All former U.S. secretaries of agriculture since President Reagan’s administration announced support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA saying, “We need …
Popular Tropical Fruit to Grow at Home
Cathy Isom gives you a few of the particulars about a popular tropical fruit you can grow at home. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Growing heat loving or tropical plants is possible in containers. And one plant that works best is the Banana Tree. Bananas technically aren’t trees, but herbaceous perennials. They come in a number of …
USDA Resources Available for Farmers Hurt by 2018, 2019 Disasters
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-September 18, 2019) — Farmers and producers in 25 Alabama counties affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019 can apply for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) beginning Sept. 11. “Alabama agriculture has taken some body blows over the last two years from extreme weather,” said Jessica …
2020 Alabama Hemp Program Update
MONTGOMERY, AL (ADAI-September 17, 2019) – The Alabama Hemp program launched in the beginning of 2019, after the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e. Farm Bill) declassified hemp as a schedule 1 drug and deemed hemp as an agriculture commodity. This legislation defines hemp as all parts of the plant containing less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids. …
Florida Eyes Washington on Hemp Rules
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-September 17, 2019) — Florida farmers might not be held back from planting hemp next year even if the federal government has not signed off on long-awaited rule changes. Holly Bell, Florida’s director of cannabis, told the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that, if all goes well, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ permitting for hemp …
Why, When, and How to Prune Your Blueberries
If you have blueberries planted in your yard, or garden, then you probably ask yourself about pruning. Cathy Isom gives you a few tips about why, when, and how to prune blueberries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Pruning is an essential part of growing any fruit crop. Pruning encourages the healthy growth of the blueberry bush. It …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2019 Crop
ATHENS, GA (USDA/NASS-September 12, 2019) — During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a look into the 2019 pecan production forecast. “The pecan industry is a big player, especially in southern agriculture and it is crucial for us to have …
A Few Plants to Grow that Are Hard to Kill
Whether you have a green thumb or not, Cathy Isom fills you in about several choices of plants that are hard to kill. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. You don’t have to have a green thumb or even a lot of time to raise plants. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ll kill everything you touch? The good news is …
Three Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Sept. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated three Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Dale, Geneva, and Henry counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster …
Holmes County, Florida Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Sept. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Holmes County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …