(GAINESVILLE, FL/September 7, 2021) — Andra Johnson, associate director of Penn State Extension, will be the next dean of UF/IFAS Extension and director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the University of Florida announced on Tuesday. Johnson will assume the role on November 1. Johnson will lead UF/IFAS’ statewide network of more than 650 faculty educators and scientists, whose programs …
USDA Invests Millions in Grants to Provide Relief to Farm and Food Workers Impacted by COVID-19
(WASHINGTON, September 7, 2021)Â — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $700 million in competitive grant funding will be available through the new Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) grant program to help farmworkers and meatpacking workers with pandemic-related health and safety costs. The announcement was made in press call with United Farm Workers Foundation Executive Director Diana Tellefson Torres and …
Protect Against the COVID-19 Delta Variant
If you would have asked us last September if there would still be a need to write a tip about COVID-19 a year later, our answer would have been, “We sure hope not.” So, what’s changed? The simplest explanation is the emergence of the Delta variant. When you hear us talk about food safety, we don’t often talk about variants. …
Peanut Usage Continues Strong
According to USDA’s Peanut Stocks and Processing Report for July, peanut usage continues strong. Tyron Spearman runs through the latest numbers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June …
ACA Promoting Fall Youth Production Field Day
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association’s (ACA) invites youth across the state to take part in the Fall Youth Production Field Day. ACA Director of Field Services, Morgan Desselle, says the event will be held September 18. The Fall Youth Production Field Day is free and open to all Alabama youth, sponsored by the Alabama Beef Checkoff Program and the Covington County Cattlemen’s Association. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …
Red Meat Producers See Great Growth Potential in Latin America
More than 130 red meat buyers from 21 countries across Central and South America and the Caribbean gathered in San Jose, Costa Rica, for the 10th anniversary edition of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin American Product Showcase. Joe Schuele has more details. More details on the Latin American Product Showcase are available on the USMEF website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …
AFBF: EPA Should Keep “Navigable” in New WOTUS Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) submitted recommendations last week on the definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS). The comments were filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. In June 2021, the EPA announced its intent to revise the definition of WOTUS and solicited pre-proposal recommendations. In the recommendations, AFBF expresses disappointment …
Tyson Foods, Unions Reach Deal on COVID-10 Vaccine Mandate
Tyson Foods says that labor unions agreed to support its requirement for U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November. Reuters says the company will offer new benefits to workers including paid sick leave. Companies like Tyson have been trying to give employees incentives to get vaccinated through bonuses and other benefits as the Delta Strain pushes case numbers …
New Report Indicates Peanut Stocks are Down
The latest Peanut Stocks and Processing Report indicates stock continue to dwindle. Tyron Spearman has the new numbers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida 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, 2026
NASDA Calls on USDA to Protect Diversity of Meat Processing
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has expressed its recommendations for a resilient, diverse and secure meat processing system. Specifically, NASDA commented that flexible funding for solutions to workforce shortages and processing infrastructure investments for small to mid-sized meat processing facilities is critical to ensuring our food system is built to handle future challenges. Twenty-seven state departments of agriculture …