A chance for farmers to improve viability. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. American Farmland Trust has opened applications for 2023’s Brighter Future Fund Program. It helps farmers nationwide improve farm viability, access, transfer, or permanently protect farmland or adopt regenerative agricultural practices. The last day to submit applications is July 15. The Brighter Future Fund provides grants …
Farmer Sentiment Rebounds on Future Optimism
Purdue University/CME Group’s Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 17 points in June to a reading of 121. The upswing in farmer sentiment was driven by producers’ more optimistic view of the future. However, their perception of current conditions remained unchanged from May. The Index of Future Expectations rose 25 points to 123, while the Index of Current Conditions held flat …
Georgia Counties As Primary Natural Disaster Areas Following March Freezes
(GDA/Atlanta, GA/June 27, 2023) — Yesterday, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a natural disaster declaration for numerous Georgia counties following the untimely March freezes that caused significant damage to Georgia’s peach crop as well as other commodities. This declaration allows USDA’s Farm Service Agency to extend essential emergency credit to Georgia farmers and follows a months’ …
USDA Reminds Producers to File Crop Acreage Reports by July 17
A deadline reminder for crop producers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after planting should make an appointment with their local USDA office before the applicable deadline, which for many places and crops is July 17. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also reminds producers with login access …
DeSantis Axes $510 Million from Florida Record State Budget
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis trimmed $510.9 million from a record-high state spending plan signed Thursday, with nearly one-fifth of the cuts coming from a single program designed to keep swaths of rural property from commercial and residential development. While DeSantis didn’t give any explanation for projects he slashed for the fiscal year that begins July 1, …
USDA to Invest $3 Million to Support Cooperative Soil Science and Soil Survey Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to invest $3 million in partnerships to promote research that informs and improves soil surveys at the regional level. This is part of an ongoing effort to continue to provide critical data. Proposals from institutions of higher education in the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network should be submitted to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
Congressman Says Mexico is Too Late to Change USMCA Terms
by Sabrina Halvorson If Mexico’s president wanted to restrict GMO corn from the U.S., the time to do that was more than three years ago, before he agreed to the terms of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). That’s the sentiment of Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan (D-MI-08). “Our view is there’s nothing in the USMCA that gives him the authority to …
President Testifies Before Congress on State of the Livestock Industry
Last month, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson testified before the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. The second-generation cattle producer from South Dakota, highlighted stronger market conditions in the cattle industry and discussed new challenges facing farmers and ranchers from burdensome regulations and inflation. “Many of you have said it before, and I wholeheartedly agree, food …
IFPA Wants Equity in Farm Bill
by Sabrina Halvorson The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) wants to see more funding for specialty crops in the farm bill. In an interview, IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations, Rebeckah Adcock pointed out the differences in funding for things like fresh produce versus row crops. “All parts of agriculture are important. But since USDA says fruits and vegetables …
Farm Bill Stakeholder Feedback Portal Closes June 16
An integral part of the Farm Bill process is soliciting feedback from farmers, ranchers, foresters, producers, processors, and consumers. Over the last several months, the House Committee on Agriculture has been soliciting feedback for the 2023 reauthorization. And here’s a reminder out of Washington D.C. that the deadline to submit stakeholder feedback is Friday, June 16. To submit comments on the 2023 …