GCC Event to Educate Students About Cotton, Agriculture

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) Live Exploration: Georgia Cotton event will educate students about cotton and its impact on Georgia’s economy. It will also enlighten some about a potential future career in agriculture, says Caroline Gentry, an education and outreach specialist at GCC. “There’s so many opportunities out there that kids don’t even think about from sales …

Florida Agriculture Included in State Budget

Dan Florida, Legislative

The 2022 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last week when lawmakers passed the $112.1 billion budget for next fiscal year. Looking at some of the ways that relates to agriculture, in her final legislative report for the session Mary Ann Hooks, director of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Government Affairs, noted they did exceptionally well and they are thrilled to …

American Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021

Dan Exports/Imports

According to the final 2021 trade data published this morning by the U.S. Department of Commerce, exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record set in 2014 by 14.6 percent. “These record-breaking trade numbers demonstrate that U.S. agriculture is incredibly resilient as it …

Agricultural Water Use Changes Proposed

Dan Citrus, Irrigation, Water, Wetland

Taylor Langford O’Bannon, food safety Extension agent for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), shared information on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed changes to the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule. The changes pertain specifically to Subpart E (Agricultural Water). “The proposed changes, if finalized, will replace the pre-harvest microbial quality criteria and testing …

Lower U.S. Agricultural Export Forecast

Dan Exports/Imports

According to a new USDA forecast, prospects for U.S. agricultural export values in this new fiscal year, which started October 1st, are good. But, they are not as good as they seemed a few months ago. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer reviews the new forecast. Meyer explains why the reductions were made. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR …

Agriculture in the Sunshine State

Dan Florida, USDA-NASS

Back in July of this year, an article written by Mark Hudson with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), hi-lighted Agriculture in the Sunshine State. And while he noted Florida’s recognized signature crop is citrus, there are other significant commodities. This of course includes vegetables, where the state ranks fourth among all states in total vegetables harvested acres. Most of these crops are grown beginning …

Agriculture Output and Labor Growth Projected

Dan Citrus, Labor and Immigration

Real output in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting labor sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3% from 2020 to 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recently reported. That’s slightly higher than the 2.2% annual growth rate projected for the entire U.S. economy. According to the report, the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting sector is …

Robert Bonnie Confirmed as Under Secretary of Agriculture for FPAC

Dan Legislative, USDA

Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed Robert Bonnie as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). As Under Secretary, Bonnie will oversee the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency and FPAC Business Center. He will also manage the USDA’s Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Partnership Program. And various folks …

New Promotional Opportunity for Agritourism Venues

Dan Economy

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is looking for orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more to showcase on a new app. The American Farm trail app is dedicated to connecting consumers with agritourism venues. Created by the Farm Bureau Foundation and sponsored by Corteva, the app allows farmers, ranchers and farm attraction managers to sign up for free …