(USDA/NRCS-FL) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking members for a new advisory committee on urban agriculture, part of a broader effort to focus on the needs of urban farmers. The 12-person committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well …
USDA Invests $4.6 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Georgia
ReConnect Funding to Connect 1,326 Rural Georgia Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (USDA) — The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $4.6 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Georgia. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program. “The …
New Dietary Guidelines Include Role for Juice
The newly released 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) continue to reinforce that nutrient-dense 100 percent fruit juices, such as orange juice (OJ), count as a fruit serving. They also continue to include 100 percent fruit juice as a part of a healthy dietary pattern. The guidelines support the incorporation of beverages such as 100 percent OJ into the daily …
Turfgrasses Flowers are Something to Buzz About
(USDA/ARS) — Turfgrasses sometimes get a “bad rap” for not giving our bees and other insect pollinators a helping hand on the food front. But Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Georgia (UGA) studies suggest this reputation is unfair—and at least five different genera of bees would agree! In the world, 70 percent of the main crops used for …
More Good News about Peanuts
Delving even deeper into the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines, Tyron Spearman has more good news about peanuts. 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
Expectation of La Niña and Florida Citrus
A moderate La Niña climate phase is expected through spring 2021. This indicates that slightly above average temperatures and slightly less rainfall than normal can be expected in Florida’s citrus belt. Multi-county citrus Extension agent Ajia Paolillo made that announcement during a virtual Dec. 22 OJ Break presented by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). …
UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Virtual Workshop Available
(UF/IFAS) — The UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Program launched a virtual workshop with research and program updates, available online beginning January 11 for $40. The workshop consists of a collection of pre-recorded lectures and prepared documents available for on-demand viewing. In addition to the virtual delivery, there are opportunities to engage with experts from UF/IFAS. As the two-year pilot project …
Regulations for Future Oversight of Animal Ag Biotechnology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will soon have oversight of parts of federal regulations regarding food and fiber animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. Rod Bain has the story. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Greg Ibach, discusses the history of federal animal biotechnology regulatory oversight, leading up to a recent announcement of USDA taking over …
FSA Administrator on New Quality Loss Assistance Program
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced that signup for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) program is underway. This new program provides assistance to producers who suffered eligible crop quality losses due to natural disasters occurring in 2018 and 2019. FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that QLA is an extensive of WHIP-Plus. The deadline to apply for …
EPA Nominee Meets with Farm Groups
(NAFB) — President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency met with farm group leaders Tuesday. Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator-designate, hosted a virtual round table with more than 16 members of the Ag CEO Council and staff. The Biden transition team says Regan reiterated President-elect Joe Biden’s commitment to working with agricultural leaders to promote healthy and …