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 …
Additional Assistance for Farm Loan Borrowers
There’s more assistance on the way for some farm loan borrowers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced, on May 1, 2023 (see below News Release), that nearly $130 million in additional, automatic financial assistance has been obligated for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial …
Mark Your Calendar: GCC to Host Mid-Year Meeting
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) encourages producers to mark their calendars for its inaugural mid-year meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 26 at the Nesmith-Lane Conference Center in Statesboro, Georgia. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested to help with meal plans. Register online at https://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ce/conferences/georgia-cotton-commissions-mid-year-meeting/ or call the commission’s office at (478) 988-4235. Taylor Sills, …
Growing Matters: BeSure! Campaign Offers Tips for Stewardship
The BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition offers tips for growers tohelp protect pollinators. 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 applicators inaccomplishing this important goal. Growing Matters …
Be Sure Campaign Marks Fifth Anniversary
There’s a campaign to help growers “be sure” about their stewardship. The Be Sure campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition is marking its fifth anniversary. Growing Matters is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to scientific discourse on the stewardship, benefits and alternatives of neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. The joint effort is led by Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A. LLC , BASF Agricultural Solutions and Mitsui Chemicals Agro, …
Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Open to Public
You can be part of the process of creating new dietary guidelines. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Agriculture (USDA) will host the second full meeting of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee on May 10, 2023. The meeting will be livestreamed for public viewing. Members of the …
NPPC Urges Quick Passage of the Beagle Brigade Act
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging quick passage of the Beagle Brigade Act of 2023. The Act, H.R. 1480 and S.759, was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate. The legislation would provide permanent authorization for the USDA’s National Detector Dog Training Center. NPPC notes this is important as safe and reliable food production is critical to …
GCC Wants to Hear from Producers About Future Research Ideas
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) research funding of $740,609 for the 2024 season is focused on helping the state’s producers remain sustainable now and into the future. But the GCC would like to hear from farmers about potential research ideas that may not necessarily be on the commission’s radar. Taylor Sills, GCC executive director, invites farmers to …