USDA Offers New Hurricane Insurance Endorsement for Crop Year 2020

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

(USDA/RMA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or county adjacent, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. The coverage provided by HIP-WI can be combined …

USDA Announces Updates for Honeybee Producers

Dan Aquaculture, Industry News Release, Pollinators

(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced updates to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). These updates include changes required by the 2018 Farm Bill as well as discretionary changes intended to improve the administration of the program and clarify existing program requirements. “Honeybee producers should pay close attention …

USDA Gets a New Look with FPAC

Dan Economy, Peanuts

Chief of Staff for USDA’s Farm Service Agency recently gave an update on FPAC, Farm Production and Conservation, which started in 2017.  As Tyron Spearman reports, the department was designed to help administer funds. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

USDA and USTR Announce Progress on Implementation of U.S.-China Phase One Agreement

Clint Thompson Trade

WASHINGTON, February 25, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced today that China has taken numerous actions to begin implementing its agriculture-related commitments under the landmark U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement on schedule. The agreement entered into force on February 14, 2020. These actions include: Signing a protocol that allows …

USDA Invests in Broadband for Rural Georgia Communities

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release, Technology

(USDA/RD) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $5 million investment in two, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 1,221 rural households, 32 pre-subscribed businesses and 20 pre-subscribed farms in McIntosh and Evans counties in Georgia. This is one of many funding announcements in the first round of the United States Department of Agriculture’s …

USDA and EPA Announce Continued Commitment to Support Rural Water Systems

Dan Industry News Release, Water

(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will help rural water systems face the challenges of aging infrastructure, workforce shortages, increasing costs, limited management capacity and declining rate bases. Through this MOA, USDA and EPA will conduct joint activities to help rural water systems continue …

Secretary Perdue Announces New Innovation Initiative for USDA

Dan Industry News Release

The Agriculture Innovation Agenda is a Solution for Farmers, Consumers, and the Environment (USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can …

USDA Offers New Insurance Pilot Program for Nursery Crops in 2021

Clint Thompson General

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 20, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) today announced a new crop insurance pilot program, Nursery Value Select (NVS), for crop year 2021. NVS is another crop insurance option for nursery crop producers, including those growing hemp, in addition to the Nursery crop insurance program. NVS is available in select counties …

USDA Invites Input on Regional Conservation Partnership Program Rule

Clint Thompson General

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 12, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comments on its interim rule for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which helps partners develop and implement unique conservation solutions that engage farmers, ranchers and forest landowners. The rule – now available on the Federal Register – takes effect on publication and includes changes to …

USDA Invests in Rural Broadband Infrastructure in Georgia’s Gilmer County

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release, Technology

(USDA) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Georgia State Director Joyce White announced a $4.4 million investment in high-speed broadband infrastructure. This investment will support the construction of 90 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure in Gilmer County. The service area includes 2,159 households, 25 pre-subscribed businesses, two critical community facilities, an educational facility and 24 pre-subscribed farms, including 22 …