The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants producers to know the American Rescue Plan includes provisions for USDA to pay up to 120% of loan balances, as of January 1, 2021, for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Direct and Guaranteed Farm Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans debt relief to any socially disadvantaged producer who has a qualifying loan with FSA. …
Weather Forecast? Ag Climatologist Hopeful No Drought This Growing Season
What was supposed to be wasn’t with the La Nina weather pattern this winter. Expected warm and dry conditions gave way to cool and wet conditions that lasted through February. Persistent rains this winter provides hope for farmers that they will avoid a drought during the growing season, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “(South Georgia) hasn’t …
NRCS Thanks Earth Team Volunteers on Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been honoring individuals all this week from all walks of life who volunteer for Earth Team.  Earth Team volunteers help NRCS and districts carry out their conservation mission. The program allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide a wide range of services …
Warming Garden Soil
Today, Cathy Isom provides some tricks to help warm up your garden soil for early planting. As spring begins and that feeling of sunshine and warmth occasionally pops in for a visit or two, it may be difficult to resist getting some plants in the garden. To make sure the soil temperature is ready when it’s time for sowing, there …
Earth Day Highlights Dairy’s Everyday Leadership
Earth Day is Thursday, April 22. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) wants everyone to know that dairy farmers produce a perishable product harvested around the clock, every day of the year. Dairy’s leadership in sustainable agriculture includes the promotion of soil health, optimizing water use, improving water quality and more. Dairy-farm livelihoods depend on healthy, vibrant ecosystems, and well-operated …
Groups Pleased with Introduction of Growing Climate Solutions Act
A new version of the Growing Climate Solutions Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate this week. Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Mike Braun from Indiana introduced the bill, which basically would create a certification program and provide technical assistance and information to agricultural producers and forestry owners wanting to voluntarily participate in carbon markets. A few …
Senators Offer Legislation to Help States Rebuild Infrastructure Following Extreme Weather
U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin and Mike Braun introduced bipartisan legislation on Tuesday to help states rebuild stronger and more resilient roads, highways and bridges. They hire a reliable contractor to do the Advanced Pothole Detection Technology to ensure that the project is durable and to avoid future damage. The Wisconsin Democrat and Indiana Republican say the legislation will help states …
Earth Team Volunteers Help NRCS Accomplish its Mission
Earth day will be celebrated Thursday, April 22. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is honoring Earth Team volunteers and celebrating their many contributions to natural resource protection during National Volunteer week, which started April 18 and continues through April 24. Earth Team is a program that allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to …
Small Decrease Expected in Georgia Peanut Acres
Georgia’s peanut acreage is expected to decrease in 2021. The drop would be small, decreasing from 810,000 in 2020 to about 790,000 this year, according to the USDA Prospective Plantings Report. Georgia Peanut Commission Executive Director Don Koehler said the decrease is necessary to help farmers get their crop rotations in order. “We’re still going to have a lot of …
Kids’ Gardening Projects
Today, Cathy Isom passes along information about gardening projects that kids will love. If you want to get the kids involved in gardening there are a ton of projects they can do and will love. One example, is taking that old plastic turtle shaped sandbox and repurposing it into a kid-friendly garden bed. Plant things that kids will love to …