(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which include 58 standards that have been updated or revised since August. The 2018 Farm Bill required USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to review all 169 of its national conservation practices to seek opportunities …
Popular UF/IFAS Vegetable Gardening Guide now Available in Spanish
(UF/IFAS) — With COVID-19 lingering, it might be a good time to use your green thumb to grow some vegetables in your garden. While you’re at it, you can get help from the UF/IFAS Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide — now also in Spanish — and as a downloadable web app. Because we’re nearing the holidays, let’s look at some vegetables you …
2020 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections Underway
Ballots Have Been Mailed to Eligible Voters (USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mailed ballots for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country. To be counted, ballots must be returned to the local FSA county office or postmarked by December 7. “FSA has over 7,000 county committee members …
Injuries and Illnesses in Poultry Processing Fall Below All Manufacturing for First Time
(NCC) — The incidence of occupational injuries and illnesses within the poultry sector’s slaughter and processing workforce has fallen below all manufacturing for the first time since the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) began recording injuries and illnesses information in 1994. The total recordable poultry processing illness and injury rate for 2019 was 3.2 cases per 100 …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Joins Cotton 2040’s Platform and Sustainability Guide
Trust Protocol recognized for its verified farm-level data and constant improvementas Cotton 2040 aims to encourage the use of sustainable cotton (CTP) — The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has been invited to join Cotton 2040. Convened by sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future, the Cotton 2040 coalition is a unique partnership that brings together representatives from standards, producers, brands and …
AFBF Statement on President-Elect Joe Biden’s Victory
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall:“The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates President-elect Biden on his election, as well as the representatives and senators elected to serve in the 117th Congress. “President-elect Biden will be presented with opportunities to improve the lives of rural Americans and this nation’s farmers and ranchers, who are facing …
AFBF Statement on the National Vote Count
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall: “A record number of Americans turned out to fulfill their civic duty and cast their ballots. We hold the right to vote as the foundation of our democracy. Behind each vote is a voice, and it is crucial that we all be heard this election. …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Holding State Technical Committee Meetings
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia will be hosting two meetings of the State Technical Committee via teleconference on November 12 and 19, both from 9:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. Coordinates for the teleconferences will be provided to non-Committee members who pre-register by emailing: tyler.wilhite@usda.gov by close of business two days before each meeting date. …
USDA Announces Full-Cycle Special EQIP Funding Available in Alabama
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Ben Malone has announced availability of Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds for farmers who were affected by recent heavy rainfall. Applications for financial assistance will be accepted through December 4, 2020. Alabama counties recently experienced extensive damage due to extreme wind speeds and high rainfall amounts. This caused excessive soil …
UF/IFAS, FDACS seek help in spreading the word on COVID-19 testing to Florida agricultural workers
(UF/IFAS) — The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (UF/IFAS) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) encourage as many agricultural workers as possible to be tested for COVID-19. Farmworkers will have access to numerous no-cost COVID-19 testing events in some of Florida’s top agricultural counties. Below is a list of upcoming sites. Support for …