A group of Senators recently introduced legislation to increase annual funding for USDA International Marketing Programs, the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD). U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom says while MAP and FMD have received steady funding from Congress and the programs have strong, bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, MAP funding has remained static since …
USDA Call Center Available to Assist Agricultural Producers with Hurricane Ian Recovery
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a call center that is available to assist agricultural producers with Hurricane Ian recovery. Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the hurricane, so for producers located in counties where the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) local infrastructure has been impacted, the agency has established state-specific toll-free information lines where producers …
Thune Introduces Bill to Improve Livestock Disaster Assistance
Senators John Thune and Ben Ray Luján recently introduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act. The bipartisan legislation by the South Dakota Republican and New Mexico Democrat would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of multiple Department of Agriculture programs that assist farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of adverse weather events. The legislation would also provide USDA with direction to …
Strawberry Season Lasting Longer
Peak strawberry season is lasting a little longer in one growing area. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. California strawberry production is expected to hit its second-highest season on record, extending peak season well into fall. As the country’s leading producer of strawberries growing 90% of all strawberries produced in the U.S., consumers can expect to see abundant …
RMA Insurance Options for Specialty Crops, Organics
The USDA is targeting specialty crop, organic, and urban ag producers for listening sessions on two insurance options, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. WFRP and Micro Farm are two of the most comprehensive risk management options available. “We want to make sure farmers and ranchers know about these very important insurance options. We invite specialty crop, organic, urban and …
Developing a Device to Check Moisture in the Peanut Shell
As the 2022 peanut crop continues to roll in, Tyron Spearman reports efforts are underway to develop a device that can be used to check the moisture content of peanuts in the shell. 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 …
Farmers Try to Sort Out Hurricane Damage
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 06, 2022) — A week after Hurricane Ian stormed across Florida, farmers and ranchers continue waiting for flood waters to recede to get a full picture of the destruction to citrus groves and cattle operations. The storm killed at least 200 cows at a dairy farm in Myakka City, while beef cattle counts remain uncertain until herds can …
Two Major Conservation Program Sign-up Deadlines in Florida is Friday
Here’s a reminder from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida that the deadline to apply for two of its major conservation programs is Friday, October 7. They are the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The original September 2 deadline, previously extended to September 30, was extended to this Friday to allow farmers, ranchers, and non-industrial private forestland …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Two Program Sign-Ups
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced that two program sign-ups are underway. NRCS and partner groups have a sign-up for four regionally-focused conservation projects being funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Each project has unique objectives and boundaries, but the ranking date for all eligible producers in these project areas to apply is November 4, 2022. To learn …
Application Deadline for CIG Classic Program is October 11
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing $15 million in the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. But a reminder, applications are being accepted until October 11, 2022. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart …