Additional federal funding could be coming for Everglades restoration. The White House has revised a budget request to Congress and is seeking to provide $200 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Everglades work, a boost of $137 million from an earlier proposal. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has been touting the proposed 2019-2020 state budget for including $680 …
Georgia: Not Just Peaches and Peanuts
Inaugural tour introduces variety of Georgia Grown products, featuring site tours and gourmet meals. Georgia Grown, the marketing and economic development program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture, wants everyone to know that the state produces more than just peaches and peanuts. That’s why Georgia Grown is hosting international and national media guests, grocery buyer executives, state officials and culinary …
Western Hemisphere Agriculture Leaders on Food Security and Ag Trade
Western Hemisphere agriculture leaders met on the margins of the G-20 Agricultural Ministerial in Niigata, Japan, affirming their intent to work together to champion global food security and agricultural trade on the basis of sound science and risk analysis principles. Following the meeting, top agricultural officials from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the United States issued the following statement. “Together, …
Agricultural Production Facing Constraints Highlighted by Agriculture Ministers
The Ministers of Agriculture from Argentina, Brazil, Canada and the United States highlighted that food demand is rising while agricultural production faces significant constraints, such as limited access to arable land and fresh water. In this regard, they agreed that agricultural innovation, such as biotechnology, including precision biotechnology, will continue to play a substantial role in addressing such challenges and …
Fire Ants Cause Issues for Farmers
Fire ants are a great issue for farmers on many levels. Not only do they cost famers time and money but they can cause damage to equipment. Whether it is in pastures or hay fields, farmers must determine the best option to treat fire ants. Should I Treat My Fields? Dr. Fudd Graham, an Alabama Extension entomologist, said the first step …
CBD Oil Still Unlawful as a Food Additive in Georgia
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black reminds Georgians that while the signing into law of HB213 allows for the sale of hemp and hemp products, inclusion of cannabidiol oil (CBD) into a food or dietary supplement is still unlawful according to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. “The passing and signage of the industrial hemp bill is the …
Cattle Industry’s Beef Quality Assurance Program Develops, Distributes Extensive National Manual
Checkoff-Funded Effort Is a Resource for Responsible Cattle Management An official manual for the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program that is both detailed and extensive is now being distributed nationwide throughout the cattle industry. The manual and the BQA program are both managed by the producer education team at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. …
Ag Economy Barometer Falls in April
The Ag Economy Barometer plummeted in April, declining to a reading of 115, an 18-point decline compared to March when the index stood at 133. The 18-point decline in the index was the fourth largest one-month fall in the barometer since data collection began in October 2015. Organizers say the barometer’s decline was driven by worsening perceptions of both current …
Helping Producers Cover Costs for Organic Certification
Federal funds are available to help farmers applying for receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the funding Monday. The program provides cost-share assistance up to 75 percent of certification costs each year to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces New Water Policy Director
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Christopher Pettit as Director of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Speaking outside the South Florida Water Management District, Fried highlighted Pettit’s background in water resources management in Florida and beyond. A livestream of the press conference may be viewed here. “Addressing our state’s water issues was one of my …