(NRCS/FL) — Florida forest landowners in parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties can apply for financial assistance to manage invasive Cogongrass until March 26 from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $60,000 this fiscal year to remove the highly invasive Cogongrass in Florida. One of the world’s top-ten worst weeds, Cogongrass is threatening longleaf …
USDA to Investigate COVID-19 Spread in Meat Processing Facilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is initiating an audit of USDA actions that may have contributed to the spread of the COVID-19 in meat processing facilities. The USDA OIG initiated the audit in response to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet’s request last August for an investigation. Bennet says high infection rates early in the …
Florida Couple Pleased with NRCS CSP Contract
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners they are accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications for the fiscal year 2021 through March 26. A couple with a livestock operation in Frostproof, Florida has been pleased with their CSP contract. Arshad and Uma Malik raise sheep and goats on their Polk County farm, and have a CSP contract with prescribed grazing …
USDA Investing to Improve National Forest and Grassland Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they will invest $285 million to help the Forest Service address critical deferred maintenance and improve transportation and recreation infrastructure on national forests and grasslands. The investment is made possible by the newly created National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, established in 2020 by the Great American Outdoors Act. The …
Disaster Assistance Programs for Citrus
Two disaster assistance programs available to citrus growers were discussed during the virtual 2021 Louisiana State University AgCenter Citrus Symposium. The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) are both offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Services Agency (USDA-FSA). Jamie Rodreguez, a USDA-FSA county executive director in Louisiana, made the presentation. Rodreguez said …
Application Deadline Extended for the Quality Loss Adjustment Program
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of recent winter storms and some clarifications to program rules. This program assists producer who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying 2018 and 2019 natural disasters. “Because of …
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has announced they are accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets in the state. The application deadline for these grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is May 3, 2021. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits and vegetables, …
USDA in Georgia Announces April 2 Application Cutoff for CSP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced the statewide cutoff for the fiscal year 2021 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding is April 2, 2021. Georgia State Conservationist, Terrance O. Rudolph, urges all Georgia agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s funding to apply. “CSP is the nation’s largest conservation …
Program Pays Ranchers in Southwest Florida to Help Panthers
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants ranchers in the Southwest part of the state to know they may be able to get paid for helping the Florida panther. NRCS, through the Conservation Stewardship Program, will provide technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that improve its habitat. The signup deadline, through this Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, is March 26. The Florida panther lives …
Enrollment for 2021 ARC and PLC Programs Closes March 15
Agricultural producers are being reminded to make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year, as the signup period closes March 15, 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops. ARC provides income support payments on …