Farmers, Nursery Growers Can Apply Now For State Coronavirus Assistance

Clint Thompson Alabama, Coronavirus

Alabama Farmers Federation By Jeff Helms MONTGOMERY, Ala., Sept. 15 — Alabama farmers and nursery growers negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic may begin applying for financial assistance through two programs administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI).  The signups are part of the $26 million Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program (AASP), which was funded with money received …

Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program Continues

Clint Thompson Alabama, Coronavirus

Of the CARES Act Funds, $26 million were recently awarded to assist Alabama agriculture impacted by COVID-19, and the funding for the various programs is being funneled through the Alabama Agricultural Stabilization Program (AASP). Of the seven programs being funded, the application deadline for three programs is today, September 15. This includes meat processors, fruit and vegetable processors and catfish …

FDACS Launches COVID-19 Farmworker Safety Video Series as Harvest Season Begins

Clint Thompson Coronavirus, Florida

Videos Follow Last Week’s Launch of Commissioner Fried’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign Tallahassee, Fla. – As the fall harvest season begins, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are launching a nine-part video series created to provide guidance on COVID-19 safety precautions for farmworkers. The videos follow the launch of Commissioner Fried’s farmworker heat illness prevention campaign last week. “Florida’s …

2021 World Ag Expo® Cancelled Due to COVID-19

Clint Thompson Coronavirus

Tulare, CA – For more than 52 years, World Ag Expo® has served agriculture by bringing buyers and sellers together to innovate, collaborate, and advance agriculture. In 2021, the show will not be held live for the first time in World Ag Expo® history. “After working with the Tulare County Health Department, it has become evident that given local and …

Ag Equipment Sales Continue Positive Trend in August

Clint Thompson General

Unit sales of agricultural tractors and self-propelled combines in August were positive for the fifth month in a row in the U.S. The trend also stayed above the previous year for the third consecutive month in Canada. The latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers shows U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 12.8% last month when compared to 2019. …

AEM Asking Congress to Extend FAST Act

Clint Thompson General

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and several industry partners sent a letter to Congressional leadership, asking for a one-year extension of the current surface transportation law. The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is set to expire on Sept. 30. “As our industry and our country continues to navigate the lasting effects of COVID-19, we need congressional leaders to …

USDA Modernizes Egg Product Inspection Rules

Clint Thompson General

For the first time in 50 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is making changes to egg product inspection methods. FSIS is aligning the Egg Products Inspection Regulations final rule to be consistent with current requirements in the meat and poultry products inspection regulations. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, USDA is …

Presidential Candidates Respond to AFBF Questionnaire

Clint Thompson General

For the past 40 years, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has asked every presidential candidate to provide responses to issues likely to impact and affect farmers and ranchers. Both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have provided their answers to this year’s questions, and AFBF is sharing those responses. The two candidates responded on several topics that …

UGA Cotton/Peanut Research Field Day Slated for Wednesday

Clint Thompson Cotton, General, Georgia, Peanuts

Event co-sponsored by Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and UGA Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams The Georgia Cotton Commission and Georgia Peanut Commission remind growers that it is not too late to register for this year’s virtual University of Georgia Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day. The half-day event is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 9 and will focus on …

Farmers are Participating in Virtual Farm Shows

Clint Thompson General

Farm Journal reports more than 50,000 farmers participated in its New American Farm Show experience. The ten-day experience included the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, Farm Journal Field Days and the #FarmON Benefit Concert. A survey of participants found 70% considered the overall experience as very good or outstanding. Meanwhile, 85% plan to participate in another virtual event, and 77% took …