The National FFA Organization and National FFA Foundation have awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to 1,842 recipients, thanks to the generosity of 114 sponsors. More than 8,800 students applied online for the scholarships, with many of the applicants being considered for multiple awards. Approximately one in every five students who applied was awarded a scholarship. The scholarships were …
Five Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Atkinson, Clinch, Coffee, Jeff Davis and Ware counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the following contiguous counties in Georgia also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Appling Charlton Pierce Bacon Echols Telfair Ben Hill Irwin Toombs Berrien Lanier Wheeler Brantley …
USDA/NIFA Invests in Research on the Implications of Gene Editing Technologies
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced awards to advance research on public engagement and the implications of gene drive and other gene editing technologies. The funding is made possible through the Social Implications of Emerging Technologies initiative within NIFA’s Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities (AERC)’s program area. “Recent advances in gene editing …
‘Infectious Interest in Horticulture’ Helps Earn UF/IFAS Professor Top Honor
University of Florida environmental horticulture professor Sandra Wilson loves to teach, but just as importantly, she loves to hear about the successes of her former students. They find employment in their field. They get married. Those moments bring a gleam to her eyes. Former students are now adjunct professors, scientists, an entrepreneur, a horticultural and landscape foreman and more, she …
Alabama Farmers Discuss Farm Bill Plans with Ag Secretary
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with Alabama farmers May 3 to hear their ideas for the farm bill Congress is drafting. Perdue held the meeting at the request of Alabama’s U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, who chairs the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. About 20 farmers attended a roundtable discussion with Perdue at Sam Spruell’s Marion County farm near Guin. …
USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited public comment on the proposed rule to establish the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard mandated by Congress in 2016. The standard will provide a uniform way to offer meaningful disclosure for consumers who want more information about their food and avoid a patchwork system of state or private labels that could be confusing for …
USDA Seeks Feedback from Growers about 2018 Crops, Stocks, Livestock Inventories and Values
During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact nearly 700 producers across Florida to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2018. “Two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS …
Dairy MPP Enrollment Deadline a Month Away
Enrollment for the new Dairy Margin Protection Program continues through the end of this month. Dairy producers who haven’t already have until June first to review the changes to the program and sign up. Enrollment opened in early April after the Department of Agriculture announced changes to the program stemming from the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in February. …
Perdue on Timing of Disaster Funds
This week, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced new details on eligibility for that new USDA disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program, or 2017 WHIP. These dollars will help producers with recovery of their agricultural operations in at least nine states with hurricane damage and states impacted by wildfire. In a statement, Secretary Perdue said “At President Trump’s direction, …
USDA Rural Development Innovation Center Launches Interactive Webpage
To Share Best Practices for Rural Economic Development Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today unveiled a new interactive webpage to identify best practices for building rural prosperity. “Rural communities need forward-thinking strategies to build strong, resilient futures,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s Rural Development Innovation Center is focused on identifying unique opportunities, pioneering new, creative solutions to tough challenges, …