The threat of a government shutdown continues to loom as hard right Republicans demand deep cuts on spending and lawmakers on both sides stay committed to their party lines. If there is a government shutdown, USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small says it would impact the lives of many farmers. “This would have a significant effect on farmers, in the …
New Crop Insurance for Tropical Storms Benefits Producers Impacted by Idalia
(USDA-RMA/WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent expansion of its hurricane crop insurance policy to cover tropical storms this year has already provided farmers with $85.4 million to help them recover from Hurricane Idalia. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) rolled out the new Tropical Storm Option for its Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) Endorsement earlier this year …
Idalia Agricultural Losses Estimated Up to $370M in Florida
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE,FL/Sept. 21,2023) — A preliminary report released Thursday by the University of Florida estimated up to $370.9 million in agricultural losses from Hurricane Idalia, which barreled through rural areas of North Florida in late August. And losses could increase as damage to infrastructure and such things as timber are factored in. Christa Court, director of the Economic Impact Analysis Program …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Cost-Share Assistance for Agricultural Producers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
~ Maximum grant for eligible producers raised from $50,000 to $150,000 ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 21,2023) — Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a cost-share assistance program to support agricultural producers severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The cost-share assistance program will be administered though the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy and will support …
Emergency Watershed Protection Assistance Available to Florida Communities Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS in FL) is encouraging local and state governments to serve as sponsors and request Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) assistance to relieve imminent hazards to life and property caused by Hurricane Idalia. Through EWP, NRCS provides assistance to local and state governments, for the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and …
Senator Tuberville Pushes for Farm Programs
While lawmakers continue the back-and-forth on the budget, some are keeping their eye on the Farm Bill. Speaking on the Senate Floor, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) made a plea for farmers. “The whole purpose of the Farm Bill is supposed to be to help farmers. What an idea. Yet seven out of eight dollars, again, seven out of eight dollars …
National Farm Health and Safety Week
It’s a week to focus on staying safe while working in agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This is National Farm Health and Safety Week and this year’s theme is ‘No one can take your place’. Laura Siegel, the health communications officer for AgriSafe Network, says the week is an annual reminder of how important it is …
Keeping an Eye on Energy Prices
Strong energy prices are being noted at this time. Mark Oppold has a look at what is happening and what could be expected. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
DeSantis, Cabinet Back Conservation Deals
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 18, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Monday quickly approved $141 million in deals that will help preserve land from the Panhandle to Southwest Florida. During a meeting held by telephone, DeSantis and Cabinet members supported three land purchases under the Florida Forever program. They also approved buying three conservation easements, which help preserve …
Secretaries of Education, Agriculture Call on Governors to Equitably Fund Land-Grant HBCUs
(USDA/WASHINGTON, September 18, 2023) — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack today sent letters to 16 governors emphasizing the over $12 billion disparity in funding between land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their non-HBCU land-grant peers in their states. The 16 governors receiving the letter are: There are HBCU land-grant institutions in …