USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that they will conduct a State Technical Committee meeting Wednesday, March 3. This virtual conference will be chaired by Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez. He looks at some of the topics for this year’s meeting. The State Technical Committee is composed of individuals and groups from a variety …
GCC Encourages Participation in Various Leadership Roles
Leadership is important for the cotton industry. Georgia is fortunate to have several key cotton voices hail from the Peach State and serve in significant capacities, says Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC). “We’re the second biggest cotton-growing state. We have about 3,500 family farmers that grow cotton in Georgia. We are fortunate to have an …
Florida NRCS Announces CRP Signup
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they are now accepting Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications for the fiscal year 2021. Through CSP, NRCS helps agricultural producers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land. CSP also encourages the adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Changes in the 2018 Farm Bill authorized NRCS to …
Native Legume for Improving Pastures in the Southern U.S.
Legumes are plants within the bean family capable of fixing nitrogen. Legumes can enhance conservation tillage systems, improve soil quality, reduce nitrogen requirements on row crops and pasture lands, enhance wildlife habitat, enhance pasture and hay land quality, and reduce soil erosion in cropland and critical areas. Warm and cool-season legume species produce high-quality forage and seed throughout the year …
Important Dates: GCC Reminds Producers of Upcoming Deadlines
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds producers of several deadlines for programs that are coming up in March, says executive director Taylor Sills. “Right now the deadline for the QLA, Quality Loss Adjustment program for the 2018 and 2019 crops is set for March 5,” Sills said. “We also want to remind people that their program election for ARC and …
USDA Clarifies Rules Concerning Unsolicited Seed Packages
After a months-long investigation into thousands of reports from people who received unsolicited seed packages in the mail last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing additional guidance to help online buyers and sellers comply with U.S. laws when they import seeds and live plants for planting from other countries. APHIS …
Rules Clarified for Buying / Selling Seeds and Plants Online From Other Countries
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing additional guidance to help online buyers and sellers comply with U.S. laws when they import seeds and live plants from other countries. The information, available on the APHIS website, is essential to help protect critical U.S. agriculture infrastructure and natural resources from potential invasive pest and disease …
USDA, FDA Offer Update on Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging
The following statement about COVID-19 and its impact through food or food packaging can be attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commission Janet Woodcock: After more than a year since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global health emergency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. …
New Form Required for Some NRCS Customers
If you are a producer or landowner who participates in USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation programs, you may receive information in the mail from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) about a form you’ll need to fill out. Starting this year, all producers and landowners participating or applying to participate in certain NRCS conservation programs must complete form CCC-902, Farm Operating Plan. …
Crop Insurance Town Hall Held by Commissioner Nikki Fried and USDA
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a town hall meeting on crop insurance issues at Chipola College in Marianna, Florida. Fried was joined via Zoom by Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and other RMA senior and regional leaders to answer questions from agriculture producers on crop insurance and risk management. Photos/Video: A video recording and high-res …