sustainable

Plant Odors Offer Hope for Sustainable Agriculture

Dan Environment, Organic

Researchers at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) have uncovered groundbreaking potential in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for sustainable pest control and enhanced crop defense. VOCs are natural chemicals plants release when stressed, such as during pest attacks. These compounds signal nearby plants to activate their defenses, forming a natural communication network. In a review published in Trends in Plant Science, …

Farmer-Led

Applications Now Open for OFRF’s 2025 Farmer-Led Trials Program

Dan Agri-Business, Organic

Organic and transitioning farmers and ranchers can now apply for the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)’s Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program for the 2025 season. This program offers a unique opportunity to address on-farm production challenges through hands-on research, technical support, and funding. Applications are open until December 1, 2024. The Farmer-Led Trials Program encourages producers to innovate by testing new …

organic dairy

USDA Offers $58 Million for Organic Dairy Producers

Dan Agri-Business, Dairy, Funding, Organic, Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP), USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) 2024, providing $58 million in marketing assistance to certified organic dairy producers. This program aims to help farmers expand their markets and boost the consumption of organic dairy products. Zach Ducheneaux, Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator, highlighted the USDA’s commitment to supporting organic dairies during …

organic

Organic Farming Takes Center Stage at NYC Climate Week

Dan Climate Change, Environment, Organic

It’s Climate Week in New York City, and while perhaps not as famous as New York’s Fashion Week, it is bringing agriculture into the spotlight. Speaking at a forum co-hosted by Food Tank and the James Beard Foundation, CEO of Organic Valley, Jeff Frank discussed the benefits of organic farming. “At Organic Valley, we we’re the nation’s largest cooperative of …

Organic market

Organic Market Development Grants

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Organic, This Land of Ours

USDA awards the final round of Organic Market Development Grants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The final round of USDA Organic Market Development Grants was awarded, investing $85 million dollars in projects in 36 states. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

insurance options

USDA Expands Insurance Options for Specialty and Organic Growers

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy, Organic, Specialty Crops, USDA-RMA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is expanding crop insurance options for specialty and organic growers beginning with the 2025 crop year. The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding coverage options by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. This is the first of …

New USDA Programs Ease Transition to Organic Production

Dan Organic, USDA

(USDA/WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new programs, partnerships, grant awards and an additional $10 million in funding to expand the markets for organic products and help producers transition to organic production. These programs will support the development of new and better markets for domestic organic products, provide hands-on training to producers transitioning to organic production and ease the …

USDA-NRCS Provides Conservation Programs for Organic Producers

Dan Agri-Business, Organic, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a variety of programs that benefit producers across the Southeast in many ways and on many operations. This includes through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. And if you are an organic producer, yes this includes you. Last year, NRCS started providing assistance for a …

USDA Grants to Improve Organic Market

Dan Organic

USDA is working to help organic growers keep up with market demand. Consumer demand for domestic organic products is on the rise, said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Program Jenny Lester Moffitt as she highlighted the Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) program. “It’s an opportunity for producers to be able to capture a price premium. It’s a market …