(UF/IFAS) — A multi-region, multi-institution research and outreach team investigating the impact of COVID-19 on food and agricultural systems will host a free webinar those engaged in the food supply chain at any level at 2 p.m. EST January 28, 2021. Participants interested in the webinar can register at https://tinyurl.com/lessonsfromcovid-webinar. This hour-long webinar is part of the Lessons from COVID-19: …
Secretary Perdue Comments on MOU on Animal Biotechnology
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Assistant Secretary for Health and Head of the Public Health Service Admiral Brett Giroir, M.D., establishing a regulatory environment at the Department of Agriculture for agricultural animal biotechnology innovation: “Today’s Memorandum of Understanding clears a path to bring our regulatory framework into …
UF Scientist Finds Way to Reduce Greenhouse Gas in Soil
(UF/IFAS) — When soil gets saturated with water, the ground can produce nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that depletes the ozone, that the layer protects plants and animals on Earth from harmful ultraviolet light. For context, nitrous oxide is 310 times more powerful than carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas that’s harmful to the ozone layer. That’s why it’s important to …
Duval Soil and Water Full Board Meeting via Zoom Coming Up
(USDA/NRCS/FL) — The Duval Soil and Water Conservation District Full Board will meet on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at 3:30 p.m. at the Duval Agricultural Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32254. This meeting will be held via Zoom teleconference. At this time the Extension Office is open only at limited capacity. Public participation is encouraged, but members …
USDA Measuring Financial Well-Being of Southern Farmers, Ranchers
Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started gathering information about farm economics and production practices. NASS is reaching out to nearly 4,000 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina through March, as the agency conducts the final phase of the 2020 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). “ARMS is the …
Contract Swine, Poultry Producers Now Eligible for CFAP Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced last Friday they will be providing additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). This includes expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Contract producers of broilers, laying hens, chicken eggs, turkeys, and swine who …
Secretary Perdue Statement on H-2A Modernization
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued a statement applauding the Department of Labor’s final rule modernizing the H-2A visa program: “This final rule streamlining and modernizing the H-2A visa process will go a long way in ensuring American farmers have access to a stable and skilled workforce, all while removing unnecessary bureaucratic processes. USDA’s goal is to help …
Alabama in Pilot Project to Control Feral Swine
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week they are investing $11.65 million in 14 projects to help agricultural producers and private landowners trap and control feral swine as part of the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program. This investment expands the pilot program to new projects in various states, including Alabama. This program is a joint effort …
Additional Assistance Offered for Certain Producers Through CFAP
(USDA)Â — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify …
Farm Bureau Establishes 2021 Policies
(AFBF) — Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 102nd Annual Convention adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2021. Key topics ranged from farm diversity to farm labor and dairy policy to livestock marketing. For the first time in AFBF history, delegates met and voted virtually due to COVID-19. “Our Farm Bureau delegates showed that …