Maurer to director the Farm Service agency in Ohio
The Obama Administration has Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. He previously served as state executive include facilitating income support, dis-
announced that Steven Maurer will serve Maurer is currently the Chief of the director for USDA Farm Service Agency aster assistance and conservation pro-
as Ohio state executive director for the Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, in Ohio, from 1993 to 2001. Prior to that, grams, providing operating loans for the
Farm Service Agency at the USDA. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Mauer was the director of the Ohio procurement of farm equipment, seed
“Steven Maurer has a solid under- — a position he has held since 2007. The Department of Agriculture from 1986 and fertilizer, as well as offering owner-
standing of the challenges and opportu- Division of Natural Areas and Preserves to 1991. ship loans to help new and veteran pro-
nities facing our rural communities and protects a system of 133 State Nature USDA’s Farm Service Agency works ducers purchase a farm. FSA also works
will help build on the Obama Preserves, administers the Ohio Scenic to increase economic opportunity and to procure various commodities to bene-
Administration’s efforts to rebuild and River Program, and maintains a database improve the quality of life for rural fit low-income families through domestic
revitalize rural America,” said of threatened and endangered species. Americans. Some of the agency’s efforts food assistance programs.
Rise of U.S. farm production expenditures slows in 2008
U.S. Farm Production Expenditures The top three average expenditures per Average 2008 Total Expenditures for Illinois with $14.8 billion (2007 — $12.4
totaled $307 billion in 2008 and $284 billion farm with the largest dollar increase were: the largest economic class of farms ($5 billion), Minnesota with $14.1 billion
for the revised 2007 crop year, according to Feed up $2,325, or 12.2%; Fertilizer, Lime, million and Over) were $11.4 million, 6.4 (2007 — $12.9 billion), and Kansas with
the Farm Production Expenditures 2008 and Soil Conditioners up $2,208, or 27.4%; times larger than the next largest eco- $13.2 billion (2007 — $14.2 billion).
Summary released last month by the Tractors and Self Propelled Machinery up nomic class with farms $1,000,000 to The U.S. Economic Sales Class con-
National Agricultural Statistics Service. The $1,286, or 32.8%; and Rent up $1252, up $4,999,999 averaging $1.8 million, fol- tributing most to the 2008 U.S. Farm
2008 Total Farm Expenditures rose 8.3% 14%. All other per farm average increases lowed by the $500,000 to $999,999 eco- Production Expenditures was the $1 mil-
compared to the 2007 rise of 19.2% over were less than $1,200 dollars per farm. nomic class of farms averaging $0.7 mil- lion and over class, with expenses of $140.7
2006. The 2007 revised estimate is up from Total Fuels Expense, at $16 billion, was lion. The average Total Expenditure for a billion, 46% of the U.S. total. Expenditures
the preliminary estimate by $23.5 billion up 18.5% in 2008. Diesel, the largest sub- Crop farm was $175,141 compared with in the $1 million and over class were up
due to significant summary adjustments component, was $9.86 billion accounting $113,390 per Livestock farm. 9% from the 2007 level of $128.8 billion. It
based on 2007 Census farm numbers. for 61.6% of the Fuels Expense. Gasoline Total Expenditures by Farm Production was followed by the $500,000 to $999,999
The largest percentage contributors to was $3.01 billion, up 7.9%. LP Gas was Expenditure Region were up for all five class with $51.8 billion (2007 — $46.1 bil-
the year over year increase were Other $2.03 billion, up 23.0%. Other Fuels was regions in 2008. The Midwest had the high- lion) and the $250,000 to $499,999 class
Farm Machinery, up 34.1%; Tractors & Self $1.10 billion, up 27.9%. est increase at 13%, followed by the West with $37.4 billion (2007 — $34.3 billion).
Propelled Machinery, up 32.6%; Fertilizer, The four largest expenditures at the U.S. up 11%. In 2008, Crop Farms expenditures
Lime, and Soil Conditioners, up 27.1%; level totaled $143 billion and accounted for The Midwest region contributed the increased to $165.9 billion and Livestock
Seeds & Plants, up 19.8%; Fuels, up 18.5%; 46.5% of Total Farm Production most to U.S. Total Farm Production Farms expenditures increased to $141.1 bil-
and Rent, up 13.7%. Expense items show- Expenditures in 2008. They were Feed, Expenditures with expenses of $91.2 billion lion. The largest expenditures for Crop
ing decreases from the previous year 15.3%; Farm Services, 12.4%; Labor, 9.7%; or 30%, up from $80.7 billion in 2007. The Farms were Farm Services at $21.9 billion
included Interest and Livestock & Poultry. and Livestock & Poultry, 9.2%. other regions ranked by Total Expenditures and Labor at $20.4 billion, accounting for
Rising fertilizer prices and weather In 2008, the average per farm U.S. are: Plains at $74.2 billion (24%); West at 25% of their total expenses. Combined crop
were two large factors affecting farm pro- Total Farm Expenditure was $140,075 $68.7 billion (22%); Atlantic at $39.0 billion inputs (chemicals, fertilizer and seed) were
duction expenditures, during the year. compared with $129,062, an increase of (13%); and South at $34.0 billion (11%). $43.2 billion, accounting for 26% of Crop
Fertilizer, up 27.1% over previous year, was 8.5% over 2007. On average, U.S. farm California contributed most to the Farms total expenses. The largest expendi-
the fastest expanding non-capital expense. operations spent: $21,398 on Feed, 2008 U.S. Total Farm Expenditures, with tures for Livestock Farms were Feed at
The increased cost of crude oil continued $17,337 on Farm Services, $13,550 on expenses of $32.3 billion, or 11% of the $43.3 billion, accounting for 31% of total
to drive up the cost of several production Labor, $12,912 on Livestock and Poultry U.S. total expenditures. California expen- expenses, followed by Livestock and
inputs in 2008. This directly translated into Purchases, $10,265 on Fertilizer, Lime ditures were up 15% from the revised Poultry Purchases, at $25.1 billion account-
rising fuel cost, and influenced fertilizer and Soil Conditioners, and $10,220 on estimate of $28.0 billion in 2007. Texas, ing for 18% of total expenses. Together
products, chemicals and transportation Rent. Revised estimates for 2007 indicate the next leading state, contributed 7% to they accounted for 48% of Livestock Farms
costs. Persistent snow and rain in the U.S. farms spent an average of: $19,073 the 2008 U.S. Total Farm Expenditures. total expenses.
Midwest in the spring set the stage for his- on Feed, $16,752 on Farm Services, Other states with more than $10 billion in For further information on USDA farm
toric flooding in Iowa in June. This con- $15,022 on Livestock and Poultry Total Expenditures were: Iowa with $22.4 expenditures, visit
trasted with the driest March through May Purchases, $13,019 on Labor, and $8,968 billion (2007 — $19.4 billion), Nebraska www.nass.usda.gov/QuickStats/indexby-
in California in 114 years. on Rent. with $16.6 billion (2007 — $15.9 billion), subject.jsp?Pass_group=Economics.
Ohio Gov. Strickland endorses new energy future
Leadership in the movement to a new with renewable resources by the In his letter to 25x’25 leadership, by 2025 and changing the regulatory
energy future is being demonstrated at year 2025. Strickland recognized “the 25x’25 landscape to expand the state’s capability
the state level by the endorsement of the The support of the Ohio State 25x’25 Initiative’s effort to reduce the nation’s to use wind, solar and other renewable
25x’25 Vision by Governors Ted Alliance was critical in gaining reliance of foreign sources of energy and energy technologies. The state has also
Strickland of Ohio and Pat Quinn of Strickland’s endorsement, which was create the jobs of the future here in Ohio taken long strides in the production of
Illinois. They become the 33rd and 34th detailed in a letter released by his office and across the country.” biofuels, including the location of the
chief state executives to endorse the goal to 25x’25 Steering Committee Co-chairs Strickland signed into law last year a nation’s largest biodiesel plant in Ohio.
of American farms, ranches and forest- Bill Richards (an Ohio farmer) and J. measure that requires 25% of Ohio’s For more on the 25x’25 Initiative, go
land meeting 25% of U.S. energy needs Read Smith. energy to come from advanced sources to www.25x25.org.
Ohio one of 18 states to receive nutrition grants for children
On Sept. 1, Agriculture Secretary Tom being of America’s children is a top priority by incorporating the principles of the In addition to Team Nutrition, FNS
Vilsack awarded approximately $5.8 mil- of the Obama Administration as we work Dietary Guidelines for Americans and encourages elementary schools to take
lion in Team Nutrition Training Grants to to confront the obesity epidemic that affects MyPyramid. the HealthierUS School Challenge, pro-
18 states, including $226,461 to Ohio, to too many of our children,” Vilsack said. States will provide training and techni- motes the use of USDA Foods, and pro-
help children develop good nutrition and “We must continue encouraging children to cal assistance to food service staff in prepar- vides schools with technical assistance to
physical activity habits for healthier eat healthy and to engage in daily physical ing more fruits and vegetables, whole-grain create and maintain healthier school
lifestyles. This funding provides schools activity to help them stay healthy and products, and other healthier foods during environments and to implement their
with nutrition education materials for chil- strong and reduce their risks for obesity.” the two-year grant period. The grants also wellness policies.
dren and parents as well as technical assis- Team Nutrition is a key component in support efforts to help schools reach out to More information on the Team
tance for communities and school food the efforts of USDA’s Food and Nutrition parents, teachers, caregivers and others to Nutrition Training Grants and how schools
service providers. Service (FNS) to enhance children’s life- capitalize on the positive role-model poten- can become Team Nutrition schools is
“Improving the overall health and well- long eating and physical activity behaviors tial they have for children. available at teamnutrition.usda.gov.
6News • Ohio’s Country Journal • Mid-September 2009
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