Funding Questionable for New Specialty Crop Farm Bill Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Legislative, Specialty Crops

by Sabrina Halvorson The specialty crop industry wants farm bill funding for research and new programs, but lawmakers ask, where’s that money coming from? Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it’s hard to say what is the most important of all the priorities for specialty crops in the …

USDA Offers Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers

Dan Agri-Business, Cattle, Dairy, Economy, Funding, Organic, This Land of Ours, USDA-FSA

Help for organic dairy producers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced assistance for dairy producers with the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The program helps dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic …

Additional Assistance for Farm Loan Borrowers

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, This Land of Ours, USDA-FSA

There’s more assistance on the way for some farm loan borrowers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced, on May 1, 2023 (see below News Release), that nearly $130 million in additional, automatic financial assistance has been obligated for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial …

NRCS Invests to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic Production

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Organic, USDA-NRCS

The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production.  As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …

USDA Announces Funding to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy Systems and Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Dan Agri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Funding

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Energy Costs, Builds America’s Clean-Energy Economy in Rural America (USDA-RD/WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications starting on April 1 for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. …

USDA Announces Additional Help for Distressed Farmers

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, This Land of Ours

There’s additional help for some farmers who need it. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Starting in April, the USDA will provide approximately $123 million in additional, automatic financial assistance for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial risk, as part of the $3.1 billion to help distressed farm loan borrowers that was provided through Section …

Margin Protection for Corn and Soybean Farmers Expanded by USDA

Dan Agri-Business, Corn, Funding, Soybeans

(USDA-RMA/WASHINGTON/March 30, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding its Margin Protection insurance plan, adding more than a thousand counties to the insurance option that provides coverage against an unexpected decrease in operating margin for corn and soybean producers. This expansion, which is in direct response to growing interest among producers, will be available by June 30, 2023. Interested …

Farm Bill Listening Sessions Planned

Dan Agri-Business, Alabama, Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative

Congressman Barry Moore is hosting several Farm Bill Listening Sessions for Alabamians to attend regarding the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization. The Alabama Peanut Producers Association says attendees are encouraged to bring a hard copy of their questions, comments, or concerns along with their contact information so Congressman Moore and his staff have an opportunity to follow up with attendees after …