A new book from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture teaches children about the life of Norman Borlaug. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Hero for the Hungry is the latest book from Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture’s publishing venture, Feeding Minds Press. Author of the book, Peggy Thomas, says it shows readers how to use science …
A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm Hosted Mental Health Training in Troy
(ADAI/TROY, AL) — Leaders from several organizations across the state of Alabama participated in a QPR, (Question, Persuade, Refer) training hosted by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). The trainings are a vital part of the A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm initiative. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, an essential partner in this initiative, is assisting in …
NMPF on the False Promises of ‘Lab-Based’ Dairy
Much like plant-based imitators, precision fermentation technology is a sector working to create so-called animal-free dairy products. But, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President and Staff Counsel, Clay Detlefsen, says a real dairy product cannot be made with precision fermentation technology. During a recent interview with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, Detlefsen said the marketing of the products is …
USDA Releases Updated Trade Projections for 2022-23
The Department of Agriculture released updated trade projections for the remainder of fiscal year 2022 and the first projections for fiscal year 2023. The outlook follows the federal fiscal year, which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. Agriculture exports for 2023 are projected at $193.5 billion, with imports at $197 billion. The export forecast is $2.5 billion …
USDA Awards Grants to Further Strengthen Meat and Poultry Supply Chains
(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 31, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced an additional $21.9 million of funding is being awarded to 111 grant projects through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program (MPIRG), bringing total funding to $54.6 million. This year’s awards will fund projects in 37 states. The funding will help strengthen and develop …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Local Work Group Meetings
Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia join forces each year to host local work group meetings. During these meetings, local input is gathered from agricultural producers, private forestland managers, conservation organizations and natural resource agencies to help identify and prioritize the natural resource concerns most important for the area. The local …
USDA Investing in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Earlier this month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and …
Application Deadline Nearing in Florida for New Water Conservation System Practice
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) In Florida wants to remind nursery owners about a newly approved conservation practice. The Water Conservation System, commonly known as an Evaporative Cooling Pad, will help reduce water and energy while improving plant productivity. This conservation practice is available for Florida nursery operations and existing greenhouses, and can also be used for cooling livestock and poultry facilities. …
Interest Expense Ratio for Agriculture Stays Even with 20-year Average
USDA’s Economic Research Service reports the interest expense ratio of farms was 0.04 in 2020, remaining in line with the long-term trend and initial forecasts, despite the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for agricultural commodities. The interest expense ratio is calculated by dividing interest expenses by the sum of the value of production and Government payments for a given …
Application Deadline for EQIP is Sept 2 in Florida
Agricultural producers and landowners in Florida are reminded the deadline to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is Friday, September 2nd. Through EQIP, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida can provide producers and landowners with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements that address resource concerns. Once an application has been filed, the local NRCS conservation …