(USDA/Washington, D.C., Dec, 23, 2020) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Nicholas Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 7 p.m. Dec. 24, 2020 and …
Commissioner Fried Grants Santa Claus & Reindeer Animal Movement Permit
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) are issuing a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole. The certificate will allow their reindeer – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph – to enter and exit all homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises in the state of …
Dr. Carrie Castille Named as New NIFA Director
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that President Trump has named Dr. Carrie Castille as the new, six year term director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Dr. Castille will start her new role on Monday, January 4, 2021. “Dr. Castille is a trusted leader in economic development and public policy and has more than 20 …
Secretary Perdue Announces Groundbreaking Proposal
Transfer Agricultural Animal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework to USDA (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and feedback on a contemplated regulatory framework that …
Indoors or Outdoors, Horticulture and Holidays Go Together
(USDA/NASS) — With the holiday season upon us, you may have missed the recent release of the 2019 Census of Horticultural Specialties Report. This 2017 Census of Agriculture special study is the only source of detailed production and sales data for floriculture, nursery, and specialty crops for the entire United States. Although the number of horticulture operations declined 11% from the last …
Coronavirus Stimulus Package Helps FL Farmers
(FDACS) — Congressional leaders agreed upon a $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues setting new case records, the bill will provide some direct assistance to families and additional funding for food production and distribution, among other priorities. On the bill, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “For more than nine months, COVID-19 has upended the lives …
DeSantis Calls Reservoir ‘A Top Environmental Priority’
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis backed a controversial reservoir being built in the Everglades while announcing the state will use a pool of environmental money to help Miami-Dade County protect Biscayne Bay from continued degradation. DeSantis said his office will continue to support the $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, which was approved by the Legislature in 2017 but has …
Secretary Perdue Announces Groundbreaking Proposal
Proposal to Transfer Agricultural Animal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework to USDA (Washington, D.C., December 21, 2020) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today a significant step in modernizing regulations of agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be moving forward with an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input and …
John Deere Partners with the National FFA Organization
(National FFA Organization) – For 77 years, John Deere has worked side by side with the National FFA Organization to encourage the next generation of leaders and strengthen the agriculture industry. While the year 2020 has come with many challenges, John Deere’s commitment to FFA and agricultural education is stronger than ever. Building on its legacy of support for FFA, …
Georgia Ag Forecast to be Held Online Jan. 29
(CAES) — Economists from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) will discuss the effects of COVID-19 on farming, highlight agritourism impacts in the state, and give a forecast of top commodities for the next year during the annual Georgia Ag Forecast. The live seminar will take place via Zoom webinar Friday, Jan. 29, beginning at …