eqip

USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-up for Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production

Dan Conservation, Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Georgia, Organic, USDA-NRCS

State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph, has announced a sign-up for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This Georgia NRCS sign-up follows a recent national announcement detailing the USDA’s multi-agency approach to assist producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to achieve organic certification. Only those producers are eligible to apply for this …

inflation

Inflation Impacting Organic Fresh Produce Sales

Dan Fruits, Organic, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Inflation is having an impact on another industry. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Inflation continued to impact organic fresh produce sales in the first quarter of 2023. Overall dollar sales grew by slightly less than one percent, and volume declined by 3.4 percent from the same year-over-year period. The data was released by the Organic Produce Network …

organic production

NRCS Invests to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic Production

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Organic, USDA-NRCS

The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production.  As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …

hurricane ian

Ian Florida Agriculture Losses Estimated at $1B

Dan Agri-Business, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/February 9, 2023) — Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $1 billion in agricultural-production losses, with the biggest hits to the citrus industry, along with growers of vegetables and melons, according to a new University of Florida report. The report from the UF-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences also doesn’t include damage to such things as buildings and equipment, which …

organic ag

OTA on USDA Steps to Prevent Fraud in Organic Ag

Dan Agri-Business, Organic, This Land of Ours

The USDA is taking steps to prevent fraud in organic ag. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Organic Trade Association applauded the USDA and the National Organic Program for the new “Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule.” Tom Chapman, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says the new regulation will do a lot to detect organic fraud and protect …

organic

NASS 2021 Organic Survey Results

Dan Organic, This Land of Ours, USDA-NASS

What state and products lead in organic production? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) this month released the results of the 2021 Organic Survey. The survey showed total sales of $11.2 billion in organic products, which is an increase of $1.28 billion, or 13%, from 2019. There were …

Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried on UF/IFAS Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Citrus, Cover Crops, Dairy, Economy, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Grapefruit, Lemons, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

(FDACS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Oct. 18, 2022) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) released a preliminary assessment of the agricultural production losses associated with Hurricane Ian. The report, which considered crops, livestock, and animal products, estimates a potential loss of up to $1.56 billion for Florida producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services (FDACS) is expected to release its …

grant

Researchers Developing Corn for Diverse Organic Systems

Dan Corn, Field Crops, Organic, Research, This Land of Ours

Researchers are working on a new type of corn. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Decades of corn breeding efforts emphasizing yield have contributed to modern hybrids with shallower and less complex root systems than their predecessors. Because the breeding and selection of most modern hybrids has taken place in environments with high nutrient concentrations, optimal weed control, …

georgia counties

Florida Ag Producers Impacted by Hurricane Ian May be Eligible for Emergency Conservation Program Assistance

Dan Aquaculture, Cattle, Economy, Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Hydroponics, Livestock, Nursery Crops, Organic, Pollinators, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA-FSA, Vegetables

Agricultural producers who suffered severe damage from Hurricane Ian, may be eligible for assistance under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). But, to be eligible, USDA approval is required before producers can begin repair efforts. Deborah Tannebaum, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman what land is …

insurance options

RMA Insurance Options for Specialty Crops, Organics

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy, Organic, Specialty Crops

The USDA is targeting specialty crop, organic, and urban ag producers for listening sessions on two insurance options, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. WFRP and Micro Farm are two of the most comprehensive risk management options available.  “We want to make sure farmers and ranchers know about these very important insurance options. We invite specialty crop, organic, urban and …