(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday proposed a $91.4 billion state budget for next year, touting plans to funnel more money to public-school teachers and continue “momentum” on environmental issues. The proposal is an initial step as lawmakers prepare for the January start of the annual legislative session, which will include negotiating a budget for the fiscal year that …
2020 Plant Trends Head Off the Beaten Garden Path
(UF/IFAS) — Expect to see more eco-conscious and unconventional plants in homes and gardens for 2020, according to horticultural experts with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Below are some of the hottest trends to look for in the new year. Plants are considered native to your area if they naturally occur there. “One trend I …
Food Trends 2020: Meal Kits, Convenience Store Nutrition and Drinkable Collagen
(UF/IFAS) — Most people think of collagen as a protein used for cosmetic purposes that you get in a jar, but prepare for drinkable collagen. If you think that’s interesting, try going online to order meal kits – full of just-the-right ingredients for the dishes you want to prepare. Those are a couple of the fearless forecasts from UF/IFAS faculty …
Japan Likely to Vote on U.S. Trade Pact This Week
(NAFB) — Media reports in Japan are saying that the parliament is likely to start voting on a trade pact with the U.S. sometime this week. The lower house of the Japanese Diet will take up the pact Wednesday, while the upper house, called the House of Councilors, will begin considering the deal the next day. A Japan Times report …
USDA Issues Second Tranche of Market Facilitation Program
(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the second tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. Producers of MFP-eligible commodities will now be eligible to receive 25 percent of the total payment expected, in addition …
USDA Promoting No-Till November
USDA is once again celebrating No-Till November. This fall, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging America’s agricultural producers to keep the stubble and give their farm a more rugged, natural look. While many farmers till during the fall, NRCS notes the reasons not to do so. They note that No-till improves soil health by not disturbing soil microbiology, …
13 Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 13 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Barrow, Clarke, Dade, Greene, Hancock, Morgan, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Putnam, Taliaferro, Walker, Walton, and Warren, who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in DeKalb and Marshall counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA)Â emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …
Commissioner Black on U.S. Poultry Regaining Access to China
Following the announcement of American poultry farmers regaining access to the Chinese market, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black issued the following statement:  “As the top poultry producing state in the country, Georgia applauds the end of the needless and unscientific ban on U.S. poultry imports,” said Black. “The reopening of the Chinese market will undoubtedly result in expanded opportunities …
Brazil’s Implementation of Tariff Rate Quota for Wheat a Win for American Farmers
(USDA) — U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue welcome Brazil’s implementation of an annual duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 750,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat imports. For many years, Brazil failed to implement its obligation under the WTO to establish a TRQ for wheat. Brazil’s implementation of this TRQ fulfills a commitment made …