Highlights Benefits to America’s Students and Communities by Deborah Kane, Director, Office of Community Food Systems, Food and Nutrition Service It’s National Farm to School Month and USDA’s Office of Community Food Systems is here to help…and not just in October! All year long, we offer research, grants, training and technical assistance to help connect child nutrition programs with local …
NCBA’s 2017 Redbook is Available
From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: A pocket-sized recordkeeping tool that has been used by cattle producers for more than 30 years to enhance profitability is now available for 2017. (Oct. 3, 2016) The Integrated Resource Management (IRM) Redbook from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association helps cattle producers effectively and efficiently record their daily production efforts. The 2017 Redbook has …
Fruit Fly’s Genetic Code Revealed
An international team of scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other research organizations have sequenced the complete genome of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata. This pest attacks more than 260 fruit, vegetable and nut crops worldwide, causing billions of dollars annually in direct damage, export sanctions, lost markets, and other costs.
FDA Allows Peanuts to be called Healthy
From the National Peanut Board: Sept. 29, 2016 – ATLANTA – The Food and Drug Administration is now allowing peanuts to be called “healthy.” FDA announced on Wednesday that they are beginning the public process to redefine the “healthy” nutrient content claim for food labeling. In the interim, FDA has issued guidelines that allows industry to refer to peanuts as …
USDA Designates 9 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Sep. 29, 2016 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 9 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses caused by a recent drought. Those counties are: Baldwin, Bibb, Hancock, Houston, Jones, Peach, Taliaferro, Twiggs and Wilkinson Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Georgia also qualify …
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Holds Talks to Prevent Future Labor Delays
From the Georgia Department of Agriculture: Today, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary W. Black joined Senators David Perdue and Johnny Isakson for a listening session with the Department of Labor to discuss farm labor issues that adversely affected Georgia farmers last spring. “We are talking today about what we need to do now to ensure our farmers have
Congress Makes History, Ratifies Long-Awaited Treaty Tied to Global Food Security
From the American Seed Trade Association: Alexandria, Va.—September 29, 2016— Congress made history last night by passing a broadly supported Treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security. First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will ensure …
Signup Batching Date for NRCS Programs in Alabama is October 21
It was announced last week that October 21 is the sign-up batching date for Alabama producers for 2017 funding for EQIP, RCPP, CSP and ACEP. Steve Musser, assistant state conservationist for programs for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS), invites producers to stop by its local NRCS office. Download Audio
New Gulf Restoration Strategy Helps Florida Coastland
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced it will invest $9,635,389 in the state to install conservation practices on 70,410 acres of private land to improve water quality and coastal ecosystems. Download Audio
Finding the Best Farmers Market
American Farmland Trust Reveals Top Ranked Farmers Markets in America Wednesday marked the end of American Farmland Trust’s annual summer-long Farmers Market Celebration ? an effort to encourage shoppers across the nation to endorse their local farmers market as ?Best in Class,? rallying support for local farms and family farmers.