U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). It will take several actions to assist farmers, ranchers, and consumers in response to the COVID-19 national emergency. In a phone interview with AgNet Media, Perdue discussed the challenges many farmers have encountered. Perdue told us the program will provide immediate relief for farmers and ranchers …
Farm Groups Defend Glyphosate Reregistration
(NAFB) — A coalition of commodity groups seeks to block a challenge that would toss out the Environmental Protection Agency’s plans to reregister glyphosate. The group filed a joint motion to intervene on April 20 in the case to support EPA’s decision. The Natural Resources Defense Council is challenging the reregistration approval. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used …
Lawmakers Seek Support for Local Media
(NAFB) — More than 200 lawmakers seek federal assistance for local news and media outlets suffering from the lack of advertising funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawmakers say that in times of emergency and disaster, the public turns to their local media, and advertising plays an incredible role in funding those outlets. A letter to the Trump administration says …
COUNTRY Financial Ready to Help Farmers Plan for Retirement
There are many business decisions that need to be considered for farmers who are close to retirement. COUNTRY Financial Senior Financial Specialist Tom Royer, talked with Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman about these decisions. They also talk about what areas farmers need to look at in order to prepare for a successful retirement. Financial professionals can help farmers plan for success …
NRCS Chief on Regional Conservation Partnership Program
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced it is investing in conservation projects across 29 states, including Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), NRCS will award $206 million for 48 projects while leveraging nearly $300 million in partner contributions. NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr explains how the USDA Farm Bill program brings partners together to …
Perdue Says There’s Plenty of Food
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says there’s no shortage of food in this country, that it’s just taking the food system a little time to adjust to the new demand situation. Gary Crawford has the story. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told reporters at the White House this week that it’s taking a little bit of time for the food system to …
UF Surveys to Identify Impact of Pandemic on Florida’s Agriculture and Marine Industries
(UF/IFAS) — With agriculture and marine industries occupying a large portion of Florida’s economy, the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) wants to better understand how measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 are impacting these sectors. Starting today, faculty from the UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics (FRE) department are deploying surveys to UF/IFAS Extension agents …
DHS and USDA Move to Protect American Farmers
Ensure Continued Flow of America’s Food Supply Department to Temporarily Amend Certain H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 National Emergency (USDA) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the …
Helping Farmers Get Set for a Successful Retirement
Some farmers across the country are working later in life because they believe they can’t retire right now or are in no rush to move on. But that day will come when figuring out how to buy xrp might be important and advanced financial planning is always an important part of any operation. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman recently asked COUNTRY …
Farmers Give to Food Banks in Time of COVID-19
(UF/IFAS) — With the COVID-19 shutdowns increasing people’s need for food, some consumers rely on nonprofits for a bite to eat. To help, farmers in Florida and elsewhere are donating excess produce to food banks, said a UF/IFAS expert. In fact, some food banks are helping farmers by offsetting some of their costs, thus incentivizing growers to harvest food they …