This week, Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee Glenn “GT” Thompson and Representative Ron Kind of Wisconsin introduced a bipartisan bill to combat chronic wasting disease (CWD). CWD is a contagious, neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose and it is always fatal. There is no known cure for CWD and it is unclear how the disease is transmitted. …
Ag Groups Formally Object to EPA Chlorpyrifos Rule
This week, more than 80 agricultural groups filed formal objections to the Environmental Protection Agency’s August 30 rule to revoke all tolerances of chlorpyrifos. Stakeholders can object to pesticide tolerance changes or cancellations, and the EPA Administrator must then respond. In the coalition letter, the agriculture sector cited numerous concerns with EPA’s revocation decision, including the processes EPA used and …
Stay Vigilant on Handwashing and Hygiene
If you visited any public building or restroom during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have noticed an increased focus on handwashing and hygiene principles reflected in an abundance of signage on doors and in hallways. While it is great that public awareness has increased in the last 18 months, these have always been important principles, especially for all food-related businesses. …
Alabama NRCS Signup Includes EQIP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama recently announced their first program batching date for Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs. November 12, 2021 is the deadline to sign up for various programs. And NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Alabama, Steve Musser, says this includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to …
USDA Unveils New Climate Partnership Initiative, Requests Public Input
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is committed to partnering with agriculture, forestry and rural communities to develop climate solutions that strengthen rural America. Thus, they are requesting public comments on a new climate partnership initiative designed to create new revenue streams for producers via market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. USDA will support a set of pilot …
Georgia NRCS and Georgia Conservancy, Inc. Announce Project Sign-Up Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia and the Georgia Conservancy Inc. wants landowners in the state to know that a sign up for the Georgia Sentinel Landscape Project is underway. The deadline for eligible producers to apply is November 5, 2021. This state project is funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and was developed in conjunction with …
Signup Deadline Announced for Alabama’s Easement and Financial Assistance Programs
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced the first program batching date for Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs will be November 12, 2021. NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Alabama, Steve Musser, explains what programs are involved in this signup. While applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding is completed periodically through …
Georgia NRCS Announces Ag Conservation Easement Program Sign Up Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced a sign-up for this year’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). In order to be considered for fiscal year 2022 funding, applications must be submitted by November 5, 2021. ACEP is a program with two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph said, “ACEP …
USDA Launches First Phase of Soil Carbon Monitoring Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they will invest?$10?million?in?a new initiative to sample, measure, and monitor soil carbon on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres. The investment seeks to better quantify the climate outcomes of the program. USDA says CRP is an important tool in the Nation’s fight to reduce the worst impacts of climate change facing our farmers, …
Georgia NRCS Announces EQIP Sign Up Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced the statewide cutoff for fiscal year 2022 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. All Georgia agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s technical and financial assistance should apply by November 5, 2021. While customers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all general EQIP, …