The Supreme Court has been hearing oral arguments in the Sackett v. EPA case. This case considers the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act and will directly impact the Biden administration’s ongoing “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rulemaking. This is the fourth time the court has considered the definition of WOTUS, and 6 of the 9 justices …
Florida Cattlemen Providing Support for Ranchers Affected by Ian
The clean-up efforts after Hurricane Ian are underway in many areas of Florida, and that includes cattle ranches in certain areas of the state. And the Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) is helping to lead efforts to help producers affected by the storm. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked to FCA Director of Field Services Dusty Holley about what all is needed …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …
NCBA Participates in White House Conference
For the first time in more than half a century, President Biden this week hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The event was designed to catalyze action for the millions of Americans struggling with food insecurity and diet-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Various representatives from the agriculture industry attended, and that included National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) …
ECP Program for Natural Disaster Assistance
When natural events like hurricanes come in and cause significant damage to farms, there are a few federal programs that may be able to help. One of which is the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). It helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters through funding and technical assistance. For land to qualify for ECP funds, the damage …
USDA Extends Deadline for Grazing Land Agreements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the application deadline for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Cooperative Agreements. The new deadline is now October 6. USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Associate Chief, …
USDA Panel Targets County Committee
The Equity Panel investigating discrimination within the agency wants USDA to consider eliminating the county committee system that’s played a big role in managing the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA’s) agricultural programs. Industry Update Dot Com says the Fairness Committee voted to recommend in an interim report to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack that the USDA do research and analysis on possibly …
Keeping Livestock Inventory Records
With many eyes across the Southeast tracking the movement of Hurricane Ian, this is a good time to remind livestock producers about the importance of inventory records in the event of a natural disaster. When a disaster, like Hurricane Ian strikes, the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) can help you if you’ve suffered excessive livestock death losses and grazing or …
USDA Announces Florida Office Closures Due to Hurricane Ian
(USDA/NRCS/GAINESVILLE, FL – Sept. 27, 2022) — Due to Hurricane Ian, several of our Florida NRCS offices and USDA Service Centers will be closed the remainder of this week. Please call ahead to ensure your local NRCS or USDA Service Center office is open before visiting. Florida NRCS Office Locations Florida FSA Office Locations Temporary Office Closures include: Please click on the image …
Georgia Cattle Producers Urged to Prepare for Hurricane Ian
Georgia has activated their State Operations Center ahead of Hurricane Ian, and the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) wants producers across the state to be ready for any storm activity that may move into your area. GCA notes that In coordination with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, the National Weather Service, and other storm response partners, Governor Brian P. Kemp ordered the activation …