The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation have awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to 1,842 recipients, thanks to the generosity of 114 sponsors. More than 8,800 students applied online for the scholarships, with many of the applicants being considered for multiple awards. Approximately one in every five students who applied was awarded a scholarship. The scholarships were …
Texas Tech to Launch Veterinary School
Texas Tech University will launch the nation’s first new veterinary school in 40 years. The Amarillo, Texas city council recently approved an amendment to a 2016 agreement between Texas Tech and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to fund up to $69 million to ensure the construction of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. Leaders say that along with …
Florida Cattleman Donates Cow to UF Campus Food Pantry
At the University of Florida, 16 percent of those who visited the on-campus Alan and Cathy Hitchcock Field and Fork pantry mentioned the service was their sole source of food when they needed temporary assistance. While students working with the Field and Fork student gardens grow fresh seasonal vegetables for pantry users, the pantry runs low on protein sources. When …
‘Infectious Interest in Horticulture’ Helps Earn UF/IFAS Professor Top Honor
University of Florida environmental horticulture professor Sandra Wilson loves to teach, but just as importantly, she loves to hear about the successes of her former students. They find employment in their field. They get married. Those moments bring a gleam to her eyes. Former students are now adjunct professors, scientists, an entrepreneur, a horticultural and landscape foreman and more, she …
Commissioner Gary W. Black Commends the 2018-2019 Georgia FFA State Officer Team
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black would like to congratulate the 2018-2019 Georgia State FFA Officer Team that was elected Saturday, April 28 by delegates from over 300 FFA chapters. The eight member officer team will serve throughout the next year as advocates of agricultural education and the Georgia FFA Association. “These young men and women have demonstrated significant leadership …
USDA Aims to Rectify Its Shortage of Veterinarians
USDA is having a hard time finding veterinarians who specialize in animal husbandry, mainly because many go into the field to work with smaller animals, like cats and dogs. But according to a story from Stephanie Ho, this week USDA is seeking veterinarians to join its food safety and inspection team. USDA Aims to Rectify Its Shortage of Veterinarians FSIS …
New USDA Website for Farmers
USDA has started a new website, farmers.gov. As Tryon Spearman reports, it is a point of access to agricultural programs and information, tools and personal advice for America’s farmers, ranchers and private foresters. New USDA Website for Farmers
UF Leads Trend to Open Food Businesses with Workshops
Kimberly and George Vecchio wanted to reinvent their 20-acre farm near Vero Beach from mostly animals to produce so they could start a food business. Though George had been a gourmet chef for more than 20 years, they didn’t know how to start the new enterprise. “We didn’t know what questions to ask, or even where to start, even though …
Culver’s to Donate Custard Sales to FFA
Culver’s announced it will donate proceeds from custard sales to FFA on May 3rd. Proceeds from every scoop purchased will go to FFA and other local agricultural organizations, according to the restaurant chain. Thursday May, 3rd is Culver’s Scoops of Thanks Day. Scoops of Thanks Day is part of Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project. The project supports agricultural education programs, …
Farm Co-ops Applaud the American Food for American Schools Act
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives applauded the introduction of The American Food for American Schools Act. The legislation in the Senate will strengthen monitoring and enforcement of “Buy American” provisions of the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs, if approved. Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, says the last several years has seen …