(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available $12 million for use in making payments to forest landowners with land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in exchange for their implementing healthy forest management practices. Existing CRP participants can now sign up for the Forest Management Incentive (FMI), which provides financial incentives to landowners with land …
USDA Measuring Financial Well-Being of Southern Farmers, Ranchers
Late last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) started gathering information about farm economics and production practices. NASS is reaching out to nearly 4,000 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina through March, as the agency conducts the final phase of the 2020 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). “ARMS is the …
Stabenow Urges USDA to Prioritize Protections for Food Workers
Senator Debbie Stabenow, the incoming Senate Agriculture Committee chair, urged the Department of Agriculture this week to implement the bipartisan worker protection provisions in the COVID-19 assistance package. The Michigan Democrat says, “In order to repair our food supply and feed families in need, USDA must prioritize safety in addition to food purchases.” In the recently passed COVID-19 assistance package, …
USDA WASDE Report Sends Grain Markets Higher
The latest World Agriculture Supply and Demand (WADSE) report sent grain markets higher Tuesday. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) monthly corn outlook called for lower production, reduced corn used for ethanol, smaller feed and residual use and exports and decreased ending stocks. Corn production is estimated at 14.1 billion bushels, down 324 million on a lower yield and slight …
USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities Amid Ongoing Pandemic
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15, 2021. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30, 2021. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting written agreement requests and …
USDA Seeks Members for Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture
(USDA/NRCS-FL) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking members for a new advisory committee on urban agriculture, part of a broader effort to focus on the needs of urban farmers. The 12-person committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well …
USDA Invests $4.6 Million in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Georgia
ReConnect Funding to Connect 1,326 Rural Georgia Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (USDA) — The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $4.6 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Georgia. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program. “The …
USDA Provides Funds to Florida to Support Projects that Protect Agriculture and Natural Resources
(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $3.7 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing more than $70 million in funding this year to support 383 projects in 49 states, …
Secure Options for Signing, Sharing USDA Documents Online
Farmers and ranchers are being reminded when you work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA), you can sign and share documents online with just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure and available for multiple …
USDA, HHS Release Dietary Guidelines for Americans
Washington, D.C., December 29, 2020) – Nutrition in America took a major step forward today with the publication of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. Jointly published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) every five years, the guidelines provide science-based recommendations designed to foster healthy dietary patterns for Americans of all ages – from …