The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the appointment of 163 producers and five importers to the 2017 National Pork Producers Delegate Body. The appointees were selected from nominees submitted by state pork producer associations and importer groups and will serve a 1-year term. The Delegate Body will be seated during the Feb. 27, 2017, to March 3, 2017, …
Role of Fossil Fuels in the U.S. Food System and the American Diet
by Patrick Canning, Sarah Rehkamp, Arnold Waters, and Hamideh Etemadnia/USDA Economic Research Service What Is the Issue? The consumption of fossil fuels, nuclear power, and renewable energy by the U.S. food system was on par, in 2002, with the entire national energy budget for India and exceeded the combined energy budgets of all African nations. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Common Crop Chemical Leaves Bees Susceptible to Deadly Viruses
By Sara LaJeunesse, Penn State University A chemical that is thought to be safe and is, therefore, widely used on crops — such as almonds, wine grapes and tree fruits — to boost the performance of pesticides, makes honey bee larvae significantly more susceptible to a deadly virus, according to researchers at Penn State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. …
Funding for Potato Breeding Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $1.85 million in funding for regional potato breeding research to support the development of superior-performing varieties that can be brought to market as soon as possible. The United States is one of the top potato producers worldwide, and industry sales estimates topped $3.6 billion in …
Funding to Support Agriculture Programs at Hispanic-Serving Institutions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced availability of $8.8 million in funding to support agricultural science education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). The Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Education Grants Program promotes and strengthens HSI programs that attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation’s food, agricultural, natural resource, and human sciences work …
February Signup Deadline for Two Florida NRCS Programs
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners about signup deadlines coming up next month. The first one is for 2017 funding to help Florida ag producers improve working lands through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). That deadline is February 3. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef …
Friday is Signup Deadline for Three NRCS Programs in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners about three program signups that end Friday, January 20. They include a collaborative effort to reach forestry landowners in West Alabama, a renewal of a pilot program that targets small, underserved livestock operations in the Black Belt region and program for producers interested in Alabama’s Wild Pig Damage …
LEGAL FEES SOAR IN FLORIDA-GEORGIA WATER WAR
From: News Service of Florida Legal fees in Florida’s costly water war with Georgia have escalated to $41 million, with the Department of Environmental Protection asking for a $13 million transfer to cover some of the expenses. The request will be considered Tuesday by the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. The fees represent Florida’s cost in hiring lawyers to make its …
Conaway Statement on Nomination of Former Governor Sonny Perdue for USDA Secretary
Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway issued the following statement upon the announcement of President-Elect Donald Trump’s selection of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be the nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR …
GA Ag Commissioner on Selection of Perdue
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner on Selection of Sonny Perdue for top USDA Post Georgia Agriculture Secretary Gary Black made the following statement on President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of former Georgia Governor, George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III, as the Secretary of Agriculture: Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins …