While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently held a batching sign up for 2022 programs, they want to remind producers and landowners technical or financial assistance can be applied for year-round. Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph wants you to know that applications are accepted on a continuous basis, and this includes for their popular Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Rudolph said, …
USDA-NRCS in Alabama Encourages Producers to Contact Local Offices
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama recently held their first program batching deadline for Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs. But they want to remind eligible landowners and agricultural producers that continuous sign up is offered for many of their popular programs. NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Alabama, Steve Musser, encourages producers, no …
Florida State Conservationist Promoting EQIP
Many producers and landowners are familiar with the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). But some may not be familiar with all of the practices offered under EQIP. So, Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), wants you to know that EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Through EQIP, assistance is available to help producers and landowners plan and …
Learn About the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama and Georgia encourages producers and eligible partners to learn more about the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, ACEP is a program with two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements will …
FSA County Committee Elections Continue
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind agricultural producers and private landowners the Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee Elections continue. But the deadline to return ballots to your local FSA county office, or for them to be postmarked, is December 6, 2021. Elections are occurring in certain local areas for committee members who make important decisions about how federal …
NRCS in Florida Announces Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Signup
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they are accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While NRCS does accept ACEP applications year-round, producers and landowners should apply by December 31, 2021 to be considered for funding in the current cycle. ACEP provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands …
USDA Investing $32 Million to Strengthen U.S. Food Supply Chain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday they will be investing $32 million in grants through awards to 167 meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities to support expanded capacity and efficiency through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, “Today’s investment supports local and regional meat and poultry processors as they recover from …
Vilsack: Nothing in Build Back Better Bill Threatens Farmers
While some in agriculture question the Biden Administration’s Build Back Better Bill, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says he respectfully disagrees with those who say that it will cause the loss of family farms. AFBF President Zippy Duval told farm reporters last week that the bill’s costs outweighed increases for farm programs. But Vilsack said the bill actually has provisions that …
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on House Passage of President Biden’s Build Back Better Act
(WASHINGTON, Nov. 19, 2021) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement following House Passage of President Biden’s Build Back Better bill. The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration. “Now more than ever Americans need this important piece of legislation to build up the middle-class and American competitiveness, to ensure the people of rural communities have a …
Pandemic Assistance Heading to Poultry, Livestock Contract Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Thursday they are starting to issue some $270 million in payments to contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry who applied for Pandemic Assistance. Earlier this year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) identified gaps in assistance including in the initial proposal to assist contract growers. “We listened to feedback from producers and stakeholders about impacts …