Tag Archive for agriculture

Getting To Know Dan Fenneman

May 5, 2011 Outdoors Comments Off
Dan Fenneman is Extension Agent I of Agriculture for Madison County.

By Kristin Finney
Greene Publishing, Inc.

In need of some agricultural assistance? Maybe there is an unidentified bug flying around your garden, or perhaps your plants are mysteriously dying and you are not sure why. If so, then Dan Fenneman is your man. Fenneman works for the University of Florida Madison County Extension Office as Extension Agent I of Agriculture.

Dan Fenneman is Extension Agent I of Agriculture for Madison County.

Dan Fenneman and his wife, Lisa, have lived in Madison for the majority of their lives. They have three children; two sons, Joshua and Jordon, and a daughter, Emily. Dan moved to Madison in the early 70’s when his dad began working for Dixie Packers. Fenneman said, “I love Madison because it is such a family as well as a community.”
In 1985, Dan graduated from the University of Florida. Following graduation he worked for Goldkist Poultry as well as the Georgia Bo weavil Eradication Program. Then a few years ago Fenneman got the chance to work for the University of Florida Madison County Extension Office. August will be Fenneman’s third year at the office.
At the UF Extension Office, their job is to educate the community about agriculture. They can do everything from identifying bugs to soil testing, as well as, many other services. They work with local schools on different projects throughout the year to educate the students about different areas of agriculture. One project currently in progress is an Embryology Project.
They also work closely with other extension offices in surrounding counties. Last year, the Madison Extension Office along with Suwannee’s Extension Office worked together to make a pumpkin patch and maze for the children. They set up different stations throughout the festivities to inform students about different types of pumpkins, the uses of corn and many other educational activities.
When asked where his love of agriculture comes from, Fenneman explained, “I grew up working for local producers. I have always had a passion for agriculture. I love my job. There is always something new and challenging to take on, someone always has questions. There is always a challenge.”
Fenneman’s job has him in charge of many areas. He works with the livestock show and many livestock projects. He is also in charge of bug identification, soil testing and samples, natural resourses and cattle producers.

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Help For Livestock Producers Who Suffered Winter Losses

February 28, 2011 Around Madison, Front Page, Outdoors Comments Off

Gainesville, FL – February 28, 2011 — Tim Manning , State Executive Director for the Florida USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), announced that permanent disaster assistance programs created in the 2008 Farm Bill allow FSA to offer relief to producers affected by adverse weather.

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) provides livestock producers with benefits for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather. The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm Raised Fish Program (ELAP) provides emergency assistance to producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish that have losses due to disease, adverse weather or other conditions, including blizzards and wildfires. For livestock producers, ELAP assistance may be available for feed losses due to a major weather event. ELAP benefits paid are based on FSA’s calculation of the value of feed lost compared to the feed needs of the livestock during the disaster period. Producers should document any additional costs associated with transporting feed to livestock.

“Many farmers and ranchers have faced a rough winter, and they need to know FSA has programs that offer relief when they need it most,” said Manning. “For LIP benefits, producers should document the number and kind of livestock that died due to the winter storms and notify our office as soon as possible,” he said.

To meet eligibility requirements under LIP, producers must file a notice of loss within 30 days from when the loss is apparent to the producer. It is also important that the verification of death loss is verified by an unrelated third party.

Another disaster assistance program available to livestock producers is the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) which provides financial assistance to producers who suffer grazing losses due to drought or fire. LFP requires that producers obtain a policy or plan of insurance for the grazed forage crop under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA) or file the required paperwork and pay the administrative fee by the applicable state application closing date for the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).

“Although we don’t often think of drought and snow in the same context, it is very possible that both weather conditions are occurring at the same time and LFP is available to help alleviate the financial strain caused by drought, “said Manning.

Manning stressed that applications received for any of the livestock disaster assistance programs are considered on a case-by-case basis and producers should be prepared to provide required information to determine eligibility and applicable benefits.

Producers who have questions regarding livestock disaster assistance program eligibility and the application process should contact your County FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.

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P&Z Board To Discuss Intensive Ag. Definition

January 11, 2011 Front Page Comments Off

By Jacob Bembry

Greene Publishing, Inc.

            The Madison County Planning and Zoning Board will broach the subject of defining exactly what the definition of “intensive agriculture” should be at their Thursday, Jan. 13, meeting.

            The subject was discussed at length in the board’s December meeting. An overwhelming majority in the room was against changing any classification where farm land was involved.

            Also on the agenda will discuss allowable vs. special exception requirements for recreational uses in all land use  categories.

            New items on the agenda will include the election of a chair and vice-chair for 2011 and the approval of the 2011 meeting schedule for the board.

            The P&Z Board will also consider scheduling a visit to Full Circle Dairy, which is located south of Lee. The purpose of the visit is so that board members can gain knowledge of dairies.

            A discussion family homestead lot splits on unplatted subdivisions is also on the agenda.

            The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the county commissioners meeting room in the Courthouse Annex.

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