Report on Specialty Crops in USDA Programs

Dan Specialty Crops, USDA-ERS

A report from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that the amount of specialty crops enrolled in federal risk management programs has nearly doubled in the last ten years. The value of specialty crops insured by FCIP (i.e., liabilities) increased from about $12 billion in 2011 to about $21 billion in 2020 (not adjusted for inflation). The States with the most policies are …

USDA Expedites Hurricane Ian Disaster Recovery

Dan Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Florida, USDA-NRCS

In order to expedite Hurricane Ian disaster recovery, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced it is issuing early start waivers in Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) emergency declaration counties, to allow commencement of key conservation practices prior to conservation program contract approval. Juan C. Hernandez, Florida NRCS State Conservationist, told Southeast AgNet they can provide payments, through conservation program …

USDA-NRCS Providing Conservation Programs in the New Fiscal Year

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

Efforts to streamline and build upon USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) programs and services have been a part of preparations as the new fiscal year is underway. NRCS Chief, Terry Cosby, discusses how his agency has been studying how to build upon traditional conservation programs while serving many who would like to apply. To learn more about how the …

USDA Call Center Available to Assist Agricultural Producers with Hurricane Ian Recovery

Dan Economy, USDA-FSA, Weather

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established a call center that is available to assist agricultural producers with Hurricane Ian recovery. Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the hurricane, so for producers located in counties where the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) local infrastructure has been impacted, the agency has established state-specific toll-free information lines where producers …

USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Two Program Sign-Ups

Dan Climate Change, Conservation, Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forestry, Georgia, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced that two program sign-ups are underway. NRCS and partner groups have a sign-up for four regionally-focused conservation projects being funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Each project has unique objectives and boundaries, but the ranking date for all eligible producers in these project areas to apply is November 4, 2022. To learn …

Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses

Dan Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Crop Insurance, Dairy, Economy, Eggs, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry, Fruits, Hemp, Herbs, Industry, Livestock, Pasture, Peanuts, Pecans, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA, USDA-FSA, USDA-NRCS, Vegetables, Weather, Wheat

(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) —  In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …

USDA Extends Deadline for Grazing Land Agreements

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Pasture, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended the application deadline for the Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative Cooperative Agreements. The new deadline is now October 6. USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Associate Chief, …

USDA Announces Fertilizer Production Grants

Dan General

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 …

USDA Panel Targets County Committee

Dan USDA-FSA

The Equity Panel investigating discrimination within the agency wants USDA to consider eliminating the county committee system that’s played a big role in managing the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA’s) agricultural programs. Industry Update Dot Com says the Fairness Committee voted to recommend in an interim report to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack that the USDA do research and analysis on possibly …