Hurricane Helene

McKalip on Agricultural Recovery Following Hurricane Helene

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Hurricane

While the total extent of damage may not be known for days or weeks, in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, the Biden-Harris Administration is bolstering recovery efforts across the agricultural sector. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip reinforced this during an interview Monday morning with Southeast AgNet. “I just wanted to take a second to, acknowledge, the hurricane …

food security

USDA Invests in Global Food Security

Dan Agri-Business

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking big steps to improve food security around the world. At the recent Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a substantial investment of $466.5 million for two important programs: the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress. The McGovern-Dole program will receive $248 …

organic dairy

USDA Offers $58 Million for Organic Dairy Producers

Dan Agri-Business, Dairy, Funding, Organic, USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024, providing $58 million in marketing assistance to certified organic dairy producers. This program aims to help farmers expand their markets and boost the consumption of organic dairy products. Zach Ducheneaux, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, highlighted the USDA’s commitment to supporting organic dairies during …

hurricane debby

FDACS Announces Approval of First Loan for Hurricane Debby Impacted Florida Farmers

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

First loan approval comes just 15 days after Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 27, 2024) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the approval of the first Hurricane Debby recovery loan through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Commissioner Simpson announced the launch of the …

climate change

Agriculture’s Role in Addressing Climate Change Discussed at NYC Climate Week

Dan Agri-Business, Climate Change, Environment

Agriculture is in the spotlight as a component of addressing climate change, with recognition ofits potential to provide solutions beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Speaking at aNew York Climate Week session hosted by FoodTank, John Piotti, CEO of American FarmlandTrust (AFT), presented a systems-based approach to agricultural climate solutions, focusing onregenerative practices, farmland preservation, and farmer support. According to Piotti, …

storm

USDA NRCS in Florida Announces Office Closures Ahead of Storm

Dan Agri-Business, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Weather

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced the following offices will close today, September 25th, by 2 p.m. Eastern. The closings are in anticipation of the approaching Tropical Storm Helene which is predicted to strengthen into a hurricane before reaching the Florida coast Thursday. The NRCS offices affected include: NRCS will reopen offices on Friday, pending local conditions. …

am radio

AM Radio Bill Moves to House Floor

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

Efforts to keep AM radio in the dashboards of U.S. vehicles have taken a step forward in the House. The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 45-2 to send the proposed AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act to the full House for a vote. “It’s been a stalwart of American prosperity and information sharing,” says Representative Jeff Duncan (R-SC). “Having …

agricultural

Agricultural Production Losses from Hurricane Debby top $93M in Florida, UF Economists Estimate

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida

The agricultural production losses (.pdf) Florida experienced due to Hurricane Debby have an estimated value between $93.7 million and $263.2 million, according to a preliminary UF/IFAS Economic Impact Analysis Program (EIAP) report based on producer surveys. The Category 1 storm made landfall Aug. 5 near Steinhatchee, Florida, and affected more than 2.2 million acres of agricultural lands — 68% of it used …

tuberville

House Passes Bill to Protect U.S. Farmland

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the “Protecting U.S. Farmland from Foreign Adversaries Act”.  The legislation would increase scrutiny of foreign bids to purchase U.S. farmland, particularly from adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. It would add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States and include the secretary on …