Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: FRESH! Recipe – Balsamic Watermelon

Dan FL Commissioner Report, Florida, Fruits

On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam is joined by Executive Chef Justin Timineri to talk about a tasty new way to enjoy watermelon, Fresh From Florida! Ingredients: Watermelon Slices 6-12 slices of fresh Florida watermelon 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled Mint Oil 1/2 cup olive oil 20-25 fresh mint leaves 2 tablespoons fresh parsley Sea …

U.S. DDGS Exports Up 16 Percent To Southeast Asia

Dan Corn, Wheat

U.S. exports of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) to Southeast Asia have increased 16 percent so far this marketing year, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and analysis by the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). The Southeast Asian region – which includes Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – currently represents the …

EPA To Hold RFS Hearing Next Month

Dan Energy

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing on its Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations August first. The hearing, to be held in Washington, D.C., will take public comment on the 2018 renewable volume obligations, along with the 2019 RVO for biomass-based diesel, according to Ethanol Producer magazine. The agency released a prepublication version of the proposed rule …

Current Farm Downturn Not Likely to Reach 1980’s Crisis

Dan Economy

A report by a Farm Credit Administration economist told the Administration’s board members last week that the current downturn in the farm economy is not likely to reach a 1980s-style crisis. Farm Credit chief economist Stephen Gabriel said the “likelihood of this is very low,” adding that a confluence of adverse factors led to the crisis that occurred in the …

Ag Groups, Perdue Applaud Censky Nomination

Dan Industry News Release

Agriculture groups, along with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue applauded President Donald Trump’s nomination of Steve Censky as Deputy Agriculture Secretary. The nomination was rumored for months. The White House described Censky as a Missourian since he has lived for many years in the suburbs of St. Louis where ASA is headquartered, but Censky grew up on a soybean, corn and …

Agri View: Getting Food to the Needy

Dan Agri View

Everett Griner talks about problems getting the food from the farm to the needy in today’s Agri View.   Now, just to be sure you know, there is no food shortage in America. The problem is getting it from the farm to the families who need it. That is the part farmers can’t do. The problem is not restricted to …

Brazil to Address U.S. Beef Ban During Visit

Dan Beef

Brazil’s minister of agriculture will meet with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue Monday in an attempt to resume fresh beef exports to the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture halted beef imports from Brazil last month because of recurring concerns about the safety of the products. Brazil is hopeful the U.S. will lift the ban, as the Brazilian government …

Urban Agriculture Conservation Grants Awarded

Dan Environment, USDA-NRCS

The National Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, has awarded $1 million in grants to 19 conservation districts in 14 states to boost technical assistance capacity for urban agriculture and conservation projects. “Our work as conservationists has evolved since the Dust Bowl when many of our nation’s 3,000 conservation districts were first established,” NACD …

Senate Agriculture Committee Members Visit Alabama Farms

Dan Alabama, Farm Bill

Autauga County farmer Harold Gaines stood with his sons Dan and Levi as he told leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee his priority for the 2018 farm bill Saturday morning. “I want to be able to pass on this farm to the next generation and for them to be successful,” Gaines said as Sens. Luther Strange, R-Alabama, and Pat …