FDACS Seeks Input from Produce Growers on the Farm to School Program

Dan Agri-Business, Education, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking input from produce growers in the state on the Farm to School Initiative. If you grow and market fresh produce of any kind, they want to hear from you. It’s all part of an effort to further develop the existing Initiative. FDACS is conducting a survey to better understand how farmers and schools are …

Legislation Would Exempt Farms from Emission Reporting

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Biofuels/Energy, Cattle, Dairy, Legislative, Livestock, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork, Regulation

Last week, a group of lawmakers introduced legislation to exclude reporting of routine emissions from livestock farms to state and local emergency response authorities. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) supports the legislation. Pork producers and other livestock industries have engaged with federal and state regulators for decades over permitting and reporting of air emissions. This engagement has included both …

NCBA Urges Opposition to Spartz Ag Appropriations Amendment

Dan Beef, Cattle, Legislative, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Regulation

The cattle industry is speaking out against a proposed amendment to the ag appropriations bill.  Introduced by Indiana Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05), the amendment states that none of the funds made available by the bill may be used to carry out commodity checkoff programs. Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Ethan Lane, says it …

USMEF Attending Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings

Dan Beef, Cattle, Education, Marketing, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)

Cattle producers from across the nation are in San Diego this week for the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meetings. One key focus of the conference will be industry efforts to bolster global demand for U.S. beef, which these efforts are funded in part by the Beef Checkoff Program and USDA market development programs. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO …

Around the State with Commissioner Pate

Dan Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Industry

In this week’s “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, we hear about a big event that took place this past weekend, and also about something coming to Alabama the first week of August. But Commissioner, starting with this past weekend’s event, I understand Sweet Grown Alabama Day was held.   Thanks Commissioner, and a reminder to support Sweet Grown Alabama every day. For more …

NPPC Submits Testimony on Importance of U.S. Pork Trade

Dan Exports/Imports, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork, Trade

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently submitted testimony for the congressional record on the importance of trade to the U.S. pork industry. It all took place at a field hearing in MN, to discuss “Trade in America: Agriculture and Critical Supply Chains.” In their testimony, NPPC said “Free and fair trade has helped the United States become an economic powerhouse. To maintain that …

Sweet Grown Alabama Day is Saturday

Dan Agri-Business, Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI)

Sweet Grown Alabama, the state’s non-profit agricultural branding program, will celebrate all things locally grown for “Sweet Grown Alabama Day” on Saturday, July 22. Participating in Sweet Grown Alabama Day is simple — do at least one activity that supports an Alabama farmer. Consumers can make a purchase from their local farmer, cook a meal made with local ingredients, pick …

U.S. Consumers’ Food Spending Hit Record High in 2022

Dan Economy, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

Consumers spent a record amount on food last year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows consumer spending on food reached a record in 2022. Real, or inflation-adjusted, annual food spending in the United States increased steadily from 1997 to 2022, except in 2008 and 2009 during the Great Recession …

GCC to Host Mid-Year Meeting Next Week

Dan Cotton, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers and industry leaders that its mid-year meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday, July 26, at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), highlighted what attendees can expect to learn about at next week’s meeting. “We’ve got a really good program put …