There have been previous reports from Indiana and Oklahoma of people posing as United States Census takers visiting poultry farms while attempting to take photos of the farm operations. We just received notice that a Georgia broiler farm was the subject of a similar attempt. The grower in this case appropriately denied access to the fake census takers and requested that …
Learn More about the Georgia Farm Safety Program at Sunbelt
Producers attending this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo are encouraged to learn more about the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm Safety Program. It started back in 2013 to help develop partnerships and relationships with farmers across the state concerning the regulatory requirements for produce safety under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Farm Safety Education and Outreach Associate, Elizabeth Stalvey, invites …
Sign Up Ends October 15 for HFRP in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that the sign up period for the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) ends next Tuesday, October 15. It is a Farm Bill program that purchases conservation and provides cost share funding for conservation management. This program is for landowners with property within the O2O Corridor in the Florida counties of Columbia, …
ADAI Now Accepting Applications for the 2020 Industrial Hemp Program
MONTGOMERY, AL (ADAI-Oct. 10, 2019) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is now accepting hemp applications from eligible growers, processors/handlers, and universities. The application period began October 7, 2019, and the final day to apply is November 14, 2019. In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Chilton and Shelby counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows …
NRCS Implementing EQIP through 2018 Farm Bill
Since the 2018 Farm Bill was enacted back in December, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to implement programs that offers strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. They offer financial and technical assistance through conservation practices, activities and enhancements to help producers make and maintain improvements on their land. One of the most …
Florida NRCS Holds RCPP Workshop, One More Coming
The launch of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) continues. And to provide information for those interested, Florida NRCS held a RCPP Workshop Wednesday at the Florida Farm Bureau office in Gainesville. Nina Bhattacharyya, assistant state conservationist for partnerships in Florida, told Southeast AgNet they had a great meeting. RCPP eligible partners include private industry, non-government organizations, …
China Talks in Washington, DC Underway
(NAFB) — Trade talks between the U.S. and China are underway, even as the U.S. puts more pressure on China, and some say the talks may be cut short. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced visa restrictions on certain Chinese officials this week, and the U.S. is expected to impose more tariffs on Chinese goods next week. The U.S. …
The Reality of the Beef Checkoff
by Greg Hanes, CEO, Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB-Oct. 9, 2019) — In the few months since I took the helm as CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) – the governing and administrative organization of the Beef Checkoff – there appears to be many misperceptions, false rumors, and misinformation about how the checkoff works and is administered. Let’s look at …
New UF Lab Gives Researchers Preview of Climate Change in the Gulf
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 9, 2019) — Scientists are already observing climate change in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical species, such snook and black mangrove, are moving north. Flows of freshwater into estuaries are dwindling. The hard part: predicting how climate change will affect the plants, animal and people who depend on the Gulf. To make these predictions, you need a …