Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Specialty Crops”
USDA Releases Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payment Rates The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially released the long-awaited payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, providing clarity and certainty for producers planning for the 2026 growing season. Announced late last year, the FBA Program delivers $12 billion in total assistance, with $11 billion allocated to row crop …
New Mexico’s Agricultural Significance When most people think of top agricultural states in the U.S., New Mexico might not immediately come to mind. Yet, this southwestern state plays a vital role in the nation’s farming landscape. One of its standout contributions is pecan production, where New Mexico frequently ranks among the largest producers in the country, competing with traditional leaders …
Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Drops Again, Farm Bureau Says If you enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner yesterday—or are diving into leftovers today—there’s a bit of good news from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The organization has released its annual Thanksgiving dinner survey, showing that the cost of a classic holiday meal has declined for the third consecutive year. A 5% Drop From …
USDA Announces $30 Million Fresh Fruit Purchase to Support Farmers and Food Banks The U.S. agricultural sector is receiving a significant boost with a new USDA initiative aimed at supporting both American farmers and families in need. US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins revealed that the USDA will purchase $30 million in fresh fruit from domestic producers, supplying food banks …
U.S. Specialty Crop Growers Urge USDA to End Buy American Waivers for School Meals A coalition of agricultural groups representing specialty crop growers and processors has sent a letter to Director Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, requesting an end to recent waivers granted under the Buy American requirements for …
Alabama Receives $519,000 in USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Funding The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $519,000 to Alabama through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). This funding will support 14 projects designed to enhance the competitiveness, marketing, education, and research of Alabama’s growing specialty crop sector. …
Extreme Green Farms Awarded $165,000 RFSI Grant to Expand Local Food Capacity The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries announced this week a major investment into the state’s local food infrastructure. Commissioner Rick Pate and his team awarded Extreme Green Farms a $165,000 grant through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, a move aimed at improving both storage and …
USDA Awards $8.3 Million to Boost International Market Access for U.S. Specialty Crops The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $8.3 million in funding to assist 11 recipients in expanding global market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is part of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program, managed by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). TASC helps …
A Little-Known Agricultural Innovator In the story of American agriculture, many names stand out, but others remain lesser known despite their lasting impact. One such figure is Jean Étienne de Boré, born in 1741 in a small village along the Mississippi River in Illinois. Though his early life began in the Midwest, it was in Louisiana where his contributions would …
U.S. Customs Halts Invasive Pest from Reaching Wisconsin Cherry Orchards On June 19th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists made a critical interception at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, stopping a serious agricultural threat before it could reach U.S. soil. During a secondary inspection, specialists discovered a five-pound bag of fresh cherries infested with live European cherry fruit fly maggots. …
