USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement this week. “It’s an exciting opportunity for us to talk about farmers, ranchers, and producers who are on the frontlines of climate change, feeling the impacts on a daily basis,” …
U.S. Corn, Soybean, and Cotton Production Down from 2021
(USDA-NASS/WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2022) — Corn, soybean, and cotton production is down from 2021, according to the Crop Production report issued today by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is down 8% from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their production 1% from 2021, forecast at 4.38 billion bushels; cotton production …
A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm Hosted Mental Health Training in Troy
(ADAI/TROY, AL) — Leaders from several organizations across the state of Alabama participated in a QPR, (Question, Persuade, Refer) training hosted by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). The trainings are a vital part of the A Healthy You, A Healthy Farm initiative. The Alabama Department of Mental Health, an essential partner in this initiative, is assisting in …
USDA Awards Grants to Further Strengthen Meat and Poultry Supply Chains
(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 31, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced an additional $21.9 million of funding is being awarded to 111 grant projects through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program (MPIRG), bringing total funding to $54.6 million. This year’s awards will fund projects in 37 states. The funding will help strengthen and develop …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Local Work Group Meetings
Soil and Water Conservation Districts and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia join forces each year to host local work group meetings. During these meetings, local input is gathered from agricultural producers, private forestland managers, conservation organizations and natural resource agencies to help identify and prioritize the natural resource concerns most important for the area. The local …
Still Time to Respond to Conservation Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers there is still time to respond to the Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey over the coming weeks. In late May, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the survey to nearly 2,700 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. A joint project between NASS and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), …
Two Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(USDA/FSA/WASHINGTON, D.C./August 25, 2022) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming …
Alachua County, Florida, Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Area
(USDA/FSA/WASHINGTON, D.C./August 25, 2022) — This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming …
USDA Investing in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program in Georgia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this month it is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). This grant program supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits and other organizations. Since 2016, USDA’s Natural Resources …
USDA Boosting Conservation on Grazing Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until September 22, 2022. NRCS Associate Chief Louis Aspey talks about the various partners, …