The Trump Administration recently appointed Sherry McCorkle as the new State Executive Director for the USDA Florida/US Virgin Islands Farm Service Agency (FSA). McCorkle will join the Florida/US Virgin Islands FSA team on February 11, 2019. McCorkle most recently served as the deputy district director for representative Thomas J. Rooney (retired) and more recently representative Gregory Steube where she supported …
New Crops Proposed After Michael Devastation
Hemp and hops are being promoted among alternatives for crops wiped out by Hurricane Michael in the eastern Panhandle. Glen Aiken, director of the University of Florida’s North Florida Research and Education Center, said Monday the need for alternatives has grown as farmers in an eight-county region suffered most of the estimated $1.5 billion hit to the state’s agriculture industry …
Jennifer Houston of Tennessee Takes Helm of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Nearly 9,000 at Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in New Orleans Jennifer Houston of Sweetwater, Tenn., was named president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association at the organization’s annual meeting in New Orleans, La., Feb. 2. Houston had served as 2018 president-elect. Houston and her husband, Mark, own and operate East Tennessee Auction Market in Sweetwater. She has been active …
Canadian, Mexican Agriculture Leaders to Take Part in USDA’s 2019 Outlook Forum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that the agriculture leaders of Canada and Mexico will speak at USDA’s 95th Agricultural Outlook Forum (PDF, 113 KB), held Feb. 21-22, 2019, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. Minister Lawrence MacAulay of Canada and Secretary Victor Villalobos Arambula of Mexico will join U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for the forum’s keynote address …
Florida Set to Receive Funds as USDA Awards $200 Million to Agriculture Organizations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a $200 million award to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program to help the nation’s agriculture community identify and access new export markets. The Florida Department of Citrus was one of the specified organizations and is set to receive $550,000 in funding to promote citrus in various new markets. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried shared, “We’re thrilled the USDA has provided this opportunity …
Georgia Peanut Commission Research Report Day set for Feb. 6
The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 6, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus at 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, Georgia 31793. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available …
Remarks by Commissioner Nikki Fried at 2019 Florida Associated Press Day
Good afternoon, I’m Nikki Fried- I’m here today proudly serving as the first woman elected as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services. I want to thank all of you for your public service to our state and nation as journalists. Our democracy relies upon a free and strong press. And I want to give a special thank you to …
USDA Awards Agricultural Trade Promotion Program Funding
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $200 million to 57 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) to help U.S. farmers and ranchers identify and access new export markets. The ATP is one of three USDA programs created to mitigate the effects of unjustified trade retaliation against U.S. farmers and exporters. …
NCBA Announces 2019 Policy Priorities
Fake Meat, Trade, Dietary Guidelines, Regulatory Relief Top List The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released its official Policy Priorities for 2019. The release came as approximately 10,000 members of the cattle industry joined together for its annual convention and NCBA Trade Show, which is being held this week in New Orleans. This year’s Policy Priorities include a mix of familiar and …
Markets Expected to Continue Strong; Leverage Shift on the Horizon
During the first half of 2019, the United States will see a shift away from El Niño conditions as equatorial ocean currents begin to cool into the summer, Art Douglas, Ph. D., professor emeritus at Creighton University, told the audience during the popular 2019 CattleFax Outlook Seminar today. The session, held as part of the 2019 Cattle Industry Convention and …