The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) is encouraging agricultural producers and forest landowners in the state to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers. Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone …
New USDA Investment in Specialty Crop Research
USDA is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support nearly two dozen research and Extension projects. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced the funding on a call with reporters and described the kinds of projects that will be funded. “The awarded projects addressed key challenges of national, regional and multi state importance to the food …
USDA Clarifies “Domestic Origin”
USDA is clearing up some requirements in the meat industry. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Last year, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchased $800 million worth of meat products for use in nutrition assistance programs such as free school meals. That meat must fall under the requirements of domestic origin verification (DOV). However, those requirements are …
USDA Streamlines Regional Conservation Partnership Program in Alabama
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced improvements to the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) as well as an unprecedented $1 billion investment to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through 81 projects. Partnership to Advance Climate-Resilient Longleaf Restoration and Conservation on Private Lands in Alabama and Georgia will receive $25,000,000 in funding over the next five years. RCPP leverages …
USDA Unveils New Rules for Organic Livestock Producers
Certified organic livestock and poultry producers in the U.S. will soon have new production standards to follow. The USDA has unveiled new rules for organic livestock producers that establish clear, strong and consistent standards for organic livestock and poultry production. It levels the playing field for organic livestock farmers, ranchers and businesses and promotes fairer, more competitive markets for their products, …
USDA Funding Opportunities for Conservation Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced funding opportunities available through the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities. Will Jordan has more details. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
USDA Designates 11 Additional Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/Oct. 31, 2023) – Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced that USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has designated eleven Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. Additional counties were listed as contiguous disaster counties. “We recognize that the drought conditions have hit Alabama farmers hard and hope this disaster relief from USDA …
USDA NRCS Reminds Alabama Landowners about Sign-up Deadline
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners the Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill Easement and Financial Assistance Programs signup batching date is Friday, November 3rd, 2023. This signup includes these programs: ACEP–WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect …
USDA Conducting Sheep Study in 2024
USDA’s National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS) conducts a national sheep study approximately every ten years, and will do so again next year. The Sheep 2024 Study will support industry groups and research efforts with new information on sheep health and management. The study consists of two phases and includes biological sampling and two questionnaires. A random selection of almost …
USDA FSA Hurricane Idalia Loan Informational Session
Would you like to meet with USDA Farm Service Agency staff regarding loan assistance for Hurricane Idalia Recovery? The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), in cooperation with UF/IFAS Extension will host an informational and Q&A session, please see details below. FSA offers a variety of financial assistance programs, this session will focus on FSA loan options. There will be bilingual …