The Florida Legislative Special Session continues today in Tallahassee. In action taking place this week, the Florida Senate did vote to override vetoes of some $75 million in higher-education projects. A group of Florida 4-H youth and supporters were at the state capitol Wednesday hoping to encourage lawmakers to override Governor Scott’s veto of Florida 4-H funding. The Governor’s veto …
UF Weed Scientist to Lead Aquatic Invasives Center
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences A University of Florida weed scientist has been named the director of the Center of Aquatic and Invasive Plants, a unit that develops environmentally sound techniques to manage invasive weeds. Jason Ferrell, an agronomy professor at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was named to the position …
Agriculture Pleased with Infrastructure Initiative
A number of farmers and industry stakeholders were in Cincinnati this week to hear President Trump discuss the Administration’s infrastructure initiative. The event was designed to highlight the economic importance for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and the inland waterways system. According to a story from Rod Bain, President Trump was joined at the event by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. …
Nutrition Subcommittee Evaluates Technology and Modernization of SNAP
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition held a hearing to evaluate technology and modernization in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and members of the committee heard from a variety of witnesses on the ways technology and modernization improve the customer experience, streamline delivery of services and ease the administrative burden. This hearing is …
Georgia Peanut Commission hosting 2018 calendar photo contest
The Georgia Peanut Commission is hosting a photo contest June 7-Oct. 1, 2017, to fill the pages of the 2018 Georgia Peanut Calendar, “Photos from the Field.” Photos will also be selected to be used in various promotional projects by GPC throughout the year. Peanut farmers from across Georgia are encouraged to submit their best high-resolution photo of peanut production …
Organic Research Institution Launches Industrial Hemp Research Project
The Rodale Institute has started a new industrial hemp research project focused on examining the crop’s role in soil health and regenerative organic agriculture. Proclaimed as the nation’s leading organic farming research institution, Rodale is overseeing one of 16 pilot projects to grow industrial hemp in Pennsylvania, the first legal cultivation of the crop in the state in 80 years. …
Former Ag Secretary Working on Milk Export Program with China
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Agri-Pulse a new deal to allow more milk producers to enter the Chinese market is in the works. Vilsack, who now heads the U.S. Dairy Export Council, has been working for months to change a registration process that keeps new U.S. processors from entering the Chinese market. Vilsack told Agri-Pulse the deal is a …
NCGA Launches Open Innovation Challenge to Find the Next Big Thing for Corn
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with innovation facilitator NineSigma, announced the launch of a global competition to identify new and innovative uses for field corn as a renewable feedstock for making sustainable chemicals with significant market demand. Growing interest in America’s emerging bio-economy and continued improvements in sustainable corn production underscore the versatility and potential of this crop. …
Pork Checkoff Builds Momentum for Secure Pork Supply Plan
Plan will minimize business disruption from foreign animal diseases The National Pork Board, with major support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is creating a Secure Pork Supply Plan to help America’s pig farmers respond quickly and successfully to a major threat, such as a foreign animal disease (FAD). The plan will enhance communication and coordination of all pork chain …
NFU Urges Immediate Adoption of Farmer Fair Practices Rules
The Farmer Fair Practices Rules, a set of three rules that provide very basic protections for farmers and ranchers, were released in December 2016 to address the most anti-competitive and abusive practices levied against family farmers by meatpackers and processors. Because the rules are being reviewed by the new administration, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the U.S. Department of …