The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a couple of months ago the availability of more than $330 million to help agricultural producers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, and includes $169.9 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) …
Vilsack on New Initiative Helping Small Meat Processing Facilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen critical supply chains through their Build Back Better initiative. The new effort will strengthen the food system, create new market opportunities, tackle the climate crisis, help communities that have been left behind, and support good-paying jobs throughout the supply chain. During a call …
USDA to Invest More Than $4 Billion to Strengthen Food System
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen critical supply chains through the “Build Back Better” initiative. The new effort will strengthen the food system, create new market opportunities, tackle the climate crisis, help communities that have been left behind and support good-paying jobs throughout the supply chain. The announcement supports …
USDA Investing in the Nation’s Emergency Food System
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced late last week an investment of up to $1 billion, including $500 million in American Rescue Plan funding, in The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The new program will support and expand the emergency food network so states, food banks and local organizations can reliably serve their communities. That’s USDA Deputy Under Secretary …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Joins USDA Event on American Rescue Plan Debt Relief for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried joined U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Monica Rainge, U.S. Representative Al Lawson, Jr. (FL-5), and others to highlight historic American Rescue Plan provisions that provide $4 billion in debt relief to socially disadvantaged farmers, ranchers, and growers. They were joined at the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Research and Extension Center in Quincy, Florida by FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., …
Bronaugh Confirmation Receives High Praise from Ag Industry
The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh as the new Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. The Bronaugh confirmation is receiving significant support from the agricultural industry. There is optimism that her previous experience will provide even greater expertise to the leadership within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Bronaugh has served in a variety of capacities within the …
Biden-Harris Administration Outlines “America the Beautiful” Initiative
Initial report details vision for 10-year, locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife WASHINGTON, May 6, 2021 – The Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained in a report …
USDA Announces Listening Session on Impacts
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a virtual listening session for beginning farmers and ranchers to learn how COVID-19 impacted their farming operations and to get their feedback on USDA assistance. The listening session will take place on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time. “We invite beginning farmers and ranchers to …
Commissioner Nikki Fried & FDACS Submit Public Comment on USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy
Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services submitted formal public comment on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. As part of the Executive Order, the USDA was directed to collect stakeholder input on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. Commissioner Fried …
Vilsack Discusses History of Discrimination by the USDA
During that hearing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told lawmakers, “We will over the next four years do everything we can to root out whatever systemic racism and barriers that may exist at the Department of Agriculture.” In a recent interview with Southeast AgNet, Vilsack explained what they are looking at. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants producers to know …