The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) is using March, also known as National Peanut Month, as another way to celebrate and promote Georgia peanuts. Joy Crosby, assistant executive director of the GPC, highlighted some of the ways her organization has promoted one of the state’s top row crops. “We celebrated National Peanut Month by kicking off our annual PB&J Day at …
International Complications for U.S. Exports
Agricultural exports a heading down from a post-pandemic peak as experts deal with international complications that can stunt export growth or, sometimes, stop exports altogether. According to USDA, the value of U.S. agricultural exports peaked in fiscal year 2022 but declined in 2023. In 2023, the total export value was $178.7 billion, which was $17 billion less than in 2022. …
Signup Deadline Nearing for Alabama’s ACEP-ALE Easement Program
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) reminds eligible entities that the Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill Easement and Financial Assistance Programs signup deadline is March 31, 2024 for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). Eligible entities may submit proposals to NRCS to acquire a conservation easement on eligible agricultural land. NRCS does not accept applications for ACEP-ALE …
Florida Landowners Encouraged to Apply for RCPP
Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values and practices have an opportunity to apply for Entity Held Conservation Easementsopportunities in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS) and Tall Timbers Research, Inc. through April 5, 2024. Landowners who applied for the recent Florida Department of Consumer Services Rural and Family Lands Protection Program cycle are encouraged to apply for …
USDA-NRCS Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is requesting proposals to assist with implementing some key priorities. The objective of this Notice of Funding is to obtain Technical Services and Projects to enhance Conservation Technical Assistance and Farm Bill Program Delivery across Georgia. But, proposals for this funding are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 23, 2024. Conservation minded …
Alabama Launches Texas Hay Relief Effort
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/March 19, 2024) — The Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) is leading an effort to provide hay for Texas cattle producers who have suffered catastrophic losses due to the recent wildfires in the Texas panhandle. ADAI is partnering with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) and the Alabama Trucking Association (ATA) to help our fellow cattlemen in Texas who …
USDA-NRCS Investing in Climate-Smart Easements
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced an investment of about $138 million in Climate-Smart Easements through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The funding, from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is the largest climate investment in history. The selected ACEP projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. Carrie Lindig, NRCS Easement Program Division Director, explains how the Southeast can be an …
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Celebrates Preservation of Over 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 18, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson proudly announced the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has now preserved over 100,000 acres of vital agricultural lands in Florida from development with the formal completion of rural land easements on Adams Ranch and Buck Island Ranch, previously approved by the Governor and Cabinet. “Reaching the milestone of preserving …
Agricultural Producers to Conserve Land through Climate-Smart Easements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest about $138 million of financial assistance from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. This will be through 138 new climate-smart conservation easements, where farmers and ranchers are conserving wetlands, grasslands and prime farmlands. These selected Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture …
Drought Conditions Influence Fluctuations in Beef Cattle Herd
New data from USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) shows that changes in drought conditions impact the size of the U.S. beef cattle herd. Specifically, when the percentage of land area of drought increases for an extended period as noted in the U.S. Drought Monitor, the U.S. beef cattle herd often declines. In 2023, with more than 65 percent of U.S. …