The Iowa Department of Agriculture and USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The virus was found in a non-commercial, backyard poultry flock in Southwest Iowa. The state’s Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says, “We are working with USDA and other partners to implement our plans and protect the …
Deadline to Enroll in 2022 Dairy Margin Coverage is March 25
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds dairy producers the deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and the new Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for 2022 is March 25, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) opened DMC and SDMC signup in December 2021 to help producers manage economic risk brought on by milk price and feed cost disparities. Producers …
NRCS in Georgia Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Sign Up
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced they are accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Producers and landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased …
NRCS Offers Conservation Funding Opportunities
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants producers and landowners to know there are various fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities available for key programs. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says while there are batching period signups that take place from time to time, they …
Updates on Packers and Stockyards Act Rule Amendments
Last June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were beginning work on proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, the 100-year old law that was originally designed to protect poultry and hog farmers and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in the meat markets. This week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack offered the latest …
Food Insecurity Rates Vary Across States
USDA Economic Research Service data released Monday shows food insecurity rates vary across U.S. states. The estimated prevalence of food insecurity during 2018-2020 ranged from 5.7 percent in New Hampshire to 15.3 percent in Mississippi. The estimated national average was 10.7 percent. The prevalence of food insecurity was significantly higher than the national average in nine states, including Alabama, Kentucky, …
Impact Farmers Make When It Comes to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The huge impact farmers have been making when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Since 1990, the United States population has increased 31-percent, from roughly 250 million to 329 million in 2019. With more people comes the need for more food. And, more food production could also mean more greenhouse gas …
Center Providing Plant Management Solutions for the Southeast Region
The center providing plant management solutions for the Southeast region. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center is one of a national network of 25 centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions, and developing and transferring plant science technology to solve conservation issues. Located in Americus, Georgia, it’s one of four centers serving the Southeast …
$215 Million Committed to Enhance the Rural American Food Supply Chain
Department Will Make Available $215 Million for Projects That Will Promote Competition and Increase Resiliency and Create Economic Opportunity in Rural America (USDA/WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2022) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …