- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - -

(CLF1000)  Advanced Core Cluster:  agricultural business Management 

  (CLF1850)  Unit Title: PRIMARY AGENCIES AFFECTING FARMERS

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  (CLF1853)  PRimary Agencies Affecting            Time                Year(s)
             Farmers                             1 Hour                  3 / 4
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           Topic Objectives:  Upon completion of this lesson, the student will
                              be able to:

           Learning Outcome:  

                (D-1) - Identify and describe the primary agencies involved in
                        agriculture and the services they provide.

           Special Materials and Equipment:

           References:  Higby, A., Hoff, H., Stevens, E., & Hansen, J.  
                          (1983).  FmHA FARM LOAN HANDBOOK.  Walt Hill, NE: 
                          Center for Rural Affairs.

           Resources:   Looney, J. W. (1989).  FARMER'S GUIDE TO GOVERNMENT 
                          AGENCIES.  Available from: Doane Information 
                          Services, 11701 Borman Drive,.St. Louis, MO  63146

           Evaluation:

Topic Presentation:  Primary Agencies Affecting Farmers

A.  Farm Credit Sources

    1.  FmHA: The Lender of Last Resort

    2.  Farm Credit System

        a.  Federal Land Bank

        b.  Federal Intermediate Credit Bank

        c.  Local Production Credit Association

    3.  Commodity Credit Corporation

    4.  Small Business Administration

B.  Types of FmHA Loans

    1.  Farm Ownership Loans

        a.  For acquiring, enlarging, or improving farms

        b.  Limited to family-size farms

        c.  Must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere

    2.  Operating Loans

        a.  Reorganizing the farming system

        b.  Purchasing supplies, livestock, or equipment

        c.  Financing land and water development use and conservation

        d.  Family living expenses

        e.  Refinancing existing indebtedness

        f.  Limited to family-size farms

    3.  Disaster Emergency Loans

        a.  Must have experienced a 30% crop or livestock loss of a basic part 
            of the operation to be eligible

        b.  Two-tiered rate which is lower for those unable to obtain credit 
            elsewhere

C.  FmHA Structure

    1.  National

        a.  Determines congressional intent and adopts regulations

        b.  Supervises local-level implementation

    2.  State

        a.  FmHA state director administers all FmHA programs in his or her 
            jurisdiction

    3.  District

        a.  Administers community facility loans

        b.  Hears appeals to local county supervisors' decisions

        c.  Reviews county handling of delinquent and problem loans

    4.  County Committee

        a.  Three members

        b.  Three-year terms

    5.  County Supervisor

        a.  Approves or rejects loans


D.  Soil Conservation Service

    1.  Appraises status and condition of soil and water resources

    2.  Manages national cooperative soil survey

    3.  Administers programs involving waterways, flood prevention, and small 
        watershed projects

    4.  Highly erodable land converted to cropland is not eligible for price 
        and income supports

    5.  Highly erodable lands already being farmed must be controlled in order 
        to participate

E.  Other Government Programs Important to Farmers

    1.  Price and Income Support Programs

        a.  Grain reserve

        b.  Disaster payments

        c.  Price supports

        d.  Direct payments

        e.  Supply management

    2.  Farm Labor

        a.  Workers' Compensation

        b.  OSHA

        c.  EPA (pesticide safety)

        d.  Minimum wage laws

    3.  Regulatory Programs

        a.  Packers and Stockyards Act

        b.  Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act

        c.  Commodities Exchange Act

        d.  Animal and Plant Health Service
        ___________________________________________________________________
        Activity:  

        1.  Invite a speaker from one of the government agencies to discuss
            the agency's everyday activities with the class. 
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11/26/91  MH/ch


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