farms

Ten Percent Fewer U.S. Farms From 2012-2022

The 2022 Census of Agriculture showed the U.S. had 1,900,487 farms, down from over 2,100,000 in 2012. That represented a ten percent drop, or 208,816 farms, in ten years.  The Census of Ag is conducted every five years, and the last two five-year periods saw the number of farms decrease in all four farm size categories from 2012-2017. The smallest …

Florida

FDACS Accepting Applications for RFLPP

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced that applications are now being accepted from landowners for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The program partners with farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida’s economy and produce our food and fiber. “Florida’s working agricultural lands are not just fields …

conservation

Deadline Nearing for Input on Climate Benefits of Conservation Practice Standards

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been accepting public input on how to improve conservation practice standards to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. But if you have yet to provide input, it is due by December 23, 2024.  Conservation practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing NRCS conservation programs popular with producers, …

Congress Advances Farm Bill Extension and Aid Package

Congress is working to finalize a year-end government funding package that includes a one-year extension of the farm bill and billions of dollars in economic and disaster assistance. This bipartisan move aims to address challenges in the declining farm economy and support agricultural communities recovering from recent natural disasters. The proposed package, titled the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief …

Supreme Court

Almost All U.S. Farms are Family-Owned

The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) 2024 edition of America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance says most U.S. farms (86 percent) are small family farms. These farms operate on 41 percent of U.S. agricultural land and account for 17 percent of the total value of American production. Large-scale family farms accounted for 48 percent of the total value of production and 31 percent …

governor

Governor, Cabinet Approve Protection of Over 62,000 Acres of Working Florida Farms, Ranches

Historic Vote Boosts Preservation Inventory by 50%, Protecting Florida’s Agricultural Future (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Dec. 17, 2024) — The Governor and Cabinet, sitting as the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, approved the preservation of over 62,000 acres of working Florida farms and ranches through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. The …

preservation

FDACS Announces Preservation of Two Florida Family Farms

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of two Florida farms through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). Adams Farm, a 1,687-acre farm located in Walton and Holmes counties, and Triple S Ranch, an 806-acre farm in Citrus County, are being preserved through rural lands protection easements for $2,275,200 and $3,392,000. Adams Farms, Inc. is a …

replant payments

USDA to Enhance Support for Farmers with Increased Replant Payments

The USDA is bolstering support for farmers facing crop setbacks by announcing an increase in replant payments for most producers beginning with the 2026 crop year. This initiative aims to provide financial assistance to farmers who need to replant insured crops damaged by early insurable causes of loss.  The enhancement in replant payments underscores the Risk Management Agency’s (RMA) commitment …

Hurricane Helene Block Grant

Recap of 2024 U.S. Hurricane Season

Hurricane season officially ended on November 30th, but looking back at the 2024 season, it appears to be one of the most destructive years regarding hurricanes making landfall in the mainland United States. When it comes to agriculture, while various crops were damaged by the storms, the livestock industry also suffered. Everything from losses of livestock and poultry, to downed …

federal

New Federal Order Announced by USDA

Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza (USDA-APHIS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 6, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of …