The following statement about COVID-19 and its impact through food or food packaging can be attributed to Acting USDA Secretary Kevin Shea and Acting FDA Commission Janet Woodcock: After more than a year since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a global health emergency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. …
Crop Insurance Town Hall Held by Commissioner Nikki Fried and USDA
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried held a town hall meeting on crop insurance issues at Chipola College in Marianna, Florida. Fried was joined via Zoom by Acting Administrator Richard Flournoy of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and other RMA senior and regional leaders to answer questions from agriculture producers on crop insurance and risk management. Photos/Video: A video recording and high-res …
Georgia Citrus Conference to Be Online
Due to COVID-19, the 2021 Georgia Citrus Association (GCA) Conference will not be held in person. Instead, the GCA is launching a new website and membership platform. This state-of-the-art tool will allow members to view presentations by experts at any time. Topics include weed management, citrus diseases and disorders, testing for diseases, precision agriculture, crop insurance, cold protection and the …
USDA to Survey Planting Intentions
The cold, wet conditions being experienced across the Southeast has many wondering when the 2021 crop production season will ever begin. But with that time nearing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides …
Alabama Row Crop Specialists Share Expertise Virtually
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, scientists with Auburn University’s College of Agriculture and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System continue to share their expertise with Southern row crop production. According to an article written by Paul Hollis with Auburn University, these researchers and specialists, along with others from throughout the nation, usually present their findings from the most recent production season during …
Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection for Farmlands, Grasslands, and Wetlands
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. “Conservation easements are a critical conservation tool helping landowners …
Fried Releases FDACS & Biden Administration Partnership Plan
(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, hosted a press conference announcing the release of the FDACS Biden-Harris Administration Partnership Plan: Keeping Florida & America Growing, a state-federal partnership plan. The plan outlines areas of future collaboration between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, The White House, and federal agencies including the U.S. Departments …
Researchers Help Expand Indoor Gardening Trend Triggered by Pandemic
(UF/IFAS) — COVID-19 led many people to start gardening, and it’s no passing fancy. Recent research shows that about 80% of those who took up gardening since the beginning of COVID-19 will continue the pastime in 2021. Growing in the outdoor garden is one thing. Tending to plants indoors at home presents other challenges and opportunities. As they recognized the …
Bayer’s ThryvOn Technology Moves Forward
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced the deregulation of a cotton variety, designated as MON 88702, otherwise known as ThryvOn Technology. It was developed by the Monsanto Company, which is now owned by Bayer. It uses genetic engineering for resistance to certain insects, primarily tarnished plant bugs. APHIS considered all public …
DeSantis Plan Would Address Climate Impacts
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to spend $25 million next year and more in the coming years to set up a program that would help address coastal flooding and other climate-change impacts across the state. Money for the proposed Resilient Florida grant program would be in addition to $625 million that DeSantis is seeking from lawmakers to continue Everglades …