The Roots of Agricultural Support The Department of Agriculture was first established in 1862, but it would take more than 50 years before one of its most impactful programs came to life. With the passage of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914, the USDA Extension Service was officially created. This initiative formed a partnership between the USDA and land-grant universities to …
A Full Week of Opportunities for Young Cattle Producers with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is making big moves to support the next generation of cattle producers with an action-packed week of educational and leadership-building events. We spoke with Bailey Watson, Youth Programs Director at the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, who shared exciting updates for young cattle enthusiasts across the state. “We have our fall youth field days coming up, both north …
Upcoming Peanut Industry Events
Georgia Cotton and Peanut Day Highlights Industry Research and EU Trade Progress The Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission are joining forces to host Cotton and Peanut Day this week, offering producers valuable updates on research, policy, and international trade developments. “Coming up on the peanut calendar this week, the Georgia Cotton Commission and the Georgia Peanut Commission …
Rollins Announces Commitment to Expanding Rural Food Animal Veterinarians
USDA Announces Commitment to Expand Rural Food Animal Veterinarians U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins made a significant announcement last week in Mississippi regarding the shortage of rural food animal veterinarians across the United States. Recognizing the critical role veterinarians play in supporting rural America’s farmers and ranchers, the USDA is launching initiatives to expand the veterinary workforce in rural …
National Pork Producers Share Optimism in US EU Trade Framework
National Pork Producers Council Optimistic About US-EU Trade Agreement Framework The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has expressed optimism regarding the recently released trade agreement framework between the United States and the European Union. The framework includes targeted efforts to address longstanding trade imbalances that have impacted the pork industry for decades. National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler shared …
USDA Opens Sign-up for Supplemental Disaster Relief Program
Farmers impacted by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 now have access to much-needed financial support. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has opened the first phase of sign-up for its Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), aimed at helping producers recover from major crop losses. “We know farm operations across the United States were impacted by devastating natural disasters in …
GCC Helping Host Series of Farm Bill Meetings
By Clint Thompson Georgia cotton growers should mark their calendars for the various farm bill informational meetings scheduled throughout the state in September. The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), along with the National Cotton Council, Southern Cotton Growers and the Southeastern Cotton Ginners Association, is conducting a series of meetings across Georgia. The meetings are designed to inform cotton producers, industry …
Peanut Checkoff Focus For This Year
Peanut Checkoff Supports Promotion as Demand Grows for Plant-Based, Protein-Rich Foods With a strong planting season behind them, U.S. peanut farmers are now preparing for harvest—and with that comes the peanut checkoff, a vital funding mechanism that helps promote peanuts through the National Peanut Board (NPB). “Well lots of peanuts have been planted this year and the checkoff will be …
New World Screwworm Human Case Confirmed
USDA and HHS Confirm Travel-Related Human Case of New World Screwworm in Maryland The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have confirmed a travel-associated case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. The case was identified in Maryland, in a patient returning from El Salvador. This marks the first confirmed …
USMEF Releases Statement on US EU Trade Framework Update
White House Releases US-EU Trade Framework Update with Focus on Agriculture and Market Access The White House has released an updated version of the U.S.–EU Trade Framework, which includes key commitments to improving agricultural trade. These changes are seen as a step forward for U.S. pork, bison, and beef exporters, as the European Union (EU) agrees to reduce non-tariff trade …