The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Wednesday announced draft recommendations on the naming of plant-based foods that are marketed and sold as alternatives to milk. The guidance recommends that an alternative milk product that includes the term milk and has a nutrient composition different than milk, include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares with milk. Jim …
IRA Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Investing in climate-smart agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for agricultural producers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion over five years for climate-smart agriculture through several USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. NRCS is …
NRCS Advanced Climate-Smart Agriculture, Broadened Reach of Conservation in Past Two Years
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants landowners to know that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work across the country amid an ongoing pandemic and numerous natural disasters. During that time, they helped agricultural producers and forest landowners, including urban and underserved producers, implement conservation practices on their working lands. These efforts by NRCS helped conserve natural resources …
New Year’s Resolutions for the Farm
It’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions, even for the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging farmers to make New Year’s resolutions for conservation on the farm. Ciji Taylor, USDA Public Affairs Specialist, gives some suggestions in an online article, including: When it comes to any resolution, making them …
Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Winners Announced by FDACS
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Oct. 25, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are proud to announce the winners of the 2022 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The program, created in 1994, highlights environmentally innovative farming practices across different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry. This year’s winners will be honored at the Commissioner’s Breakfast on Friday, October 28th, during …
USDA Announces Fertilizer Production Grants
While speaking at the annual meeting of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $500 million in grants is available to increase American-made fertilizer production. It’s an effort to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine. “Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President …
GCC Applauds Grant for Cotton Trust Protocol
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) continues to tout the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol as a sustainable initiative that all producers should join. Taylor Sills, executive director of the GCC, discusses the latest news highlighting the Protocol’s value, this time with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “As you will remember a while back, the USDA and Secretary …
Plains Peanut Festival is Saturday
The 2022 Plains Peanut Festival will be held Saturday, September 24. Tyron Spearman has more information about the annual event. Plains, Peanuts and a President The 25th Annual Plains Peanut Festival Celebrates Peanut Harvest and Honors 39th President Jimmy Carter (GPC/TIFTON, GA/Sept. 16, 2022) — The 25th annual Plains Peanut Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 24 in Plains, Georgia, home of …
NMPF on the False Promises of ‘Lab-Based’ Dairy
Much like plant-based imitators, precision fermentation technology is a sector working to create so-called animal-free dairy products. But, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President and Staff Counsel, Clay Detlefsen, says a real dairy product cannot be made with precision fermentation technology. During a recent interview with the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, Detlefsen said the marketing of the products is …
USDA to Invest up to $300 million in New Organic Transition Initiative
(WASHINGTON, Aug. 22, 2022) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $300 million investment, including with American Rescue Plan funds, in a new Organic Transition Initiative that will help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers. Organic production allows producers to hold a unique position in the marketplace …