Iowa landowner and farmer Monty Collins maintains two adjoining agricultural properties and teaches farming at his town's secondary school - Pleasantville High School. Just as important as Collins' commitment to teaching is the U.S. Farm Service Agency's continuing support of him and his family, reported the FSA's Fence Post webpage.
The agency recently helped Collins purchase land contiguous to his family's existing acreage via a FSA direct and guaranteed loan. The FSA, according to a summary of the fiscal year 2011 as of February 28, found that Direct Farm Ownership Loans were up 33 percent.
The Collins' family have engaged in conservation efforts on their first 76 acres, including fencing in livestock to avoid tree erosion and seeding grass to preserve the soil. Collins frequently uses his property as a teaching tool for his high school classes.
And recently, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson stopped by the Collins' homestead to exchange information on new methods of preserving the land.
Farmers and ranchers like the Collinses will need agricultural equipment to help drive the success of their fields. John Deere supplies row-crop tractors and combine harvesters to meet that need.
Conservation and farming go hand-in-hand, according to American farmer
Farming and conservation make sense.