USDA is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support nearly two dozen research and Extension projects. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced the funding on a call with reporters and described the kinds of projects that will be funded. “The awarded projects addressed key challenges of national, regional and multi state importance to the food …
Ranking Date for RCPP Projects in Georgia is November 17
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) reminds producers in the state that the ranking date for the conservation easement portions of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is November 17, 2023. Interested producers must apply by that date for their application to be included in this batch of program funding. Georgia State Conservationist, Terrance O. Rudolph said, “RCPP is helping NRCS reach …
Florida Agricultural Landowners Reminded to Apply for EQIP, CSP & RCCP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) wants to remind agricultural landowners in the state that they are still accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), climate-smart practices through EQIP and CSP funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners need to apply by November 17, …
USDA Streamlines Regional Conservation Partnership Program in Alabama
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced improvements to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as well as an unprecedented $1 billion investment to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through 81 projects. Partnership to Advance Climate-Resilient Longleaf Restoration and Conservation on Private Lands in Alabama and Georgia will receive $25,000,000 in funding over the next five years. RCPP leverages …
Hurricane Idalia Disaster Declaration Expanded in Georgia
(GDAC/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 8, 2023) — U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Tom Vilsack has issued a disaster declaration for 27 Georgia counties due to damage and losses caused by Hurricane Idalia on August 30, 2023. This declaration allows farmers, producers, and other eligible agricultural operations to apply for emergency disaster relief through the Farm Service Agency. “Hurricane Idalia caused significant …
Ag Commissioner Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 8, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, …
Lawmakers Discuss Farm Bill Extension
As the House is getting back to work after selecting a new speaker, there are growing calls for an extension for the farm bill. Ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, David Scott (D-GA), called on fellow representatives to extend the 2018 Farm Bill by one year. “We stand united against any efforts to take food away from children’s families …
USDA Designates 11 Additional Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Oct. 31, 2023) – Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced that USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has designated eleven Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. Additional counties were listed as contiguous disaster counties. “We recognize that the drought conditions have hit Alabama farmers hard and hope this disaster relief from USDA …
Feds Feed Families Program Milestone
The Feds Feed Families Program reaches a food donation milestone. Gary Crawford has that coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. “I wanted to come down from my office today, first of all, to thank everybody who’s participating in the campaign for a job well done,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The campaign is the Feds Feed Families …
Farmers Recovery Center Venue Relocated from Cross City to Fanning Springs
(USDA-FEMA-FL/Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2023) — On Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 9 a.m. to 3:00pm, a Farmers Recovery Center that was originally scheduled at the Dixie County Public Library at 16328 SE US-19 in Cross City will be relocated to the Suwannee River Fair Pavilion at 17851 NW 90th Ave, Fanning Springs. This is to accommodate a larger space due to …