Farmer of the Year

Looking Back at the Sunbelt Farmer of the Year Event

A good crowd was on hand again this year for the annual Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award luncheon which was held last week in Moultrie, Georgia. Tyron Spearman takes time to look back at that event and some of the other hi-lights of this year’s Expo.  Faylene Whitaker, of Climax, North Carolina, was selected as the overall winner of …

Thailand

USDA to Host First-Ever Trade Mission to Thailand in 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will lead its first trade mission to Bangkok, Thailand, from February 3-6, 2025. U.S. exporters interested in participating must apply by October 29, 2024. “This mission represents an important opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and agribusinesses to connect with potential partners from both Thailand and Burma,” said FAS Administrator …

Florida beef council

Conservation Easements Program Sign-up Ends Friday in Georgia

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind landowners that applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2025 must be submitted by October 25, 2024. The ACEP has two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers and landowners on eligible lands. These easements will restore …

acep

USDA-NRCS Accepting ACEP Applications

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners that sign-up for funding through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) continues. While landowners and eligible entities may apply at any time, to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, complete and eligible applications must be received for both Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements …

American Agriculture

American Agriculture History Minute: Better Cattle Feed Developed

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. A central Iowa cattle feeder in the mid-1920s believed he could produce better cattle by paying closer attention to what they ate. His idea was to start with young calves. Feed them quality feed supplements, not just feed loaded with fillers, as he says. So, he developed his own feed. He …

FDACS Announces 2025 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Inductees

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 23, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Foundation announced Cary and Marcia Lightsey, Madeline Mellinger, and Jim Strickland as the 2025 Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame inductees. Since 1980, the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame has honored men and women who have made lasting contributions to agriculture in the state and …

automation

Automation Takes Center Stage at FIRA USA Event

The FIRA USA conference is an annual event focused on agricultural robotics and automation, bringing together experts, growers, and tech innovators to explore the latest advancements in ag tech. Held this year at the Yolo County Fairgrounds near Sacramento, California, the event highlights solutions designed to improve efficiency and sustainability, particularly for specialty crop production. Paul Welbig, Director of Precision …

Florida farmland

Florida Farmland Preserved through RFLPP

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of Florida farmland through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). Nearly 750 acres of the Pelaez and Sons, Inc. cow/calf operation in Okeechobee County is being preserved through a rural land protection easement for $2,675,000.  Pelaez and Sons, Inc. is a family owned and operated cow/calf operation raising …

peanut harvest

Peanut Harvest Could Use Some Moisture

The latest numbers from USDA show 44% of the U.S. peanut crop had been harvested as of this past Sunday. But as Tyron Spearman reports, the dry conditions are starting to hamper some of those efforts. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through …

FFA Week

FFA Convention Kicks Off in Indianapolis

The 97th National FFA Convention kicks off today in Indianapolis.  Mark Oppold has more on that, along with a quick update on the grain and livestock trade. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, …