by Sabrina Halvorson The specialty crop industry wants farm bill funding for research and new programs, but lawmakers ask, where’s that money coming from? Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers and co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance says it’s hard to say what is the most important of all the priorities for specialty crops in the …
Beagle Brigade Act Gaining Support
by Sabrina Halvorson Support is growing for the Beagle Brigade Act. Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) introduced the bill in the House and says it’s a vital act for agriculture. “It’s an act with a cute name but a very important purpose. The Beagle Brigade Act helps protect America’s food supply from foreign pests from diseases that come in through …
Learn About GMOs with the FDA
There’s a new resource to help consumers learn more about GMOs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Feed Your Mind is an Agricultural Biotechnology Education and Outreach Initiative that was first launched in March 2020 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency …
USMEF Conference Examines Industry Challenges and Opportunities
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held their annual Spring Conference last week in Minneapolis, Minnesota. USMEF senior staff updated members on industry efforts to expand the international footprint for U.S. red meat and bolster demand for underutilized pork, beef and lamb cuts. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom gave an overview of the competitive landscape, identifying and detailing a number of …
Powdery Mildew Confirmed in North Florida Melons
By Clint Thompson Another week of watermelon production in Florida’s Suwannee Valley region, another confirmation of a potentially devastating disease. Fortunately, it appears that producers were ready for powdery mildew disease, says Bob Hochmuth, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) regional specialized Extension agent in Live Oak, Florida. “It is confirmation, sort of like the downy …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Stresses Importance of Pesticide Labels
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition tells us it’s always a good time to check your pesticide’s label. The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectivenessand potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees andother wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why GrowingMatters launched BeSure!, an initiative to support growers and …
Bill Could Help Black Farmers in Florida Get Pot Licenses
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE,FL/May 9, 2023) — Black farmers who didn’t make the cut last year could have another opportunity to vie for medical-marijuana licenses, under a bill approved by lawmakers in the final days of the 2023 legislative session. The bill, which awaits a decision by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is part of years-long efforts aimed at giving Black farmers an entry into …
SNAP Work Requirements in Farm Bill Discussions
As lawmakers continue early work on shaping the 2023 farm bill, one of the bill’s biggest programs continues to create a divide. Nutrition programs account for about 80 percent of the farm bill, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the largest food assistance program administered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lawmakers on both sides of the …
USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions across U.S. as Part of Broader Effort to Implement the Inflation Reduction Act
(USDA-NRCS/WASHINGTON/May 5, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. For example, NRCS opened job announcements this week for soil conservationists. This batch of job openings is part of a broader effort …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Helps Protect Pollinators This Spring
Spring is a vital time for protecting pollinators. and the BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition helps growers keep these important insects protected. The coalition says when choosing crop protection tools, both effectivenessand potential impact on the environment must be considered. Protecting bees andother wildlife is a major part of good stewardship practices and is why GrowingMatters launched BeSure!, an initiative …