Farmers across the United States are facing growing financial pressures, and commodity groups are stepping up their calls for economic assistance as Congress continues to deliberate on a new farm bill. Organizations representing a wide array of crops and livestock have expressed concern over declining farm incomes, rising production costs, and the uncertainty stemming from the expiration of the previous …
USDA to Enhance Support for Farmers with Increased Replant Payments
The USDA is bolstering support for farmers facing crop setbacks by announcing an increase in replant payments for most producers beginning with the 2026 crop year. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to farmers who need to replant insured crops damaged by early insurable causes of loss. The enhancement in replant payments underscores the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) commitment …
Record Year for NRCS Program Acreage Enrollment
Fiscal Year 2024 proved to be a banner year regarding acres enrolled in the various USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. Over eleven million acres were enrolled this past fiscal year. That’s NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. He talks about the investments in various programs in FY 2024 and their role in increasing acreage enrollment in the suite of NRCS offerings. While …
Farm Recovery Center Events Continue this Week in Florida
Federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), along with numerous Florida agencies and nonprofit organizations are giving producers in the3 state a chance to learn more about programs and resources available for hurricane recovery. This is being done through events being held at in Florida at participating in multiple Farm Recovery …
Disaster Tax Relief Bill Passes in U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate has passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863). The legislation, in addition to providing much needed relief to victims of hurricanes, also provides tax relief for cattle producers who received payments due to wildfires. Previously, these payments counted as taxable income, meaning producers who already suffered from disasters were hurt again by having their relief …
USDA Provides Additional Flexibilities to Respond to 2024 Hurricanes
Expedites Emergency Conservation and Disaster Recovery Payments for Producers in Nine States Impacted by Hurricanes in 2016 to 2023 (USDA-FSA/WASHINGTON/Dec. 5, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments …
Valent Offers Financing Programs for Growers
For peanut growers looking for help when it comes to financing next year’s crop, there are options being made available. Valent Market Segment Manager, Vincent Restucci, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman how their financing programs work. To learn more, go to valent.com and click on Resources, then Programs & Offers. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst …
Hunger Crisis in America: Feeding America CEO Urges Action
The United States is facing its highest levels of food insecurity since the 2008-2009 economic downturn, according to Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. In a recent interview, Babineaux-Fontenot revealed that nearly 50 million Americans, including 14 million children, are experiencing hunger. These statistics, she emphasized, are a stark reminder of the growing crisis. Babineaux-Fontenot noted that while food insecurity …
USDA, DOL Launch New Student Apprenticeship Program with Tuskegee University
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), in partnership with Tuskegee University, are announcing the launch of the nation’s first federal sponsored Student Apprenticeship Program. The new program aims to increase the talent pipeline for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) from Minority-Serving Institutions and provide students with practical job experience. Under the program, apprentices will participate in orientation, technical training, and …
USDA Invests in Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
Last month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and this includes projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the …