Secretary of Agriculture

Final Days for Current Secretary of Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business

The new Administration will take office in January, and that is when the current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will see his term end. Mark Oppold has more details.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by …

hog

Congress Leaving Town with No Prop 12 Fix

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is deeply disappointed in Congress’ decision to relinquish its responsibility to produce a five-year farm bill and an overdue federal solution to California’s Proposition 12. The organization says pork producers don’t have the luxury of waiting for Congress to pass a new five-year bill.  “After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, …

orange

Florida’s Smallest Orange Crop in Almost 100 Years?

Dan Citrus, Crop Forecasts, Florida

USDA’s look at U.S. orange production puts a spotlight on the Sunshine State where significant production decreased are noted. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry …

american

American Agriculture History Minute: Funk Brothers’ Advancement of Corn Seed

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Corn, Seeds, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Eugene Funk was the grandson of Isaac Funk, one of McLean County, Illinois’ earliest settlers and arguably the best livestock producer in the area at the time. The Funk’s success in livestock led them to consider how they might achieve similar advances in corn. Eugene studied science for three years at …

Florida

FDACS Accepting Applications for RFLPP

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced that applications are now being accepted from landowners for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The program partners with farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida’s economy and produce our food and fiber. “Florida’s working agricultural lands are not just fields …

Rural Mainstreet Index

Farm Bureau Pleads for Farmer Aid as Funding Bill Falters Following Musk Tweet

Dan Agri-Business, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Funding, Legislative

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to Congress late yesterday, urging lawmakers to consider the needs of farmers and ranchers as they debate changes to a key federal funding measure. The measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), would help keep the government running while leaders work on a final budget. The AFBF is calling …

conservation

Deadline Nearing for Input on Climate Benefits of Conservation Practice Standards

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been accepting public input on how to improve conservation practice standards to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. But if you have yet to provide input, it is due by December 23, 2024.  Conservation practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing NRCS conservation programs popular with producers, …

government shutdown

Congress Working on Year-End Funding Bills

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, Legislative

It’s a busy time in Washington D.C. as Congress is trying to finish up a variety of things before the session ends for the year. And as Tyron Spearman reports, this includes funding bills.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers …

Census of Aquaculture

Census of Aquaculture Data Released

Dan Aquaculture

The USDA/National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) has released the 2023 Census of Aquaculture, which expands the aquaculture data collected from the 2022 Census of Agriculture and provides a current and comprehensive picture of the aquaculture sector at the state and national levels. Mark Oppold has more details. The aquaculture census collects detailed information relating to production methods, surface water acres and sources, …

American Agriculture History

American Agriculture History Minute: Early Settlers Arrive in What’s Now Colorado

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. When early settlers arrived in what is now the state of Colorado, they found Native Americans growing what is called the three sisters, corn, soybeans, and squash. The Arkansas River marked the boundary between Mexican and U. S. territories at the time, and Spanish-speaking immigrants settled along the southern routes and …