Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Wakulla County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael that occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster area designation allows FSA to …
Georgia Peanut Commission Increases Funding for Research Projects in 2019
Board approves $653,901 in research projects The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors has approved $653,901 in research project funding for the 2019-20 research budget year. This action was taken during the commission’s March board meeting. The research projects approved include 35 project proposals submitted from the University of Georgia, USDA Agricultural Research Service and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. …
No ‘Haggling’ Needed for Environmental Funding?
Gov. Ron DeSantis admits being worried that he asked for too much in his environmental-funding request. But as the House and Senate move forward with their budget plans, maybe he should have gone bigger. “I’ve got to say I’m pretty pleased where they came in, particularly on this water quality,” DeSantis said Thursday after appearing at a gathering of the …
Trump Wants Quick Action on USMCA
President Donald Trump wants lawmakers to move quickly to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA, Trump’s replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement, is currently being navigated through procedural hurdles before the administration can present the final proposed agreement to Congress. Lawmakers must consider the agreement on a simple yes or no vote, with no amendments, with Trade …
Inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exhibition
The Inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exhibition (FIHCE 2019) will be held November 3-5, 2019, at the Rosen Centre Hotel located in Orlando, Florida, USA. FIHCE 2019 is a networking and educational event designed to foster the development of an industrial hemp industry in Florida. Tentative conference topics include: • Hemp Market Forecast • Federal and State Regulations and …
Georgia Cotton Commission Approves 2020 Research
At its March 27th Board Meeting, the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $656,287 in research for the 2020 crop year and also approved $25,500 in supplemental research for 2019. This money will go to fund eighteen projects that will be conducted by researchers and extension specialists from the University of Georgia and the University of West Georgia. Projects …
GCC Pleased with 2019 Referendum Vote
Every three years, pursuant to law, cotton farmers have the opportunity to vote to continue the assessment ($1/bale) that funds the Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) programs of research, promotion, and education. The 2019 referendum period was February 13th-March 15th. The Georgia Department of Agriculture recently recorded the votes and the result shows 92.5% of voters favored the continuation. Bart Davis, …
Georgia Farmers Practicing Conservation through Innovation
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG), through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia, is a program developed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. And through such a grant, there is now a tool for Georgia farmers to tell when best to irrigate crops based on real-time field conditions and decades …
Ag Land Conservation Easement Signup in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is currently accepting applications to fund agricultural easements in the state. NRCS provides both financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Under the WRE component, financial assistance is available for landowners to enhance and protect habitat for wildlife …
April 15 is ACEP Signup Deadline in Alabama
For eligible Alabama producers interested in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s (ACEP) Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) components, a reminder April 15th is the signup deadline for 2019 funding. In a release, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama Ben Malone, said “We are looking to work with landowners and partners to help …