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, …
Secretary Perdue Commemorates First Year at USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue commemorated his first year at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by releasing a new interactive website and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue: Year One video(below). In his first year, Secretary Perdue and the USDA team made breakthroughs in agricultural trade, moved to reduce burdensome regulations, responded to natural disasters, and battled through the worst fire season on …
UF Leads Trend to Open Food Businesses with Workshops
Kimberly and George Vecchio wanted to reinvent their 20-acre farm near Vero Beach from mostly animals to produce so they could start a food business. Though George had been a gourmet chef for more than 20 years, they didn’t know how to start the new enterprise. “We didn’t know what questions to ask, or even where to start, even though …
UF/IFAS Joins 15 Other Universities in Telling Congress How They Feed the World
Federal Investment in Agricultural Research is Essential for US Farmers to Stay Competitive; FedByScience—Universities Telling Stories of Discovery—Launches Alongside 2018 Farm Bill China Has Outspent U.S. on Agriculture Research for the Past Decade; University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Joining National Initiative to Turn the Tables A new effort to boost federal investment in agricultural research—FedByScience—launched in …
Asian Nations Cautious About the U.S. Back in TPP
Japan, Australia, and New Zealand were cautious in their reaction to the news that U.S. President Trump might reopen talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It’s the same deal he pulled America out of as soon as he took office. An Associated Press report says Japanese officials welcome the move if it means Trump is recognizing the importance of the …
House Members from Across the Country Praise 2018 Farm Bill
The House Agriculture Committee introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2). The bill helps address the economic challenges facing farmers and ranchers, while making historic investments in opportunities for SNAP recipients. Across the country, members continue offering their praise and support for the 2018 Farm Bill. Several of these members’ comments are included below: “Introduction of the …
New Lantana Plants Protect Native Flora and Enhance Landscapes
Home and property owners often enhance their landscapes with the beautiful lantana, but some of the plant’s varieties may escape yards, spread to areas where they shouldn’t go and cross-pollinate Florida’s native lantana. That’s why, in 2004, the head of the Tampa Bay Wholesale Growers Association asked University of Florida plant scientist Zhanao Deng if he could breed sterile, non-invasive …