In 2007, an old farm-stead in Paulding County, Georgia was purchased and eventually converted into a petting zoo and ice cream business. But after several years, a decision was made to change some aspects of the farm into a produce operation. With help from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, improvements to the operation to make better use of the …
Georgia Peanut Commission Board Members Renominated
Three Georgia Peanut Commission board members were renominated without opposition to the Georgia Peanut Commission board of directors at nomination meetings held on Dec. 10, 2018. The Georgia Farm Bureau Federation conducted the nomination meetings for the commission’s districts two, four and five. Armond Morris, Tift County, representing district two; Rodney Dawson, Pulaski County, representing district four and Donald Chase, …
UF ‘Plant Whisperer’ Helps Floridians Keep Produce Lush, Green and Safe
Liz Felter gazes at the tomato plant and considers it quietly for a few seconds. Stroking the discolored leaves, she sticks two fingers in the soil and pushes the dirt down. “My gut tells me it’s not Erwinia,” says Felter, a University of Florida IFAS Extension regional specialized agent. The visitor to the UF/IFAS Diagnostic Plant Clinic in Apopka merely …
Shutdown Delays USMCA Trade Agreement
The government shutdown could stall progress on President Trump’s North American Free Trade Agreement replacement, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Analysis of the agreement has stopped during the shutdown as the U.S. International Trade Commission, responsible for examining the trade agreement, remains at a standstill. If continued, Politico reports the shutdown could delay release of the report on the economic impact …
Shutdown Delays Smithfield N.C. Trial
A federal judge has delayed the Smithfield Foods trial in North Carolina as the case is another victim of the government shutdown. The start of the case was postponed because juror’s pay could not be guaranteed, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. A federal judge delayed the trial scheduled to begin this week, and noted the hearing would be rescheduled …
Concerns Over Timely Farm Bill Implementation
The partial government shutdown, including non-essential USDA functions, is raising producer concerns over timely farm bill implementation, ahead of this year’s planting season. As if farmers didn’t have enough problems with years of low-prices, trade and other troubles. Now, the partial government shutdown, in its second week, is unnerving producers, according to American Farm Bureau Executive Director Dale Moore. “It’s …
NRCS Still Open
During the partial Federal Government shutdown, your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offices are open. But, due to a lapse in federal funding, some USDA websites are not being actively updated. Once funding has been reestablished, online operations will continue. But information concerning various NRCS programs is still available at nrcs.usda.gov. NRCS offers voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural …
Commodity Classic Early Registration Discount Ends January 10
Thursday, January 10th is the deadline for the early registration discount for Commodity Classic—America’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused agricultural and educational experience. The 2019 Commodity Classic will be held Thursday, February 28 through Saturday, March 2 in Orlando, Fla. To register, reserve hotel rooms and sign up for email updates, visit CommodityClassic.com. A complete schedule of events is also available on the …
New Congress Convenes as Shutdown Delays Farm Payments
New leaders convene in Congress with the need to find an end to the government shutdown. The Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies are reaching a “breaking point,” according to Politico, as many agencies are running out of carryover funding. USDA has closed Farm Service Agency offices across the nation due to the shutdown. Producers who have certified 2018 …
Vegetable Gardens Issue Pops Up in House
An effort to keep local governments out of homeowners’ vegetable gardens has returned to the House. Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand, filed a measure (HB 145) Wednesday intended to prevent local governments from regulating homeowners’ vegetable gardens. The measure mirrors a bill (SB 82) by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that is scheduled to be heard Tuesday in the Senate Community …