Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam sent a letter to the Florida’s congressional delegation requesting much-needed disaster relief for Florida agriculture, which suffered a more than $2.5 billion hit due to Hurricane Irma. Excerpts from the letter are below: “As you know Hurricane Irma, among the strongest hurricanes ever to make direct landfall in the United States, dealt a devastating …
Growth Energy Applauds EPA Point of Obligation Decision
The Environmental Protection Agency decision to reject changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard point of obligation means consumers will continue to enjoy increasing choices at the pump. Growth Energy applauded the EPA for rejecting requests to change the point of obligation, a move that would have caused confusion in the marketplace. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the move to …
Assistance Available for Irma Damaged Ag Land in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has established a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign-up Nov. 28 – Dec. 28 to help agricultural producers who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma with financial and technical assistance. Conservation practices available through this EQIP funding specifically address natural resource concerns from hurricane flood and wind damage and provide future …
Newhouse Remains Confident Farm Bill Will Pass on Time
There’s been speculation by some in different ag circles that the new Farm Bill will not pass on-time. Some have speculated it won’t pass until 2019. Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington State recently acknowledged he’s heard those rumors, but cannot substantiate them. In addition, he says he doesn’t believe they are true. The Central Washington republican says House Agriculture Committee …
DOT Grants Agriculture Temporary Electronic Logging Device Waiver
A waiver by the Department of Transportation allows agriculture the exemption to electronic logging device requirements in commercial trucks that take effect next month. The 90-day waiver was granted in response to a petition by the American Farm Bureau Federation and other ag groups. AFBF congressional relations director Andrew Walmsley says the waiver allows the agency to reevaluate the mandate’s …
2017 Census of Agriculture Gets Underway
Questionnaires being sent to over 3 million U.S. producers The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) starts mailing the 2017 Census of Agriculture to the nation’s producers this week. Conducted once every five years, the census aims to get a complete and accurate picture of American agriculture. The resulting data are used by farmers, ranchers, trade …
Perdue Announces National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of six members to serve on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. The terms for these appointees are effective immediately and expire on June 30, 2020. Newly appointed members are: Randell W. Eronimous, Seattle, Wash. (Region 13) Erin S. Sharp, Cincinnati, Ohio (At-large, processor) Reappointed members are: Lynne M. Bohan, Lynnfield, Mass. …
NRCS Emergency Conservation Programs and Practices
After the hurricanes which affected our area of the country and other natural disasters that took place elsewhere, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to make sure landowners who have yet to check with their local NRCS office does so to learn about possible programs that could help. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly …
Big Week for Agriculture in Washington
It’s a “big” week for agriculture in Washington, with key actions likely to have an impact on producers’ bottom-line. The U.S. Senate is expected to take a “make-or-break” vote Thursday or Friday on the GOP’s tax plan, that Republicans will have to pass with a likely razor-thin, Republican-only majority. The GOP is edging closer to the needed votes, and President …
Capitol Christmas Tree Arrives
A nearly 80-foot tall Christmas tree arrived Monday at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service provides a tree each year from a different state for the Capitol. This year’s tree, an Engelmann Spruce, is 79 feet tall and comes from northwest Montana. The 15,000 lbs., the 76-year-old tree made a two-week, 3,400-mile journey to …