Purdue University's Ag Economy Barometer showed farmers feel better about their prospects in June than they did earlier this year.

IPS provided snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables to thousands of students last year, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the district was misusing funds intended to reimburse school districts for free breakfasts and lunches.

The loan is among $181 million in financing the USDA is making to upgrade rural electric systems in 10 states.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released updated numbers Monday showing farmers planted more acres this spring than many private analysts expected.

All FSA offices shut down Dec. 28 and those staff were furloughed without pay. A few offices re-opened for limited hours and services on Jan. 17.

The state's Family and Social Services Administration says the U.S. Department of Agriculture informed it that those benefits must be distributed Wednesday as a one-time early benefit due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making loans to Martinsville-based South Central Indiana REMC and Linden-based Tipmont REMC.

The counties the loan will serve include Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Lawrence, Monroe, Scott and Washington.

In a statement, USDA secretary Sonny Perdue says McKinney will "wake up every morning seeking to sell more American agricultural products in foreign markets."

Anne Hazlett helped create Indiana's Office of Community and Rural Affairs.