USDA Launches AskUSDA, Improves and Streamlines Customer Experience

(USDA/RD) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the official launch of the AskUSDA Contact Center program. The AskUSDA Contact Center will serve as the “one front door” for phone, chat, and web inquires, transforming how the public interacts with USDA and providing an enhanced experience for the public. Prior to the creation and implementation of AskUSDA, members of …

Farm & Biofuel Leaders Urge Courts to Hold EPA Accountable

(RFA) — A coalition of the nation’s largest biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia asking the court to enforce its 2017 decision requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address its improper waiver of 500 million gallons of biofuel demand in the 2016 renewable volume obligation (RVO).  The coalition, which includes the Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, National …

Compound from Soil Bacterium Gets Reboot as Antibiotics Super Booster

(USDA/ARS) — USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their collaborators continue garnering success in their tests of a compound that could bolster the potency of beta-lactam antibiotics, potentially reducing the dosages required and helping stave off resistance in the germs they’re meant to kill. According to Neil Price, a chemist with the ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research …

FFA Members Across the Country Give Back to Their Communities This Fall

(National FFA Organization) — Thanksgiving might look a little different this year—not as many large family gatherings, not as many in-person Black Friday sales—but FFA members around the country are working together to ensure their communities still have the food they need. FFA members at the Lawrence Free State High School FFA in Kansas worked on gleaning from local gardens …

U.S. Pork Producers ‘Give-a-Ham’

(NPPC) — The National Pork Producers Council launched the “Give-a-Ham” challenge, a national social media campaign encouraging hog farmers and those involved in the industry to donate pork to organizations serving the food insecure, and challenging others to follow suit. The “Give-a-Ham” challenge begins today and runs through the end of the year. “With so many Americans struggling with COVID-related …

Senator Perdue Leads Bipartisan Effort To Ease Burdens On Agricultural Trucking

New Guidance Helps American Farmers & Commercial Drivers Following a bipartisan effort led by U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took action to ease regulatory burdens on agricultural trucking. FMCSA’s final rule provides clarity for our nation’s farmers and commercial truck drivers by leveling the playing field for the transportation of agricultural products. Agriculture contributes over …

Ag Secretary Talks Trade at NAFB Convention

On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue made an appearance at the National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) virtual annual convention, and there was a lot to discuss. Trade has been a hot topic of conversation over the past four years, especially as it pertains to the trade war with China. Perdue says America might not feel as successful as we …

USDA Says Farm Production Expenses Will Drop

The USDA says farm sector production expenses, including those associated with operator dwellings are forecast to decrease by $4.6 billion to $344.2 billion in 2020 in nominal terms, which means not adjusted for inflation. That’s a 1.3% drop from the previous year. These expenses represent the costs of all inputs used to produce farm commodities and strongly affect farm profitability. …

UF/IFAS Urban Forestry Agent Honored by National Society

(UF/IFAS) — In his 15 years with UF/IFAS, Extension forester Rob Northrop has worked with scientists to bring much-needed tree shade to the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. His work is now being recognized nationally. Northrop takes an ecosystem approach to planting and preserving trees and forests, which includes studying and communicating tree canopy goals in Tampa and surrounding areas. He …