(Atlanta, GA/GDA/June 14, 2022) — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is alerting commercial and backyard citrus growers that citrus canker has been found in the state. Late last week, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA APHIS PPQ) laboratory confirmed a suspected sample from a commercial citrus grove in Decatur County was citrus canker. “Citrus canker is …
Eight Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(WASHINGTON, DC/USDA FSA/June 3, 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 …
Vilsack on Food Systems in Farm Bill
While announcing more funding intended to help the nation’s food supply chain and transform the food system, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration views the next farm bill as a critical opportunity to advance the discussion of a transformed food system. “A vision that includes a fair and more competitive food system consistent with access to safe, healthy, nutritious, and …
Commissioner Fried Launches FDACS Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative
(Tallahassee, FL/June 3, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) launched the Department’s Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative at Wish Farms, one of America’s largest berry producers, which has prioritized investments in the mental health and well-being of its staff. Commissioner Fried was joined for this announcement by State Attorney Andrew Warren as well as representatives with Florida 211 and the University …
USDA to Gather Information about Adoption of Conservation Practices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they will be gathering information about the adoption of conservation practices across the Southeast. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is mailing the Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey this week to nearly 2,700 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The new survey is a joint project between NASS and USDA’s Natural …
Commissioner Fried Announces Launch of FDACS Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative
(Tallahassee, FL/May 24, 2022) — With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried announced today the launch of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative. The formal launch will take place next week at an event at Wish Farms in Plant City on June 2nd at 9am where FDACS will premiere several videos that will …
Questions About Carbon Markets Remain
There are still a lot of questions when it comes to carbon markets. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. The international World Economic Forum is underway this week in Switzerland. More than 2,500 people are attending, including political leaders, business heads, and more. There’s a big focus this year on agriculture-related topics. University of California, San Diego, professor David Victor …
USDA Seeking Producer Feedback about 2022 Crops
Over the next few weeks, the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. NASS will contact nearly 5,000 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2022. “The June Agricultural Survey and the June Area …
Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day to be Held in July
It has been announced that the 2022 Sunbelt Ag Expo Field Day will be held July 21 in Moultrie, Ga. Farmers from across the Southeast are invited to learn practical information from the region’s top agricultural scientists about the newest technologies that can be used to improve your operation. The half-day driving tour event is free for anyone who works in …
House COVID Subcommittee Report Makes Accusations Against Meatpackers
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis released a report Thursday that says “meatpacking companies engaged Trump Administration political appointees in an aggressive campaign to force workers to remain in dangerous plants with high risk of coronavirus transmission.” The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC), who released the following statement with the report: “The Select Subcommittee’s …