(AFBF) — The U.S. State Department clarified its ban on non-citizens entering the United States from South Africa. A Biden administration proclamation suspended travel from several countries due to COVID-19 concerns. The State Department clarified that agriculture workers entering the U.S. qualify for national interest exceptions on a case-by-case basis. The American Farm Bureau Federation sent a letter to Secretary …
Alabama Farmers Federation Celebrates Anniversary
(ALFA) — Alabama Farmers Federation kicked off its centennial year and celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Alfa Insurance® this week at the organization’s home office in Montgomery. Founded in 1921, the Federation represents more than 350,000 member families through county organizations in all 67 Alabama counties. Jimmy Parnell, who serves as president of the Federation and Alfa®, said the Federation’s …
Senate Ag Committee Schedules Vilsack Confirmation Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee scheduled a confirmation hearing for Agriculture Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack. The committee will meet Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 10:30 a.m. ET, to consider the nomination. Committee leadership, Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow and Arkansas Republican John Boozman, made the announcement Wednesday. Vilsack is expected to enjoy a smooth confirmation process. Vilsack previously served as Agriculture Secretary for …
Agriculture Calendar
Looking at agricultural events on the calendar, Tyron Spearman reports while one has been canceled, another one will be held later this week, virtually. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Considers Efforts Important to Cattle Producers in FloridaDecember 12, 2025Commitment …
Family-Owned Farms Account for 96% of U.S. Farms
Family farms comprise 96% of all U.S. farms and 82% of the value of all agricultural products sold. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently released the data in the 2017 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report. The report focuses on the family farm, defined as any farm where the majority of the business is owned …
Farmer Co-ops Applaud White House Call to Buy American
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives applauded President Joe Biden’s Buy American executive order signed this week. The action supports manufacturers, businesses and workers to ensure that federal purchasing programs follow Buy American requirements. The order seeks to close loopholes in how domestic content is measured, create a new position at the Office of Management and Budget to oversee the …
Contract Poultry Growers Now Eligible for CFAP Funds
(ACES) — Changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) announced earlier this month is good news for Alabama’s contract poultry growers. “The USDA changes mean that relief funds are available to contract poultry and other contract growers affected by COVID-19 market changes,” said Dennis Brothers, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System agricultural economist. Brothers said contract poultry growers need to understand …
Growing the Future of Agriculture Through Give FFA Day
The National FFA Organization will again hold Give FFA Day. Through generous donations from FFA supporters in 2020, students and teachers across the country continued to make a difference. During National FFA Week, individuals will have an opportunity to step up and support FFA and agricultural education through Give FFA Day on Thursday, Feb. 25. The organization has a goal …
Meatpacking Workers Offered Bonuses to Get COVID-19 Vaccinations
JBS, a meatpacker, and Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a chicken company, say they’ll pay $100 to American workers who voluntarily get the COVID-19 vaccine. Yahoo News Dot Com says thousands of U.S. meatpacking workers were infected last year, so the bonus will, hopefully, encourage employees to get the inoculations. COVID outbreaks temporarily halted most meat production in the spring of 2020, …
Biden Names Acting Federal Agency Leaders
(NAFB) — President Joe Biden designated acting leaders to federal agencies to oversee the government until his political appointments are confirmed upon taking office. Biden assigned Kevin Shea as the acting Agriculture Secretary. Shea will assume the duties until the Senate confirms Biden’s pick, Tom Vilsack, for the top post at USDA. Shea has been the administrator of USDA’s Animal …