Putnam Comments on USDA’s Disaster Aid Implementation

Following U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement today that the USDA will begin implementing disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion in response to 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam issued the following statement: “Florida agriculture took a direct hit from Hurricane Irma and has long-awaited this much-needed disaster relief. I thank Secretary …

Putnam Presents at Land Conference Candidate Summit

The 10th annual Lay of the Land Conference, hosted and organized by Coldwell Banker Commercial Saunders Real Estate, featured a special Florida gubernatorial and ag commissioner candidate summit. The summit took place Thursday at Champion’s Gate Resort near Orlando. The three Republican candidates for Florida agriculture commissioner and current Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam (who’s running for governor) shared their vision with those …

USDA Looking for Administrative Ways to Help Farmers Get Workers

While Congress continues the struggle to pass immigration reform legislation, work is being done in the meantime on administrative actions that might make it a little easier to hire farm workers. Gary Crawford has the story. USDA Looking for Administrative Ways to Help Farmers Get Workers Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune …

USDA Implements Hurricane Recovery Funding for Ag Producers

2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to Aid Recovery in Rural Communities U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make disaster payments of up to $2.36 billion, as provided by Congress, to help America’s farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes and wildfires. The funds are available as part of the new 2017 Wildfires …

Good Crowd Attends Georgia Forage Conference

Day two of the annual Georgia Cattlemen’s Association Convention and Trade Show is taking place today at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry. Yesterday’s events included the annual Forage Conference, which has been a good kick-off for the GCA Convention the past few years. And University of Georgia Professor and State Forage Specialist, Dennis Hancock, is pleased with this year’s …

Tips for Planting a Butterfly Garden

We all need to remember, butterflies are pollinators. What better way to attract butterflies than to plant a garden. Cathy Isom has some tips for planting a beautiful butterfly garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Tips for Planting a Butterfly Garden Butterflies can be a great attraction to any garden. Not only will they bring you great …

World Food Prices Rise 1.1 Percent in March

The United Nations food agency says world food prices rose during March, driven by increases in grains and dairy costs. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s food price index measures monthly changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat, and sugar. The March index was 1.1 percent higher than the February number. When compared to a year ago at …

USDA and SBA Join Forces to Help Rural American Businesses

Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue and Small Business Administration chief Linda McMahon signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strengthening small businesses and the agricultural economies in rural America. They signed the MOU during a stop on Perdue’s “Back to Our Roots” tour in Ohio. The collaboration is designed to do several things, including enhancing investment opportunities in rural America. The organizations …

Growth Energy Responds To EPA Waivers

Growth Energy sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt condemning the decision to give a small refinery waiver to one of the largest refiners in the U.S. They are also demanding a moratorium on waivers being issued by the EPA. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says they want the EPA to immediately stop issuing waivers and end …

White House Trade Chief Says U.S./China to Hold Trade Talks

A Bloomberg report says that American and Chinese officials have both indicated a willingness to find a negotiated solution to their trade differences. Top government officials are expected to hold talks before American tariffs on Chinese imports will take effect. White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro tells CNBC that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will lead …