$1 Million to Support Agricultural Science Education for Insular Areas The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $1 million in available funding for projects to strengthen food and agricultural science education in insular areas of the United States. Funding is made through two NIFA programs, the Resident Instruction Grants Program for Institutions of Higher …
Renewal Options Available for Expiring CSP Contracts
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners with existing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts, the renewal sign-up deadline is coming up May 5. NRCS Acting Chief, Leonard Jordan, says participants with existing CSP contracts that expire on December 31 can access the benefits of the recent program changes through an option to renew their contracts for an …
Secretary Perdue Will Be a Champion for Agricultural Trade
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Philip Seng says new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has shown excellent knowledge of agricultural trade issues, and an outstanding commitment to promoting U.S. agricultural products worldwide. Joe Schuele has more on that story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida …
Ag and Rural Prosperity in America Executive Order
An Executive Order by President Trump has established the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. New Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will serve as the task force’s chairman. And in his first day on the job, Rod Bain reports Perdue took part in a Presidential farmer’s roundtable. Fourteen farmers from across the country met with President Trump and Agriculture …
Help a Horse Day
Cathy Isom tells us about a celebration to raise awareness about a majestic, loving animal. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Wednesday, April 26th is National Help a Horse Day. It was founded by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or ASPCA. The objective: to spread awareness about at-risk horses who may have been …
USDA to Study Antibiotics Use in Pork operations
The Department of Agriculture will begin a four-month study in May on how antimicrobials are used in U.S. swine operations. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the agency’s National Animal Health Monitoring System, along with the National Agricultural Statistics Service, is conducting a new data collection and reporting effort that will focus on antimicrobial use and stewardship practices on swine nursery …
Rural Economy Index Lower Again
The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak with a reading below growth neutral for the 20th straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. Released last week, the index which ranges between 0 and 100, slipped to 44.6 from 45.3 in March. The last time …
Progress on Canada Dairy Issue
The Associated Press reports more farmers impacted by what they call unfair trade practices by Canada have found a buyer for their milk. A Wisconsin state officials told the Associated Press Tuesday that around 15 more farms have found buyers or have promising leads. If those deals go through, that means 20 to 25 of the 58 farms dropped by …
Trump Administration Imposing Tariff on Canada Lumber Products
The Donald Trump administration intensified a decades-old trade dispute with Canada this week, announcing tariffs up to 24 percent on imported softwood lumber. Bloomberg News reports the step escalates an economic battle among neighboring countries that normally have one of the friendliest international relationships in the world. It follows a fight over a new Canadian milk policy that U.S. producers …
Perdue Off to Work as USDA Secretary
Newly minted Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue ditched his coat and tie, and rolled up his sleeves Tuesday morning, getting to work at the Department of Agriculture during an address to USDA employees. Following Senate confirmation Monday, the former Georgia Governor was sworn in Tuesday morning by Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, also from Georgia. Perdue preached transparency, ethics and …