Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Sept. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Holmes County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …
Florida Beef Council Congratulates Masters of Beef Advocacy Program for Major Milestones
With Help from Florida, National Program Celebrates 10 Years, 15,000 Graduates (FBC-September 10, 2019) — Beef producers in Florida are helping salute a program achieving major milestones in beef advocacy across the country. The Beef Checkoff-funded Masters of Beef Advocacy program celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2019 by welcoming its 15,000th graduate. The MBA program, which many Florida producers have …
4-H Volunteer Spotlight: Denise Erekson
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-September 10, 2019) — When Denise Erekson and her family moved from Texas to Hardee County, Florida, in 2009, she was looking for ways to get her five daughters involved in their new community. She soon met Carolyn Wyatt, director of UF/IFAS Extension Hardee County, who suggested that Denise’s daughters join 4-H. Though Denise had never been a …
State, Federal Leaders Announce Next Steps for Hurricane Michael Disaster Aid
Applications for assistance open on September 11 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sen. David Perdue-September 10, 2019) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), Governor Brian Kemp, and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black announced that agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Michael, or other natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, can apply for …
SBA Working Capital Loans Available in Alabama Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration
ATLANTA (SBA-September 10, 2019) — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Geneva County, Alabama as a result of drought beginning June 25, 2019. “This county is eligible because it is contiguous to one or more …
SBA Working Capital Loans Available in Florida Following Secretary of Agriculture Disaster Declaration
ATLANTA (SBA-September 10, 2019) — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in Holmes, Jackson, Walton and Washington counties in Florida as a result of drought that began on June 25, 2019. “When the Secretary of Agriculture …
UF Agronomy ‘At the Cutting Edge of Feeding the World’
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS September 9, 2019) — Diane Rowland’s first professional job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Peanut Research Laboratory set her on what she says has been an unanticipated path concerning the world’s food supply. Now, as the new chair of the University of Florida’s agronomy department, Rowland recognizes the critical role her department plays in the …
Court Backs Lawmakers in Conservation Fight
TALLAHASSEE (NSF-September 9, 2019) — In a blow to environmental groups, an appeals court Monday overturned a circuit judge’s ruling that said state lawmakers improperly diverted money that flowed from a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to boost land and water conservation. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson erred …
USDA Resources Available for Farmers Hurt by 2018, 2019 Disasters
Signup begins Sept. 11 for more than $3 billion in aid. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, including Hurricane Dorian, can apply for assistance through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Signup for this U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) program will begin Sept. 11, 2019. “U.S. …
Organic Farmers to Harvest Record Acres in 2019
Mercaris issues Annual Acreage Report, organic farm ‘heat map’ tool Silver Spring, MD, (MERCARIS-Sept. 9, 2019) — Organic commodity farmers will harvest a record number of acres across the U.S. this year despite the weather and trade challenges plaguing agriculture in 2019. According to the Annual Acreage Report, released today by Mercaris, farmers will harvest 3.1 million acres of U.S. land …