USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they will conduct a State Technical Committee Meeting on May 21, from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Doyle Conner Agriculture Building Auditorium in Gainesville. The meeting is open to the public and will give an overview of the 2018 Farm Bill programs and conservation easements. This year’s …
USDA Launches New Farmers.gov Features to Help with H2A Applications, Managing Loans
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched two new features on farmers.gov to help customers manage their farm loans and navigate the application process for H2A visas. “Customer service is our top priority at USDA and these new features will help our customers as they manage their farm loans and navigate the H-2A temporary agricultural …
Deadline Nearing for Block Grant Program Applications in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) wants to remind producers that the grant application deadline for projects that enhance the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign and domestic markets is April 18th. These block grants, through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), are for specialty crops like fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery …
Florida Department of Environmental Protection Addresses Ag Issues at Lay of the Land Conference
FDEP Secretary Noah Valenstein discusses growing water concerns, continued promotions for more urban growth, and views about agriculture south of Lake Okeechobee. By Gary Cooper Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein packed the room for his comments at the eleventh annual Lay of the Land Conference near Orlando late last week. The Lay of the Land Conference, hosted …
Wakulla County, Florida, Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Wakulla County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to Hurricane Michael that occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster area designation allows FSA to …
South Florida Water: Combating Fake News with Facts and Farm Tours
In recent weeks, South Florida farmers and residents continue to grow with nervous concern about misinformation circulating about Lake Okeechobee and related regional water issues. A couple of meetings taking place in recent days in local communities around the lake exemplify the growing rumble among grassroots residents and businesses throughout the entire region, especially those in rural areas. A growing …
Georgia Cotton Commission Approves 2020 Research
At its March 27th Board Meeting, the Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $656,287 in research for the 2020 crop year and also approved $25,500 in supplemental research for 2019. This money will go to fund eighteen projects that will be conducted by researchers and extension specialists from the University of Georgia and the University of West Georgia. Projects …
Statement on the Tomato Suspension Agreement
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas (FPAA) and other allied groups such as the Border Trade Alliance continue to make misleading statements about the tomato suspension agreement in an apparent attempt to muddy the waters and stoke fear among other agricultural groups in the U.S. Here are a couple basic points to keep in mind: Support for the termination …
USDA Designates 11 Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 11 Florida counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Walton and Washington counties who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Michael that occurred on Oct. 10, 2018, may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) …
USDA Provides Information for Producers and Veterinarians to Help Guard Against ASF
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Jack Shere is reminding pig producers and veterinarians of the signs and symptoms of a deadly swine disease that could dramatically impact the U.S. pig population. African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious foreign animal disease that affects both domestic and feral (wild) pigs. It does not affect human …