The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production. As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …
Signup Continues in Alabama for Climate-Smart Agriculture Funding
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners nationwide to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided dollars for climate smart agriculture through several conservation programs. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama is making funding available for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Within …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Conservation Innovation Grants Funding Opportunity
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently announced the availability of the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) funding to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches in technologies in Georgia. Applications are accepted from eligible entities and shown in section C of Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Conservation Innovation Grants State Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) announcement of …
USDA Awards CIG Projects in Florida
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is investing $40 million this year for 31 new projects through its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, one of the ways USDA brings together partners to develop innovative approaches to climate-smart agriculture. These projects, through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and develop market-based solutions …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
This week in our “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Assistant Commissioner Bob Plaster fills in for Commissioner Pate. Bob, I understand you hosted a listening session last week. What was it all about? Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida …
Momentum Continues for U.S. Pork Exports in February; Beef Exports Below Year-Ago
U.S. pork exports remained strong in February, seeing double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value. But, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), beef exports were lower year-over-year despite improvement from the low totals posted in January. February pork exports totaled 219,729 metric tons (mt), up 11% from a …
Georgia Cotton Commission Approves ’24 Research
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s approved funding for research conducted for the 2024 season at the University of Georgia speaks volumes about its commitment to the long-term sustainability of cotton in Georgia. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, discussed the funding which was approved during its March board meeting. “They decided to allocate $740,609 for …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Appointment of Rick Dolan as Director of the Florida Forest Service
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of Rick Dolan as State Forester and Director of Florida Forest Forest, a division of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “I am pleased to announce Rick Dolan as our new Florida Forest Service Director. With his decades of experience, and proven leadership and emergency management skills, I am …
Latest Efforts in Meat and Poultry Labeling
USDA’s announcement of clearer definitions of Product of USA labels for meat, poultry, and egg products is the latest in a series of attempts to create and define such a labeling class. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Extends Signup for IRA-Funded Conservation Programs
State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph has extended the recently announced sign-ups for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that utilize funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These signups that utilize IRA funding to provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation …