After making landfall in Florida last week, Hurricane Helene progressed North affecting a wide swath of the cotton crop in the Southeast. Randall Weiseman was able to catch up with Jim Davis, chief executive officer of the Southern Cotton Growers, who talked briefly about what he has learned about it so far as harvest was underway in many areas. Sponsored ContentFlorida …
McKalip on Agricultural Recovery Following Hurricane Helene
While the total extent of damage may not be known for days or weeks, in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, the Biden-Harris Administration is bolstering recovery efforts across the agricultural sector. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip reinforced this during an interview Monday morning with Southeast AgNet. “I just wanted to take a second to, acknowledge, the hurricane …
USDA NRCS Offers Emergency Watershed Protection Program
As cleanup is underway after Hurricane Helene ravaged much of the Southeast last week, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners about the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed. EWP does not …
USDA Launches Online Debt Consolidation Tool
Last month, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new Debt Consolidation Tool that allows U.S. agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the Farm Service Agency. “Providing producers with options to structure their debt in a manner …
Georgia’s New Hemp Laws Effective Oct. 1
The Georgia Hemp Farming Act, effective October 1, ushers in a new era for hemp growers and processors. Signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp, the act imposes strict regulations on the cultivation, processing, and sale of hemp across the state. Under Senate Bill 94 (SB 94), all aspects of hemp production—including growing, testing, packaging, and retail—are regulated by the …
USDA Invests in Global Food Security
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking big steps to improve food security around the world. At the recent Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a substantial investment of $466.5 million for two important programs: the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress. The McGovern-Dole program will receive $248 …
USDA Offers $58 Million for Organic Dairy Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024, providing $58 million in marketing assistance to certified organic dairy producers. This program aims to help farmers expand their markets and boost the consumption of organic dairy products. Zach Ducheneaux, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, highlighted the USDA’s commitment to supporting organic dairies during …
American Agriculture History Minute: Best Remembered for Producing Louisiana’s First Granular Sugar
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Etienne DeBorre is a little-known figure in American agriculture. Born in 1741 in a small village along the Mississippi River in Illinois. Etienne spent most of his life in Louisiana, and it was there that he’s best remembered for producing Louisiana’s first granulated sugar. His innovation encouraged producers there to plant …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 09-27-2024
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended September 27, 2024, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended September 27, 2024, receipts at 16 markets totaled 10,931 head compared to 11,106 last week and 15,013 last …
FDACS Announces Approval of First Loan for Hurricane Debby Impacted Florida Farmers
First loan approval comes just 15 days after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 27, 2024) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the approval of the first Hurricane Debby recovery loan through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Commissioner Simpson announced the launch of the …










