A new coalition of agriculture groups with a new focus. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Several industry associations launched the Ag Bioeconomy Coalition just days ago, to advance federal policy initiatives that foster growth toward a circular economy based on innovative products derived from agricultural commodities. Encompassing a broad range of technologies, the ag bioeconomy uses renewable, …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2022
With the 2022 crop production season soon to begin, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be contacting producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. Later this month, NASS will mail survey questionnaires asking producers to provide information about the crops they intend to plant in 2022, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of …
Growers Discuss Priorities for 2023 Farm Bill
The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire in 2023, so preparations are underway to craft the behemoth legislation into law sometime next year. However, it is common for negotiations to extend into the following year. Whether the new farm bill is passed in 2023 or 2024, there’s a lot of work ahead. The farm bill was the focus of …
Alabama Hemp Meetings Being Held This Month
For those interested, five hemp licensee orientation meetings will be held on various dates and locations this month. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is partnering with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) to host the meetings. Clint Thompson has more details. Each of the hemp licensee orientation meetings will run from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information click here. More information about growing …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …
New H-2A Labor Wages Effective Dec. 29
A recent issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Dec. 29. H-2A workers are foreign agricultural workers who are allowed to work in the United States temporarily. In recent years, the vast majority of Florida citrus has been harvested by H-2A workers. The Employment and Training Administration …
Port Problems Plague Producers
The ongoing supply-chain crisis is a big headache to businesses and consumers alike, with no end in sight for the immediate future. Perishable products are particularly at risk, as even a week or two delay can affect product quality. The port delays that caused the supply-chain crisis began on the West Coast with labor shortages due to the pandemic. These …
Application Period Ends Monday for 2022 Hemp Licenses in Alabama
For the past few weeks, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been accepting applications from hemp growers, processors/handlers and universities for a 2022 industrial hemp license. But, the application period ends Monday, November 29th at 5:00 pm (CT). In 2016, the Alabama Legislature passed the Alabama Industrial Hemp Research Program Act, Section 2-8-380 Code of Alabama 1975, tasking ADAI with the development of a licensing …
Producers Urged to Respond to USDA Hemp Survey
USDA officials are urging hemp producers to respond to a survey, saying it is not too late be a part of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey. The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is collecting information. Bill Richmond with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service explains some of the data being sought in the current survey. The survey will set the benchmark …