(USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement in response to the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to authorize temporary waivers for in-person interviews for eligible H-2 visa applicants. “Temporarily waiving in-person interviews for H-2 visa applicants streamlines the application process and helps provide steady labor for the agriculture sector during this …
More Than 3.4 Million Acres Selected for General CRP Signup
(USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water …
NCBA Applauds Senate’s Unanimous Passage of Relief Legislation
(NCBA) — NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, released the following statement in support of U.S. Senate passage of Coronavirus relief legislation that provides crucial federal disaster assistance for American cattle producers: “Tonight’s passage of the CARES Act by the Senate represents the culmination of more than a week of unprecedented bipartisan work on behalf of the American …
Coronavirus Bill Offers Dairy Aid in What May Be a Long Effort
ARLINGTON, VA – A massive coronavirus aid package poised to pass Congress that includes crucial assistance to dairy producers is a critical, but likely not the last, step in assisting sectors hard-hit by economic disruptions, said Paul Bleiberg, NMPF’s vice president for government relations, in an NMPF podcast. “There are absolutely going to be further legislative efforts,” Bleiberg said. “Congress may take …
NASS Remains Operational and Reports on Schedule Amid COVID-19
Asks farmers and ranchers to complete surveys online (USDA/NASS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) statistical reports remain on schedule amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including the March 26 Hogs and Pigs and March 31 Prospective Plantings reports. NASS also continues to collect data for all upcoming reports, asking farmers and ranchers to complete their …
Agri-Pulse Poll Shows Strong Support for Trump in Farm Country
(Agri Pulse) — Farmers and ranchers’ support for President Donald Trump has grown despite sluggish exports and their own worries about their financial condition as the economic slowdown triggered by the COVID-19 has developed, according to the latest Agri-Pulse poll of U.S. farmers and ranchers. Some 72% of producers nationwide who were surveyed from Feb. 19 through March 13 said they were …
United Fresh Urges Congress to Take Immediate Action
(NAFB) — Produce suppliers are looking for federal assistance, as many industry sectors seek relief from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The United Fresh Produce Association, representing the fresh produce supply chain, has requested urgent action by Congress to mitigate the challenges facing the sectors that have been impacted most severely. The immediate impact felt by the fresh produce …
U.S. Seed Companies Remain Committed to Meeting Farmer, Consumer Demand
(ASTA) — The following is a statement from American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) President & CEO Andrew LaVigne: “The U.S. seed industry stands with the entire agriculture and food value chain in its commitment to ensuring America’s families have ongoing access to a healthy, safe and affordable food supply as we continue to deal with the impacts of COVID-19. “The …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Asks Congress to Prioritize Agriculture, Nutrition, Broadband During COVID-19
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent a letter to Congressional leadership requesting additional federal flexibility for industries and programs critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter, sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, asked that additional Congressional action on the pandemic include: Making federal SBA disaster loans available …
COVID-19 Response: UF/IFAS Extension Statewide Uses Multiple Methods to Meet Floridians’ Needs
(UF/IFAS) — From Homestead to Pensacola, UF/IFAS Extension agents and staff are using all tools necessary – including many virtual activities — to help businesses, neighbors and governments navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19. Here are some examples from UF/IFAS Extension county offices and Florida 4-H of our faculty assisting their communities around the state: Pinellas JP Gellerman, director of …