(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
World’s First Agriculture-Focused Satellite Launches
The first of seven satellites for agriculture launched into space Tuesday by SpaceX. Built by Dragonfly Aerospace, the satellite is part of the Transporter-6 mission for customer EOS Data Analytics. The remaining six satellites of the constellation will be deployed over the next three years. The EOS Data Analytics project is the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite constellation providing the industry …
Applications Open for Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program
Applications are open for Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Alltech recently announced applications are now open for the Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program. Now in its third year, the free-to-join program matches applicants based on their preferences, which can include gender of mentor, areas of expertise, language, and …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(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 NASS Reviewing Acreage Information
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced this week the agency is reviewing all available acreage data for select crops. NASS will review planted and harvested acreage for chickpeas, corn, cotton, dry edible peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets, in preparation for the September Crop Production report, which comes out Monday, September 12th. The reviewed information includes survey …
USDA Investing in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Earlier this month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and …
Agriculture Coalition Letter to Senate on Farm Labor
The Agriculture Workforce Coalition is calling on the Senate to pass an agriculture workforce reform bill this Congress. The coalition sent a letter to Senate leaders this week, which was signed by dozens of agricultural organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the International Fresh Produce Association, the National Farmers Union, and several associations from states where ag labor is …
House Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing on Hemp
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing Thursday to get a closer look at USDA’s Hemp Production Program in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill. Subcommittee chair Stacey Plaskett explained some of the history of hemp regulations in her opening statement. “Until recently, the hemp industry was outlawed due to restrictions put in place by …
House Agriculture Hearing on Credit for Farmers
The House Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing titled “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: The State of Credit for Young, Beginning, and Underserved Producers.” During his opening statement, chairman David Scott of Georgia said those producers face difficulties in obtaining credit that our more seasoned and established producers may not encounter. “Historically, these groups of producers tend to …
Florida Agriculture Community to Complete Federal Farm Bill Feedback Survey
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/July 15, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is encouraging Florida’s producers, stakeholders in food and nutrition fields, and consumers to complete the U.S. House Agriculture Committee 2023 Farm Bill online feedback survey. Providing feedback is essential to inform federal representatives of the needs and interests of Florida’s agricultural community as Congress looks to enact major policies that will drive the food and nutrition systems for years to …