florida

USDA Responding to Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

Dan Hurricane, USDA

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which devastated communities, homes, farms and businesses across parts of the Southeast, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has deployed staff to assist with response and recovery efforts. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

usda

USDA Invests in Dairy Industry

Dan Agri-Business, Cattle, Dairy, Economy, Funding

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $11.04 million in funding to support dairy businesses and producers under the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives (DBI) grant program, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. The initiatives support small and mid-sized dairy businesses in the development, production, marketing, and distribution of dairy …

usda

USDA Provides a Stress Hotline to Assist Producers

Dan Hurricane, USDA-FSA

Last Thursday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux were in both Florida and Georgia to assess damage and meet with farmers and residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Vilsack highlighted that USDA is taking measures like extending program signup opportunities and using waivers and emergency procedures to expedite recovery efforts on America’s working lands. And while those efforts …

Virtual Trade Event

USDA Seeks U.S. Food Producers for Virtual Trade Event

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Trade

The USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is inviting qualified U.S. food producers to participate in the North American Neighbors 2024 Virtual Trade Event (VTE) on December 3-4, 2024. Companies with a minimum of $1 million in sales are eligible to apply. The event will focus on helping U.S. businesses explore export opportunities, particularly in Canada, which is the largest market …

congressional

USDA Hurricane Recovery Resources

Sabrina Halvorson Hurricane

For Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, the USDA provides several offices and agencies that can assist farmers. Here is a list of key USDA offices and programs that could be involved in disaster recovery and support: 1. Farm Service Agency (FSA) 2. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) 3. Risk Management Agency (RMA) 4. Rural Development (RD) 5. Food and Nutrition Service …

dei focused awards

USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces EQIP Sign-Up

Dan Climate Change, Conservation, Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forestry, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) announces a fiscal year 2025 statewide federal assistance opportunity for agricultural and forest producers, through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This sign-up that concludes on November 15, 2024, will utilize 2018 Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding.  While applications are accepted year-round, this ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives, …

nrcs

USDA NRCS Offers Emergency Watershed Protection Program

Dan Hurricane, USDA-NRCS

As cleanup is underway after Hurricane Helene ravaged much of the Southeast last week, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners about the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program.  The EWP Program offers technical and financial assistance to help local communities relieve imminent threats to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and other natural disasters that impair a watershed. EWP does not …

Debt Consolidation

USDA Launches Online Debt Consolidation Tool

Dan Economy, USDA

Last month, the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new Debt Consolidation Tool that allows U.S. agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the Farm Service Agency.  “Providing producers with options to structure their debt in a manner …

food security

USDA Invests in Global Food Security

Dan Agri-Business

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking big steps to improve food security around the world. At the recent Clinton Global Initiative 2024 meeting, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a substantial investment of $466.5 million for two important programs: the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and Food for Progress. The McGovern-Dole program will receive $248 …