The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is getting ready for the 2020 version of its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Matt Lohr, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), explains the basics of ACEP for farmland. Lohr explains what happens now that USDA has put out interim rules for ACEP. To learn more contact your local NRCS office. Sponsored …
Florida Schools Teaching Aquaculture with UF/IFAS Help
(UF/IFAS) — Students are willing to get their hands slimy to learn about aquaculture. Youth in about 150 middle and high schools around Florida learn the aquaculture industry through the “Aquaculture in the Classroom” program, a partnership between public schools and UF/IFAS Extension. That’s more than a seven-fold increase in school participation from 2008, when the program started. Aquaculture serves …
Georgia Peanut Farm Show Provides a Day of Education for Farmers
Sen. Johnny Isakson inducted into Peanut Hall of Fame (GPC) — More than 1,600 attendees were able to fine-tune their farming operations with information gained at the 44th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference on Jan. 16, 2020, at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is sponsored by the Georgia Peanut Commission. …
Ag Groups Respond to Senate Passage of USMCA
Yesterday we reported that many agricultural groups were pleased with the signing of the phase-one trade agreement between the United States and China. Today, the trade news continues as the U.S. Senate has passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 89-10. Many agricultural groups also cheered that news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Senate Passage of USMCA (USDA) — …
FSA Encourages Producers to Enroll Soon in ARC and PLC Programs
Producers, Beat the Rush – Call Today to Make an Appointment (USDA/FSA) — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. March 15, 2020 is the enrollment deadline for the 2019 crop year. Although more than 200,000 producers have enrolled to date, FSA anticipates 1.5 …
Ag Groups Respond to Phase One Trade Deal Signing
Secretary Perdue: China Phase I Deal is a Bonanza for American Agriculture U.S. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the historic Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China: “This agreement is proof President Trump’s negotiating strategy is working. While it took China a long time to realize President Trump was serious, …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on USTR Commitments to Seasonal Produce Protections
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement regarding formal commitments recently made by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to protect American seasonal produce growers from unfair trade practices harming the industry: “While discouraging that the USMCA and its implementing legislation lacked protections for our seasonal producers, I thank Ambassador Lighthizer for his formal commitments to address this urgent …
McConnell: Senate to Process USMCA This Week
(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggests the Senate will vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this week. Bloomberg News expects a vote Thursday, as the Senate committees required to sign off on the implementing legislation are doing so quickly. However, a final vote has not been confirmed. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the agreement on …
USDA Reminds Historically Underserved Producers of Advance Payment Option
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind historically underserved producers, who participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr explains how this program works. (USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds historically underserved producers, who are participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. …
E-Verify Divides Republican Leaders as Session Starts
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push for a politically charged immigration proposal has begun to expose a clash between Republicans as this year’s legislative session starts. The governor kicked off the session Tuesday by reminding lawmakers about one of his top priorities: a proposed mandate for all Florida employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify system to check new hires …