USDA Financial Assistance Announced for Hurricane Sally Recovery Efforts in Alabama

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Ben Malone has announced availability of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds for Farmers and Ranchers that were affected by Hurricane Sally. Applications for financial assistance will be accepted through November 13, 2020. Alabama counties in Hurricane Sally’s path experienced extensive damage due to extreme wind speeds and …

EQIP Sign-Up Continues in Georgia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants Georgia agricultural producers and landowners to know sign up continues for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Those who want to be considered for this year’s technical and financial assistance should apply by November 20, 2020. While customers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all …

Plant Protection Today – Tracking the Elusive Asian Giant Hornet

PPQ Shares Cutting-Edge Methods with State Partner By Greg Rosenthal (USDA/APHIS) — After weeks of searching, Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) entomologists–—with some cutting-edge methods from USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ)–—have located and eradicated the first Asian giant hornet (AGH) nest ever found in the United States. For months, WSDA had been trying to find the nest they …

Ag Economy Barometer Reaches All-Time High

(NAFB) — The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose 27 points to a reading of 183 in October, setting an all-time high for the index. Farmers were more optimistic about both the future and current financial situations on their farms. The Current Conditions Index rose 36 points to a reading of 178, and the Future Expectations Index climbed 23 …

USMEF Chair Reflects on Challenging but Rewarding Year

The chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is about to see his term expire. Joe Schuele talked with him about the challenging but rewarding year. USMEF will hold its Strategic Planning Conference virtually on Nov. 10-13. More information can be found on its website.   Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities …

Tips to Ripen Green Tomatoes Indoors

How to ripen green tomatoes.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Even if the tomatoes you’re growing are green, you can still pick them and after-ripen them indoors. Especially, if you live in a region with cold weather extremes. It’s perfectly ok to harvest tomatoes when the fruits begin to change color and soften to the feel. At …

FSIS Update on Peanut Inspections

The Federal State Inspection Service (FSIS) recently gave an update on how their efforts concerning the grading of this year’s peanut crop is going. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding …

Commissioner Nikki Fried Urges Okaloosa and Walton County Producers Affected by Hurricane Sally to Apply for USDA Disaster Assistance

(FDACS) — Following Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s call for a Secretarial disaster designation for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Sally, on Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Okaloosa and Walton counties as primary and Bay, Holmes, Santa Rosa, and Washington counties as secondary disaster areas. Producers in these counties are now eligible for USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) disaster loans in addition to producers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who …

Two Alabama Counties Designated Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Baldwin and Mobile counties who suffered losses caused by excessive wind, flash flooding and excessive rainfall caused by Hurricane Sally that occurred from Sept. 15 through Sept. 16, 2020, may be eligible for …