The deadline to apply for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) annual Century & Heritage Farm and Bicentennial Farm programs is Friday, August 25. ADAI created these programs to help recognize and celebrate family farms that have significantly impacted Alabama history and agriculture. A Century Farm is one that has been in the same family continuously for at least 100 years and …
California Continues to Lead U.S. Peach Harvest
What state is the leader in peach production? The answer may surprise you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While Georgia is on many consumers’ minds when it comes to fresh, juicy peaches, California is by far the largest peach-producing state in the United States. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) reports that last year, California’s harvest yielded 475,000 …
Commissioner Pate Advises Horse Owners to Vaccinate for EEE & West Nile Virus
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/August 23, 2023) — Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner Rick Pate has announced that a horse has tested positive for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) by the ADAI’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory in Auburn. The positive result originated from a horse in Baldwin County. EEE is a mosquito-transmitted disease that is more severe than West Nile Virus (WNV). The mortality …
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $150M to Connect Underserved and Small Acreage Forest Landowners to Emerging Climate Markets?as part of Investing in America Agenda
(USDA/BRUNSWICK, GA/August 22, 2023) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $150 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, available to help underserved and small acreage forest landowners connect to emerging voluntary climate markets. These markets can provide economic opportunities for landowners and incentivize improved forest health …
Alabama State Beef Checkoff Vote is Thursday
Coming up this Thursday, a big vote will be taking place for Alabama beef producers. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President, Erin Beasley, is encouraging producers across the state to get out and vote for the Alabama State Beef Checkoff. Click here to learn more about the Referendum. But that vote again will take place Thursday, August 24th. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Cattle Producers Direct NCBA Action on Cell-Cultured Products
During the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA’s) Summer Business Meeting in July, members did pass a directive to continue the association’s advocacy efforts on transparent labeling and inspection of cell-cultured protein products. NCBA President Todd Wilkinson talked about this during a recent Beltway Beef podcast. This directive was brought forward by the California Cattlemen’s Association, Florida Cattlemen’s Association and the Tennessee Cattlemen’s …
USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act
A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …
Climate Smart Cotton Program Applications Deadline Looming
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission reminds its growers that applications are currently being received for the Climate Smart Cotton Program, a five-year initiative led by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. Producers must first enroll in the Trust Protocol by Sept. 1 and upload their 2023 bales by March 1, 2024. Applications for the Climate Smart Cotton Program are …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
This week in our “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Andy Tipton, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Industries’ Food Safety/Ag Compliance Division is in this week for Commissioner Pate, and he talks with Sabrina Halvorson about how the Food Safety Division keeps our food supply safe. That’s our weekly Around the State with Alabama Department of …
Adult Obesity Rates Increased During First Year of Pandemic
If you gained a bit of weight during the pandemic, you weren’t alone. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that adult obesity increased during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Broad efforts to contain COVID-19 included travel, work, and social restrictions. Such behavioral adjustments disrupted the dietary and activity …