Tropical activity in the western part of the U.S. is causing many issues there. But according to a story from Mark Oppold, much of the country will experience dry conditions again this week. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged About the FutureMarch 27, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs
The Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act seeks to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs. Congressman John Duarte, a farmer from California, is on the coalition behind the act. He says current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations of $900,000 disproportionately limit producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs. “That sounds …
Two Florida Black Farmers Get Marijuana Licenses
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL) — Two Florida Black farmers have received licenses to grow, process and sell medical marijuana, after a new state law helped clear the way for the long-awaited licenses. The Florida Department of Health issued the licenses July 11 to Suwannee County farmer Terry Donnell Gwinn and Bascom-based Shedrick McGriff. The farmers each met a Friday deadline to submit …
Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Seminar Program Released
The 2023 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo is just four weeks away, and the seminar program is now available. Seminar sessions are a huge part of what makes the Expo a success. The two-day event will include a general session and concurrent citrus and vegetable/specialty crop sessions. The general session will kick off the seminars at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16th. Following …
High Production Costs Won’t Ease Next Year
USDA’s first cost of production forecast for major field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, and others shows that input costs are expected to remain elevated into the next growing season. The costs will likely be at the third-highest level of all time and only slightly lower than the record high in 2022. While some input costs like fertilizer …
Sugar Policy and International Trade Topics of Discussion
The House Ways and Means Committee this week held a field hearing on trade with a focus on agriculture and critical supply chains. The hearing took place in Kimball, Minnesota on the farm of NCBA president Don Schiefelbein of Schiefelbein Farms. U.S. sugar policy and international sugar trade were among the topics of discussion, with Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate”, Commissioner, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) recently hosted the 20th annual Tomato Sandwich Lunch at the Ed Teague Arena in Montgomery. Were you pleased with this year’s event? Again, to find a local farmers market near you, check out the Sweet Grown Alabama website, which includes a searchable …
Cherries Abundant for Independence Day
Great news for those adding cherries to the Fourth of July menu. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The summertime treat of fresh cherries is abundant for this Independence Day. The USDA forecast for sweet cherries this season is expected to be about 371 million tons, which is a 60 percent increase from last year. The USDA National …
New EPA Regulations on Gene Editing in Specialty Crops
by Sabrina Halvorson Fruit and vegetable plant breeders who use gene editing are now facing more regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA recently increased oversight of some gene-edited crops and added to the workload and waiting time for those in the produce industry. Dr. Margaret Worthington is an Associate Professor of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas …
Georgia Counties As Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following March Freezes
(GDA/Atlanta, GA/June 27, 2023) — Yesterday, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a natural disaster declaration for numerous Georgia counties following the untimely March freezes that caused significant damage to Georgia’s peach crop as well as other commodities. This declaration allows USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend essential emergency credit to Georgia farmers and follows a months’ …