The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, announced this week the protection of over 2,000 acres of Florida ranchland through the department’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. In an exclusive interview with Southeast AgNet, Commissioner Simpson shares more about the important role that ranching plays in Florida conservation. Following “approval by the Governor and Cabinet, …
USDA to Conduct the 2023 Census of Aquaculture
(USDA-NASS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 4, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced that starting Dec. 18 they will mail the 2023 Census of Aquaculture to all producers who indicated in their 2022 Census of Agriculture that they produce and sell aquaculture products. The deadline to respond is Jan. 15, 2024. An ag census special study, the …
Florida Ag Commissioner Issues Statement Ahead of Rural and Family Lands Protection Program’s Final Ranking Meeting
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 17, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement ahead of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program’s final public meeting scheduled for Monday, November 20, in Tallahassee to create a ranked list of agricultural lands eligible for protection: “First, and most importantly, every single property on this list would be a tremendous asset to the …
Additional Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(GDA/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 16, 2023) — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued a natural disaster declaration for five counties located in Southwest and Northeast Georgia following a sustained period of drought, adding to the fifteen Northwest Georgia Counties already declared primary natural disaster areas in recent weeks. Impacted counties include Decatur, Early, Miller, Seminole, and Union, which have sustained eight or …
North Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following Recent Drought
(GDAC/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 10, 2023) — United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has issued a natural disaster declaration for 11 Georgia counties following a sustained period of drought, adding to the four Northwest Georgia Counties already declared primary natural disaster areas last week. Impacted counties include Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Floyd, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens, and Whitfield, which have sustained eight …
New USDA Investment in Specialty Crop Research
USDA is investing $70.2 million in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to support nearly two dozen research and Extension projects. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced the funding on a call with reporters and described the kinds of projects that will be funded. “The awarded projects addressed key challenges of national, regional and multi state importance to the food …
Farmer Sentiment Rises in Latest Ag Economy Barometer
The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose four points in October to 110. The modest improvement in farmer sentiment resulted from farmers’ improved perspective on current conditions on their farms as well as their expectations for the future. The Index of Current Conditions rose three points to 101, while the Index of Future Expectations rose five points to 114. …
Northwest Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(GDAC/Atlanta, GA/Nov. 6, 2023) — For the first time in four years, Georgia has been impacted by extreme drought conditions, negatively impacting our state’s agricultural industry. Last week, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary (USDA) Tom Vilsack issued a natural disaster declaration for four Georgia counties for following a sustained period of drought. Impacted counties include Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker, which have sustained …
Florida NRCS Holding CSP Webinar November 6
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a virtual workshop and overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners on Monday, November 6, 2023. CSP is a unique program that offers additional conservation and financial opportunities. Florida CSP funding for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) was increased to $15.5 million. There will be two …
GPC Announces Plans for 47th Annual Farm Show
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) reminds growers and industry leaders to mark their calendars for next year’s Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 18, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The show is free and open to all producers and industry …