In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, last week the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) held their annual meeting in Wyoming. Commissioner, I understand you were there so can you tell us a bit about this event? NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of …
APHIS Finalizes Changes to Import Regulations for Horses
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is finalizing amendments to its import regulations for horses. These amendments will better align our regulations with international standards and allow more flexibility for permitted imports, while continuing to mitigate the risk of bringing equine diseases into the United States. The regulations also provide APHIS with …
Few US Adults Rate Their Diet Good or Excellent
How good is your diet? Few of us would say it’s excellent. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) show Americans don’t have high ratings for their diets. In the period covering January 2017 to March 2020, just under three in ten adults, or 29 percent, reported the healthfulness of their …
USDA Announces Projects to Boost Access to Green Space for Millions
Historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will increase urban tree cover, boost equitable access to nature, and improve climate resilience in communities covered by the Justice40 Initiative (USDA/WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2023) — Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service is awarding more than $1 billion in competitive grants to plant and maintain …
Alabama NRCS Holds State Technical Committee Meeting
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS in AL) recently hosted the FY23 NRCS State Technical Committee meeting for stakeholders and partners. The event took place at the Auburn University, Forestry, Wildlife and Environment building conference hall. This committee serves in an advisory capacity on technical matters related to NRCS program delivery and was the first in-person State Technical Committee …
Farm Bureau Shines Innovation Spotlight on Ag
Shining a spotlight on innovative startups in ag. That’s coming up on This Land of ours. The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, is shining a spotlight on start-up companies focused on advancing agricultural innovation by naming the top 10 teams in the 2024 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. “The future of American agriculture is bright due …
Disaster Assistance Provided to Farmers, Livestock Producers in Florida Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. (USDA-NRCS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Sept. 12, 2023) — Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical …
Milk Loss Assistance Available for Dairy Operations Hurt by Disasters
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced Milk Loss Program (MLP) assistance for eligible dairy operations for milk that was dumped or removed, without compensation, from the commercial milk market due to qualifying weather events and the consequences of those weather events that inhibited delivery or storage of milk (e.g., power outages, impassable roads, infrastructure losses, etc.) during calendar years 2020, …
Florida Agricultural Landowners Encouraged to Apply for EQIP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS in FL) wants landowners affected by Hurricane Idalia to know they can provide assistance through conservation program contracts. More specifically, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) conservation practices can help agricultural landowners and producers address disaster related resource concerns on their land. “The Natural Resources Conservation Service remains committed to helping the people of Florida …
USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Farmers and Livestock Producers in Florida Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
Florida agricultural operations that have been impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events are being reminded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) there is both technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist …