On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Next Gen Fertilizer Challenges, a joint EPA-USDA partnership and competition to advance agricultural sustainability in the United States. The competition includes two challenges that seek proposals for new and existing fertilizer technologies to maintain or improve crop yields while reducing the impacts of …
Investigating Farmers to Families Food Box Program
The House Coronavirus Crisis subcommittee seeks data on the Farmers to Families Food Box Program from the Department of Agriculture. Committee Chair, Representative James Clyburn, a Democrat from South Carolina, made the request in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Clyburn cited concerns of “questionable contracting practices, a lack of accountability, and a failure to deliver food to many …
More Funding for Food Box Program
President Donald Trump announced on Monday an additional $1 billion for the Farmers to Families Food Box program. The Department of Agriculture announced the program earlier this year, along with $3 billion in funding to help farmers and consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the program, USDA purchases food from farmers, then local distributors pack and deliver the boxes to …
Northey Encourages Producers to Take USDA Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers and private forestland owners. The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Risk Management Agency (RMA). Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill …
USDA Designates Toombs County, Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available United States Department of Agriculture WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2020 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Toombs County, Georgia, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to hail that occurred on April 8, 2020, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency …
House Lawmakers Introduce Helping America’s Farmers Act
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives this week introduced the Helping America’s Farmers Act. The legislation would create a new economic injury disaster loan program at the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency. Introduced by Representative Jahana Hayes, a Connecticut Democrat and Antonio Delgado, a New York Democrat, the bill is endorsed by the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy …
During Hurricane Season, USDA Offers New and Improved Insurance Options
By Martin R. Barbre, Administrator, Risk Management Agency, USDA The 2020 hurricane season has begun, and many experts have predicted above-normal activity this year. USDA is ready to help you during this hurricane season. USDA Helps Producers Recover From Disasters and Prepare for Future Ones USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently introduced a new crop insurance hurricane endorsement, Hurricane Insurance …
USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic
USDA (Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation. “The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire …