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, …
Georgia 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. One of those 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 ground …
Longleaf Pine Initiative Developed for Southeast Landowners
Longleaf pine forests once encompassed more than 90 million acres across the Southeast, stretching from eastern Texas to southern Virginia. These forests represent some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and are home to nearly 600 plant and animal species. But over the past couple of centuries, development, timbering and fire suppression reduced the ecosystem’s range. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
FSA Administrator Explains Details of PLIP
USDA announced late last week that sign-up deadline for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP) has been extended to October 12th. PLIP is for swine, chicken and turkey producers who had to depopulate due to insufficient processing access as a result of the pandemic. Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux provides some details of the program. For more information, contact your local USDA Farm …
Florida Producers Invited to NRCS Local Working Group Meetings
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida invites local landowners and managers to attend Local Working Group Meetings. During 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 says these meetings are their major source of information. There are a variety of Local Working Group Meetings being …