The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced it has begun accepting applications for disaster assistance funding through the Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. Approximately $26 million will be made available for EQIP disaster assistance applicants to …
USDA Releases Interim Report on Meat Industry Practices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its Interim Report: Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising. The report aims to assess how retail concentration and business practices affect competition in the food sector, with a focus on the meat industry—especially beef. This report follows President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order No. 14036, which directed federal agencies to promote fair …
FDACS Urges USDA to Issue Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Milton Agricultural Damage
~ Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment Estimates Losses at $1.5 – $2.5 Billion ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/October 17, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Agriculture formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s agricultural producers, compounding losses and …
USDA-NRCS Provides Disaster Recovery Assistance
From hurricanes, floods or drought, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers, landowners and communities through a variety of USDA programs. One way help can be provided is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, and non-industrial …
Indemnity Payments to Producers Impacted by Hurricane Helene by USDA
(USDA/WASHINGTON, Oct. 15, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help producers impacted by Hurricane Helene in the recovery process. USDA is announcing the counties that have triggered for payment under the Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) endorsement for Hurricane Helene. As a result, Approved Insurance Providers (AIP) have 30 days …
USDA Launches New Tools to Improve Fertilizer and Grain Transportation Visibility
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has introduced two new tools to boost transparency and resilience in the agricultural transportation sector. Announced today, the Fertilizer Transportation Dashboard and the Pacific Northwest Barge Rate Data Series are now available on the Agricultural Transportation Open Data Platform (AgTransport). The Fertilizer Transportation Dashboard provides up-to-date information on key fertilizer supply chain indicators. These …
Video: Secretary Vilsack On USDA Efforts for Farmers and Communities Affected by Hurricanes
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack talks with Sabrina Halvorson about the USDA’s efforts to assist farmers, ranchers, and communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
USDA Invests $46 Million to Support Veteran and Underserved Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $46 million investment in projects aimed at supporting America’s veteran, underserved, and beginning farmers and ranchers. Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small made the announcement, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to helping aspiring farmers enter the industry and improve their operations. “Starting or taking over a farm takes courage,” said Torres Small. …
USDA Awards $25 Million to Support Specialty Crop Exports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced over $25 million in funding for eight projects under its new Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative. The program, launched in January 2024, aims to reduce non-tariff trade barriers for U.S. specialty crops like fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and horticultural products. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis M. …
USDA Unveils New Actions to Boost Fair Markets and Lower Food Prices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced more steps to deliver on the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy to promote fair and competitive markets for American farmers and ranchers, and lower food prices for American families. USDA published an interim report that assesses competitive conditions in the meat retail industry. The report draws on …