(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 …
Apply Now for Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implements the CIG program, where partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm …
DeSantis Vetoes Controversial Everglades Bill
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/June 8, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure tied to Everglades restoration that, even after being watered down during the legislative session, continued to draw concerns about potential wetlands destruction. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, pushed to pass the bill (SB 2508) during the session that ended in March. DeSantis criticized an initial version, leading …
Vilsack Gives Details on Food Supply Chain Plans
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack made an announcement Wednesday at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. on USDA’s framework for improving the food supply chain and transforming the food system. In a release, the secretary’s office said the address underscored “USDA’s commitment to increase competition, bolster access to healthy, affordable food, ensure growers and workers receive a greater share of the …
Quinoa Bacteria Research
Expanding the possibilities of quinoa. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Quinoa is increasingly popular as a high-protein, slightly nutty flavored grain-like seed that can be made into flour for bread and pasta, used in soups and cereal, eaten as a snack food, and fermented into alcoholic beverages like beer. Colorado and Nevada currently lead U.S production of quinoa, but …