The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages agricultural producers and forest landowners across the Southeast to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. NRCS is accepting applications for 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. For fiscal year 2024, NRCS …
New USDA Programs Ease Transition to Organic Production
(USDA/WASHINGTON, May 15, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new programs, partnerships, grant awards and an additional $10 million in funding to expand the markets for organic products and help producers transition to organic production. These programs will support the development of new and better markets for domestic organic products, provide hands-on training to producers transitioning to organic production and ease the …
USDA-NRCS Working to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds livestock producers that May 26 is the application deadline in their efforts to expand conservation on grazing lands. Investments of up to $22 million in partnerships through the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) are designed to expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby said, “NRCS enlists a wide variety of …
USDA Awards Contracts for Peanuts and Peanut Butter
Some big contracts for peanuts and peanut butter to be used in federal nutrition programs have been awarded by USDA. Will Jordan has the details. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
USDA and States Collaborate on H5N1 Prevention
United States Department of Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, has said that his department and states are increasing collaborative efforts to stifle H5N1. USDA’s Rod Bain Reports. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Unpacking USDA’s Traceability Rule
If you had a bag phone in the late 80’s, you’ve probably updated to more modern technology since then. Cattle producers are familiar with the metal ear tags required by USDA and Electronic ID or EID tags are simply the modern version of traceability identification. I visited with Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affair at NCBA to unpack the …
USDA-NRCS Provides Conservation Programs for Organic Producers
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has a variety of programs that benefit producers across the Southeast in many ways and on many operations. This includes through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. And if you are an organic producer, yes this includes you. Last year, NRCS started providing assistance for a …
Dairy Industry Contributes to USDA School Meal Standards
USDA has announced new nutrition standards for school meals. What are the current requirements for milk in school meals? Schools may currently offer fat-free and low-fat (1 percent fat) milk, flavored and unflavored, in reimbursable school lunches and breakfasts and for sale as a competitive beverage. Unflavored milk must be offered at each school meal service. Fat-free and low-fat milk, …
USDA Seeks to Reduce Chicken-Related Salmonella Outbreaks
(USDA/WASHINGTON D.C./ April 26, 2024) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced its final determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in raw breaded stuffed chicken products when they exceed a specific threshold (1 colony forming unit (CFU) per gram or higher) for Salmonella contamination. This final determination is part of FSIS’ broader efforts to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with the …
USDA-NRCS Expanding Grazing Lands Conservation
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until May 26, 2024. An investment up to $22 million is being made in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements will identify and address barriers to …