Trump Administration Invests Up To $100 Million to Increase American Biofuel Sales

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA/RD) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invested $22 million out of the up to $100 million in grants available to increase American ethanol and biodiesel sales. These funds were made available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP) to recipients in 14 states. The initial $22 million in HBIIP investments are projected …

Support from USDA Grants for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, USDA

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture  (USDA) announced  $19.1 million in grants to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. USDA’s Outreach and Assistance for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers (2501) Program is managed by the USDA Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE).  “These grants provide …

Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, USDA-NRCS

Application deadline for financial assistance is Nov. 20 (USDA/NRCS Florida) — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Nov. 20 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2021 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year. Through EQIP, …

Florida Closes on ‘Once in a Generation’ Land Deal

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Wednesday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced closing on a long-sought 17,088-acre tract in Franklin and Wakulla counties that includes a restrictive easement for the U.S. Air Force. According to the News Service of Florida, the $43 million deal with Ochlockonee Timberlands, a subsidiary of AgReserves, Inc., for the property was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet …

Nobel Prize Serves Notice: The U.S. is Falling Behind in Race to Adopt Key Technology for Farming

Dan Industry News Release, Livestock, Pork, Technology

(NPPC) — For more than two years, by claiming regulatory jurisdiction over gene edited livestock, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stalled the development of an emerging technology with tremendous promise for livestock agriculture, including improved animal care, production efficiency and environmental impact. The scientists who invented one of the most promising forms of this technology – the …

Florida FWC Puts Hold on Oyster Harvesting Decision

Dan Aquaculture, Florida, Georgia, Industry News Release, Water

(NSF) – Looking to address additional concerns from area residents, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission delayed a vote Wednesday on finalizing a suspension of wild-oyster harvesting in Apalachicola Bay for five years. Commission Executive Director Eric Sutton said some people in the Northwest Florida area have had late concerns and “we’d like to take some more time to shore …

USDA Preparing New Round of Crop Production, Demand Forecasts

Clint Thompson USDA

Hurricane Sally had a real effect on certain crops in parts of South Alabama and Northwest Florida. According to a story from Gary Crawford, by the end of this week we will have a much better idea of the production and marketing prospects for the crops now being harvested. USDA’s Crop Production Report and Supply/Demand Report will be released this …

USDA Seeks New Partnerships to Safeguard, Restore Wetland Ecosystems

Clint Thompson USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced up to $30 million is available in technical and financial assistance through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands. “This partnership enhances the locally driven process to better address critical wetland functions that progress beyond localities,” said Kevin Norton, acting Chief …

USDA Funding Conservation Innovation in Florida

Clint Thompson USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced last week it is awarding $25 million in grants designed to help partners implement and evaluate innovative conservation practices that have demonstrated benefits on farmland. The funding, provided through On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), is a component of the Conservation Innovation Grants program first authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Fourteen projects …

Water War Arguments to be Held ‘In Due Course’

Dan Florida, Georgia, Industry News Release, Water

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday indicated it will hear oral arguments in the long-running water battle between Florida and Georgia but did not specify when. The court issued an order that said the dispute is “set for oral argument in due course.” The case involves divvying up water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, which stretches from northern Georgia to …