By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers about enrollment in upcoming webinars hosted by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. The webinars’ focus is helping growers understand how the program helps meet industry demands while documenting and verifying sustainability practices already implemented in farms. Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, discusses the importance of enrolling in …
USDA Initiative to Create More and Better Market Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as part of their efforts to address food systems challenges arising from the pandemic as well as those going back decades, has announced plans for another $100 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act. The funding would leverage hundreds of millions more in lending through community and private sector lenders to expand …
Georgia NRCS Announces EQIP Sign Up Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced the statewide cutoff for fiscal year 2022 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. All Georgia agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s technical and financial assistance should apply by November 5, 2021. While customers can apply year round, this application cutoff announcement is for all general EQIP, …
Florida NRCS Reminds Landowners about Local Working Group Meetings
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners about the Local Working Group Meetings. At these meetings, farmers, ranchers, forest landowners, conservation partners and the public can discuss natural resource needs and priorities for their county. Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said these meetings are open to the public. NRCS and soil and water conservation districts host the meetings and provide …
Alabama Producers Encouraged to Learn More about EQIP
Farmers and ranchers face various challenges each year, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has programs to help in many of those cases. One is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which 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 ground and …
GPC Promoting Peanuts Through Multiple Sports Outlets
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) is partnering with multiple sports organizations this fall to promote Georgia peanuts. Jessie Bland, manager of promotions and marketing at GPC, discusses the importance of GPC’s working relationship with such organizations as the Atlanta Braves, NASCAR and college football teams like the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern. “The Georgia …
Groups Pleased with USDA Investment in Agriculture Announcement
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. Of the $3 billion investment, up to $500 million will be used to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). This will be through robust expansion and coordination of monitoring, surveillance, prevention, quarantine, and eradication activities through USDA’s …
USDA Invests $3 Billion in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers. The $3 billion in investments include assistance to address challenges and costs associated with drought, animal health, market disruptions for agricultural commodities and more. The support will be made available via the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Specifically, funds will be …
EQIP Signup Deadline in Florida is Friday
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners are being reminded you have until Friday, October 1 to apply for financial and technical assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year and this is for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners …
GCC: Cotton Growers Be Wary of Defoliation Drift
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team remind growers about the importance of on-target defoliation applications. Defoliation is the process by which the plant’s leaves must be removed before the cotton can be harvested. This helps speed up the plant’s maturity. Producers make a chemical application and, approximately two weeks later, …