(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline from March 5 to April 9 for agricultural producers to apply for the Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program because of recent winter storms and some clarifications to program rules. This program assists producer who suffered crop quality losses due to qualifying 2018 and 2019 natural disasters. “Because of …
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Applications Being Accepted in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has announced they are accepting grant applications for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets in the state. The application deadline for these grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is May 3, 2021. Specialty crops are defined by USDA as fruits and vegetables, …
USDA in Georgia Announces April 2 Application Cutoff for CSP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced the statewide cutoff for the fiscal year 2021 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding is April 2, 2021. Georgia State Conservationist, Terrance O. Rudolph, urges all Georgia agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s funding to apply. “CSP is the nation’s largest conservation …
Program Pays Ranchers in Southwest Florida to Help Panthers
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants ranchers in the Southwest part of the state to know they may be able to get paid for helping the Florida panther. NRCS, through the Conservation Stewardship Program, will provide technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that improve its habitat. The signup deadline, through this Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, is March 26. The Florida panther lives …
Enrollment for 2021 ARC and PLC Programs Closes March 15
Agricultural producers are being reminded to make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year, as the signup period closes March 15, 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops. ARC provides income support payments on …
NRCS Florida State Technical Committee Meeting is Wednesday
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 …