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 …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Launches Keep Florida Growing Webpage
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried launched the Keep Florida Growing webpage, a one-stop online portal with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ COVID-19 food and agriculture-related information for Florida’s farmers and ranchers, consumers, and news media. Fried first announced the new page in this #KeepFloridaGrowing social media video. “With COVID-19 deeply affecting not only Floridians but also agriculture, our state’s second-largest economic …
Farmers and Ranchers Ready to Meet Increased Food Bank Needs
(AFBF) — As food banks struggle to keep up with dramatic increases in demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic, farmers and ranchers are eager to work with the Agriculture Department to bridge the supply gap and get farm products to those in need, according to a letter from the American Farm Bureau Federation and Feeding America. The organizations praised USDA’s leadership through …
New Partnerships Emerge for COVID-19 Relief
Florida Farmers Team with State Leaders to Launch Farm to Inmate Program Harvested produce crops feed Florida Department of Corrections’ (FDC) more than 87,000 inmates; action saves food costs while reducing COVID-19 related supply chain impacts. (FFA) — Florida farmers are uncovering new solutions to address supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic. With Florida’s emergency order to shutter businesses …
FDA Reassures Consumers That Food is Safe
(NAFB) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants to once again reassure American consumers that food is available and safe to eat during the coronavirus outbreak. The FDA released a 30-second PSA last week designed to cut through confusion and misinformation about the food supply during the pandemic. It reiterates the message the FDA and the fresh produce industry …