Urban agriculture is playing a growing role in connecting city residents with the world of farming, according to Zach Ducheneaux, Administrator of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at the USDA. In a recent discussion, Ducheneaux highlighted the value of urban agricultural initiatives in fostering understanding and support for agriculture, especially in areas far removed from traditional farms. Programs like the …
NPPC Celebrates Senate Passage of Beagle Brigade Act
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased with the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of S.759, the Beagle Brigade Act. This legislation would provide statutory authority and reliable funding to the National Detector Dog Training Center. “American agriculture relies on the National Detector Dog Training Center to prevent the introduction of foreign animal and plant diseases that would cripple our food supply,” said …
H5N1 Outbreak Continues to Trouble U.S. Dairy and Poultry Industries
Since 2022, the U.S. poultry industry has been battling a particularly persistent strain of H5N1, or avian influenza, and more than 100 million birds have been affected over the last two and a half years. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), says turkeys and egg layers have been hit the hardest. “Broiler flocks tend to benefit from …
USDA, DOL Launch New Student Apprenticeship Program with Tuskegee University
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), in partnership with Tuskegee University, are announcing the launch of the nation’s first federal sponsored Student Apprenticeship Program. The new program aims to increase the talent pipeline for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) from Minority-Serving Institutions and provide students with practical job experience. Under the program, apprentices will participate in orientation, technical training, and …
USDA Invests in Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
Last month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and this includes projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the …
FDACS Highlights Agricultural Lands to be Preserved With Recently Announced Partner Funding
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 20, 2024) — Following the Florida Conservation Group’s recent announcement of $47 million in state and federal funding to preserve active agriculture operations in the Peace River Valley region, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting four proposed agricultural conservation projects that will receive funding. These agricultural operations in Southwest Florida will be permanently preserved from future development, as …
USMEF on Meat Trade Under New Administration
During last week’s National Association of Farm Broadcasters Convention in Kansas City, various folks in the ag industry spoke with farm broadcasters on many issues. As Rusty Halvorson reports, one of those topics was about the new Administration taking over on January 20th. Learn more about red meat exports on the U.S. Meat Export Federation website. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide …
Still Time to Signup for ACEP Funding in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) wants to remind landowners and eligible entities in the state that applications are still being accepted for Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE). Sign-up for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) funding runs until December 20, 2024. The ALE helps private and Tribal landowners, land trusts, and other entities (such as state …
Signup for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Continues
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners and eligible entities that signup continues for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While those interested can apply at any time, to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, complete and eligible applications must be received by the following National cutoff dates for both Wetland Reserve …
Hurricane Helene Recovery Virtual Information Session is Thursday in Georgia
The USDA Farm Service Agency in Georgia (FSA-GA) will host a virtual information session for Hurricane Helene Recovery on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 1:00pm Eastern. The FSA-GA staff will discuss programs and resources that can support your farm’s recovery if impacted by Hurricane Helene, including the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program. Those who plan to attend should …