Farm Bill Removes Hemp as Controlled Substance

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

On Dec. 12, Congress passed the 2018 Agriculture and Nutrition Act, better known as the farm bill, which is awaiting President Trump’s signature. The important legislation amends the classification of hemp as a Schedule I drug. This legislation defines hemp as all parts of the plant less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts and cannabinoids. Hemp is now deemed an agricultural …

USDA Highlights Opportunities for Producers and Vendors

Dan Dairy, Fruits, Industry News Release, Pork, Vegetables

Apples, Grapes, Oranges, Pork, Fluid Milk and more Earlier, a new USDA Foods vendor delivered 2,000 gallons of fresh milk to the D.C. Capital Area Food Bank. The delivery was one of many taking place at food banks across the country resulting from purchases made by the USDA to provide market support to the dairy industry. USDA Foods are a …

Planting Christmas Trees for Yearly Harvest

Dan Forestry, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Cathy Isom began her Christmas tree series telling you abou8t the different types of trees, and some of their good qualities. Today, Cathy is letting you know how to get started planting your own Christmas tree. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Planting Christmas Trees for Yearly Harvest The first step is picking your Christmas tree variety. Step …

ADAI Announces Cost-Share Program for Specialty Crop Producers

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) is pleased to announce a cost-share program for specialty crop growers to alleviate the cost associated with GAP/GHP certification. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) audits are voluntary inspections that evaluate how fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored. The goal is to ensure that food is …

Register Now for Georgia Produce Safety Rule Training

Dan Fruits, Georgia, Vegetables

The Georgia Department of Agriculture wants to make sure produce growers know November 30th is the deadline to sign-up for a free one-day workshop designed to cover the standardized curriculum designed by the Produce Safety Alliance, which meets the regulatory requirements of the Produce Safety Rule under FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). The course, which will be held December 4 …

Florida Romaine Gets Cleared, New Labeling Approaches

Randall Weiseman Florida, Vegetables

Florida-grown romaine lettuce has been cleared as safe to eat according to a release from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) sent out earlier this morning. The clearing came from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after concluding the outbreak came from a region in California. The …