The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working to assist urban agricultural producers through their Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) projects under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It offers producers technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns on their land. NRCS serves all agriculture, large to small, conventional to organic, rural to urban. As American agriculture continues to grow in …
CSP Signup Deadline in Georgia is Friday
Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on conservation efforts in Georgia are being reminded of a nearing deadline. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). And while they accept CSP applications year-round, Georgia producers and landowners need to apply by Friday, April 1 to be considered for funding in the current cycle.? Agricultural …
Producers Encouraged to Learn More about EQIP
Each year, farmers face a unique set of challenges, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has programs to help in many cases. An example of that is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural and forestry producers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits. This includes improved water and air quality, conserved …
USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy
(Release No. 0069.22/USDA/AMS/WASHINGTON, Mar. 29, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by making sure that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced to the same consistent standard. “This …
Biden’s 2023 Budget Proposal: Ag and Rural Funds
President Joe Biden unveiled his budget proposal for fiscal year 2023, Monday. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the President’s budget provides USDA with “the tools needed to support a vibrant, revitalized, and prosperous rural America.” The budget includes more than $10 million for oversight and enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act as well as money to support innovation in …
GPC Celebrates National Peanut Month
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) used March, also known as National Peanut Month, to continue its promotion of Georgia peanuts. Joy Crosby, assistant executive director of the GPC, discusses some of the events that the organization participated in. “We were able to kick off National Peanut Month with our annual peanut butter and jelly day at the …
GCC, UGA Advise Cotton Growers to Plan Now to Save Later
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team implore the state’s producers to be prepared for planting season now so to avoid unnecessary trips through the field later. UGA Extension cotton agronomist Camp Hand said with input prices soaring, growers need to plan ahead to save money. “We don’t want to overlook …
Programs Announced by USDA to Increase and Expand Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity
Technical Assistance Now Available to Processors; $23.6 Million Available for Meat, Poultry Readiness Grant program (USDA/WASHINGTON, March 25, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of the Meat and Poultry Processing Capacity Technical Assistance Program (MPPTA) to provide technical assistance to meat and poultry grant applicants and grant-funded projects. Processors and applicants involved with the Meat and …
NCBA Welcomes Announcement on Japan-U.S. Trade Agreement
Thursday, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. and Japan had reached an agreement that will help keep more American beef flowing into Japan. And this is news that pleases the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). As part of the terms of the Japan–U.S. Trade Agreement, both countries entered consultations after the volume-based safeguard was triggered in …
Conservation Trends Highlight New USDA Report
A new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report shows use of no-till, crop rotations, more efficient irrigation methods and advanced technologies have climbed in recent years. The report, “Conservation Practices on Cultivated Cropland: A Comparison of CEAP I and CEAP II Survey Data and Modeling”, is from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). It demonstrates progress made through voluntary conservation over a …