Feral swine is an issue not only here in the Southeast, but across other parts of the country too. And it has been five years since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched their Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). It is designed to help agricultural producers and private landowners combat the costly impacts of feral swine. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Organic Dairy Program
Organic dairy producers have more time to submit applications for the USDA’s Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). The program was established to help mitigate several factors that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. The funds will assist with projected marketing costs in 2023, calculated using their marketing costs in 2022. “We made that available earlier in …
USDA Extends Deadline for Emergency Conservation Program Applications from Florida Producers in 28 Counties
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Ian. The application deadline has been extended to September 25, 2023. “We understand the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Ian and the catastrophic and widespread impacts in Florida’s agricultural communities,” said Deborah Tannenbaum, State Executive …
USDA Investing in Urban Agriculture
The USDA is investing in urban agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA announced a series of investments that will increase market access and revenue streams for producers while strengthening the food system. The investments will also give consumers better access to locally-grown foods and healthier choices. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small …
USDA Unveils Efforts to Streamline Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is streamlining its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to ultimately better help agricultural producers and private landowners conserve wetlands, productive farmlands and at-risk grasslands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is rolling out several improvements to the program, which has more than 5 million acres of land enrolled, in response to feedback from producers, landowners and conservation partners. …
USDA Requests Input on GHG Measurement Plans
The USDA wants the public’s opinion on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA is requesting public input on the draft “Federal Strategy to Advance Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Monitoring for the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (.pdf).” The draft Federal Strategy outlines a framework for enhancing greenhouse gas measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification within …
USDA Resources for Preventing HPAI
How the USDA is helping poultry producers keep the bird flu from spreading. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA has several informational resources to help poultry producers protect their flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford says at the center of the effort is the “Defend the Flock” educational program. “[There is] lots of …
USDA Investments Promote Competition and Strengthen the Supply Chain
The USDA is making investments to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers, and support a growing workforce in rural areas. “While American farmers and ranchers have been responding to the demand to produce more, their communities have struggled to see their share of benefits,” says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “We’re committed to championing meat …
USDA: SNAP Payment Error Rates Rise
The USDA is seeing more errors in SNAP payments. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The combined payment error rate for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments went from 7.3 percent in fiscal year 2019 to 11.5 percent in fiscal year 2022. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) says from 2022 to 2022, states were providing pandemic-related …
USDA Announces Historic Investment in Wildlife Conservation
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will expand its work on wildlife conservation by investing at least $500 million over the next five years. This includes leveraging all available conservation programs through both the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA). These commitments will ramp up the conservation assistance for farmers, ranchers, private forest owners and tribes …