USDA Designates 17 Florida Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

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 operation or the refinance of …

USDA in Georgia Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is requesting proposals to assist with implementing key priorities in the state. Conservation minded organizations, who wish to apply, should demonstrate how they can ensure equity in the delivery and implementation of all NRCS programs and Services. This includes increasing assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry to support producers in building resiliency across …

Alabama Poultry Producers Urged to Practice Strict Bio-Security

There have been various reports the past few weeks about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), mostly in in the Midwest and Northern parts of the country. But none-the-less, the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association is keeping a close eye on these disease reports. Their CEO, Johnny Adams, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman so far it’s not spreading from farm to farm due to good …

Four-Legged Pets Trained to Sniff Out Damaging, Invasive Pests

The four-legged pets trained to sniff out some damaging and invasive pests.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. They may be man’s best friend but they’re also angling to be Agriculture’s best friend.  Detector Canines, trained by the USDA’s PPQ program, are learning how to spot and stop spotted Lanternflies and Japanese beetles before it’s too late. These …

Florida Lawmakers Give DeSantis More Appointment Power

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his successors will have more power over some high-level state appointments under a bill headed to his desk. Without debate, the Florida House on Wednesday voted 77-34, mostly along party lines, to approve a measure (SB 1658) that would increase the governor’s power to appoint the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, the commissioner of …

Florida Legislative Session Headed to Overtime

(NSF) – With a budget remaining unfinished Tuesday night, the annual Florida legislative session is headed to overtime. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, issued a memo shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday that said budget talks would continue Wednesday. Cooling Off Period State law requires a 72-hour “cooling off” period before lawmakers can vote …

NRCS in Georgia Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Sign Up

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced they are accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Producers and landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased …

$215 Million Committed to Enhance the Rural American Food Supply Chain

Department Will Make Available $215 Million for Projects That Will Promote Competition and Increase Resiliency and Create Economic Opportunity in Rural America (USDA/WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2022) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making available up to $215 million in grants and other support to expand meat and poultry processing options, strengthen the food supply …