. The Wise Investment in our Children Act does just that,” said Rev. Douglas A. Greenaway, President & CEO of the National WIC Association.

Dr. Evelyn F. Crayton, RDN, LDN, FAND, a registered dietitian nutritionist and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ 2015-2016 President said: “The WIC program recently celebrated 40 years of success in providing healthy beginnings to millions of children and families. Investing in mother and their children’s health and nutrition is critical to a strong future for our country. Allowing children to stay with the WIC program up to the age of six will ensure they are ready to learn when they enroll in kindergarten.”

Dr. Diana Becker Cutts, MD, pediatrician at Hennepin County Medical Center and Principal Investigator with Children’s HealthWatch, said: “WIC hits a research-based, cost-effective, proven homerun for my youngest patients.  At first base, it begins with enhancing prenatal nutrition before birth, at second base it increases access to healthy nutrition for infants and kids, at third base is WIC's on-going nutrition education and guidance for parents.  Ensuring that young children receive these essential supports until age 6 without a gap, as the Wise Investment in our Children Act would do, would help bring kids into home base with the healthy start in life they need and deserve.”