A report from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that the amount of specialty crops enrolled in federal risk management programs has nearly doubled in the last ten years. The value of specialty crops insured by FCIP (i.e., liabilities) increased from about $12 billion in 2011 to about $21 billion in 2020 (not adjusted for inflation). The States with the most policies are …
Strawberry Season Lasting Longer
Peak strawberry season is lasting a little longer in one growing area. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. California strawberry production is expected to hit its second-highest season on record, extending peak season well into fall. As the country’s leading producer of strawberries growing 90% of all strawberries produced in the U.S., consumers can expect to see abundant …
RMA Insurance Options for Specialty Crops, Organics
The USDA is targeting specialty crop, organic, and urban ag producers for listening sessions on two insurance options, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP) and the Micro Farm insurance options. WFRP and Micro Farm are two of the most comprehensive risk management options available. “We want to make sure farmers and ranchers know about these very important insurance options. We invite specialty crop, organic, urban and …
Farmers Try to Sort Out Hurricane Damage
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 06, 2022) — A week after Hurricane Ian stormed across Florida, farmers and ranchers continue waiting for flood waters to recede to get a full picture of the destruction to citrus groves and cattle operations. The storm killed at least 200 cows at a dairy farm in Myakka City, while beef cattle counts remain uncertain until herds can …
Hurricane Ian Devastates Southwest Florida Agriculture
Florida Farm Bureau (FFB) notes it is working with their members to assess the damage farmers and ranchers across the state suffered from Hurricane Ian in order determine their needs. Many are facing widespread destruction of crops, buildings, fencing and other property loss due to substantial wind and water damage. In the citrus belt, there has been significant fruit drop, …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …
Florida on Alert as Hurricane Ian Threatens
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 26, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis urged Floridians to be aware of local evacuation orders as Hurricane Ian is expected to strengthen into a “major” storm in the eastern Gulf of Mexico as early as Tuesday. DeSantis said during a media briefing just before noon Monday that Ian will bring heavy rain, strong winds, flash flooding, storm surges …
Judge Rules U.S. Sugar Deal Can Move Forward
Last Friday, a judge rejected an attempt by federal antitrust officials to block the U.S. Sugar Corporation from purchasing another large player in the sugar industry. According to the News Service of Florida (NSF), U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika ruled against the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed a lawsuit last year in Delaware to try to prevent the combination …
North Florida Farmer Selected for Pot License
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Sept. 21, 2022) — The owner of a Suwanee County farm is in line to be the state’s newest medical-marijuana operator, beating out 11 other applicants competing for a license earmarked for a Black farmer with ties to Florida. The state Department of Health announced it had issued a “written notice of intent” to approve a medical-marijuana license for Terry …
Candy is Big Business in U.S., Sugar Industry Concerned about Policy
American candy makers are doing quite well, but is there a threat to the sugar industry? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. It seems the U.S. has a sweet tooth, and that means big profits for candy makers. According to the National Confectioners Association, U.S. confectionery sales will reach $44.9 billion by 2026, which is a more than 20 …