USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities Amid Ongoing Pandemic

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15, 2021. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30, 2021. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting written agreement requests and …

EPA Nominee Meets with Farm Groups

(NAFB) — President-elect Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency met with farm group leaders Tuesday. Michael Regan, the EPA Administrator-designate, hosted a virtual round table with more than 16 members of the Ag CEO Council and staff. The Biden transition team says  Regan reiterated President-elect Joe Biden’s commitment to working with agricultural leaders to promote healthy and …

COVID-19 Taking Heavy Toll on Farmers’ Mental Health

(AFBF) — A strong majority of farmers/farmworkers say the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their mental health, and more than half say they are personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they were a year ago, according to a new American Farm Bureau poll. The survey of rural adults and farmers/farmworkers explores how the pandemic has affected their mental health personally and …

Looking at the COVID Relief Package for Cattle Producers

When Congress passed the COVID Relief Package last month, funding was earmarked for agriculture, including support for those left out of earlier assistance. While that does include livestock producers, how does it actually help those in the cattle industry? National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Government Affairs, Danielle Beck, explains what they know about the recently signed package. …

Agriculture Policy in the Next Administration

Some wonder what agriculture policy will look like in the Biden administration. Tyron Spearman has the story. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Importance of Highways to U.S. Agriculture

A recent study looks at the value of the nation’s highway system in the agriculture sector, including specific corridors with major volumes of Ag-related traffic. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted …

How to Care for Poinsettias Through Winter and Beyond

How to care for your Poinsettias through winter and beyond. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.  No other flower represents the winter holidays like the poinsettia. But these festive plants, which range from the traditional red to pale yellow, can be a mystery when it comes to care and maintenance. Some tips that can help extend those blooms, …

USDA, HHS Release Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Washington, D.C., December 29, 2020) – Nutrition in America took a major step forward today with the publication of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. Jointly published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years, the guidelines provide science-based recommendations designed to foster healthy dietary patterns for Americans of all ages – from …

Meat and Poultry Worker COVID Infection Rates Lower Than General Population

A new analysis of independent data for November shows that reported new COVID-19 infection rates among meat and poultry workers were more than eight times lower than the general population. Data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network says the meat and poultry sector reported an average of 5.57 new cases per 10,000 workers daily in November. Infection rates among …