This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of …
WHIP-Plus Payments Going Out to Eligible Producers
More than $1 billion in payments are being released over the next several weeks for ag producers with approved applications for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program and for those who have already received payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). Farm Service Agency Administrator, Zach Ducheneaux, notes this second round of WHIP+ payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is …
Assistance Helps Florida Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1, 2021 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, ag landowners may receive financial and technical …
New USDA Grants to Benefit Meat and Poultry Inspection Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $55.2 million in competitive funding will be available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant (MPIRG) program. The new program is being funded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. “We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the …
Beef in the Classroom for Georgia Students
While the summer grilling season is underway, efforts are also underway for schools to reopen in a couple of months. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Director of Public Relations Taylor Evans, explains what they are doing to promote beef in schools across the state. GBB has a variety of materials available for teachers and students. From recipes to beef cut charts, …
Agriculture Sec. Vilsack Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Pollinator Week
(WASHINGTON, June 21, 2021) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proclamation to recognize the designation of the week of June 21 – 27, 2021 as National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as birds, bats, bees, and other insects, play an important role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. Honey …
Florida Natural Resource Meeting Web Conference is Wednesday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will conduct a State Technical Committee meeting Wednesday, June 23 from 10 a.m.- noon Eastern. NRCS will seek recommendations and provide a report for fiscal year 2022 natural resource and program priority decisions during the web conference. That’s Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez. While the State Technical Committee has no implementation or …
More Production, Demand for Dairy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expecting more dairy cows and therefore more milk production the next couple of years. According to a story from Rod Bain, the USDA is also expecting more demand for dairy products. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Critical …
GCC Encourages Producers to Join Cotton Trust Protocol
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) continues to encourage producers to join the Cotton Trust Protocol. It’s an initiative that helps promote the sustainability efforts of cotton producers across the country. “The point of the program is to tell a story to the consumer. We’ve talked many times over the past 10 years how interested consumers are …
USDA to Invest $5 Million in Wetland Mitigation Banks
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an investment up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). It is a grant program that supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, government entities, nonprofits, and other organizations. “Wetlands are critical to our efforts …