U.S. and South Korea Reach Agreement on Guaranteed Market Access for American Rice

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops, Trade

(USDA) – United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue are pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached an agreement with the government of South Korea on market access for U.S. rice. Under the agreement, Korea will provide access for 132,304 tons of U.S. rice annually, with an annual value of approximately $110 million. …

24 Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 24 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The Georgia counties with the primary natural disaster designation include Banks, Bartow, Carroll, …

13 Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 13 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton, and Warren, who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency …

DeSantis Praised, Criticized on Environmental Spending

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis drew praise as “a true environmental leader” but was also criticized for not putting more money toward the Florida Forever program and failing to adequately prepare the state for climate change as he released a proposed $91.4 billion budget on Monday. DeSantis received the mixed reviews from environmental groups for his spending plan, which included …

DeSantis Touts to Continue “Momentum” on Environmental Issues

Dan Economy, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed a $91.4 billion state budget for next year, touting plans to funnel more money to public-school teachers and continue “momentum” on environmental issues. The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare for the January start of the annual legislative session, which will include negotiating a budget for the fiscal year that …

2020 Plant Trends Head Off the Beaten Garden Path

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops

(UF/IFAS) — Expect to see more eco-conscious and unconventional plants in homes and gardens for 2020, according to horticultural experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Below are some of the hottest trends to look for in the new year. Plants are considered native to your area if they naturally occur there. “One trend I …

Food Trends 2020: Meal Kits, Convenience Store Nutrition and Drinkable Collagen

Dan General, Industry News Release

(UF/IFAS) — Most people think of collagen as a protein used for cosmetic purposes that you get in a jar, but prepare for drinkable collagen. If you think that’s interesting, try going online to order meal kits – full of just-the-right ingredients for the dishes you want to prepare. Those are a couple of the fearless forecasts from UF/IFAS faculty …

Japan Likely to Vote on U.S. Trade Pact This Week

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Trade

(NAFB) — Media reports in Japan are saying that the parliament is likely to start voting on a trade pact with the U.S. sometime this week. The lower house of the Japanese Diet will take up the pact Wednesday, while the upper house, called the House of Councilors, will begin considering the deal the next day. A Japan Times report …

USDA Issues Second Tranche of Market Facilitation Program

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the second tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. Producers of MFP-eligible commodities will now be eligible to receive 25 percent of the total payment expected, in addition …

13 Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release

Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available  (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 13 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton, and Warren, who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency …