2020-21 National FFA Officer Team Elected

Dan Education, Georgia, Industry News Release

(National FFA Organization) — Students from Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois and Missouri were elected by National FFA Delegates to serve as 2020-21 National FFA Officers. These members were selected from 38 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates take part in an extensive online interview process with the National FFA Officer Nominating Committee leading up to the selection. The new …

Dicamba Approved for Over-the-Top Use

Dan Cotton, Environment, Industry News Release, Soybeans

(GAC) — On Tuesday, October 27, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler joined members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation, Ag Commissioner Gary Black, and dozens of farmers and agriculture organizations on the farm of Lee Cromley in Bulloch County to announce the agency will approve three dicamba formulations for over-the-top use for cotton and soybeans. Members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council …

EPA Announces 2020 Dicamba Registration Decision

Clint Thompson Alabama, Cotton, Florida, Georgia, Soybeans

Contact Information:  EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov) Brooklet, Ga. (October 27, 2020) — At the Cromley Farm, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced that the EPA is approving new five-year registrations for two dicamba products and extending the registration of an additional dicamba product. All three registrations include new control measures to ensure these products can be used effectively …

Commissioner Fried Comments on Florida Request to Assume EPA Responsibilities on Clean Water Act

Dan Florida, Industry News Release, Water

(FDACS) — On the final day of virtual public hearings on the state of Florida’s request to assume the administration of the Clean Water Act’s Section 404 program from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Commissioner Nikki Fried, an independently-elected member of the Florida Cabinet, offered the following: “Just before an election, the DeSantis administration is furthering their relentless drive to consolidate power, seizing authority from the federal government and …

Franklin Middle School FFA of Georgia Named 2020 Middle School Model of Excellence Winner

Dan Education, Georgia, Industry News Release

(National FFA Organization) — Franklin Middle School FFA of Georgia has been named the 2020 Middle School Model of Excellence winner during the 93rd National FFA Convention & Expo, being held virtually this year. The National Chapter Award program recognizes outstanding FFA chapters that actively implement the organization’s mission and strategies. These chapters improve their operations using the National Quality …

New Rule Makes Enhancements to Environmental Quality Incentives Program

Dan Environment, Industry News Release, USDA-NRCS

(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The rule updates USDA’s flagship program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and integrates feedback from agricultural producers and others.  “This final rule enables us to continue helping producers manage their land in the most beneficial ways possible,” said Kevin Norton, acting Chief of USDA’s …

Trump Administration Invests in High-Speed Broadband in Rural Alabama

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Technology, USDA

ReConnect Funding to Connect 11,163 Rural Households to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (USDA/RD) — The Trump Administration announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $37 million to provide broadband service in unserved and underserved rural areas in Alabama. This investment is part of the $550 million Congress allocated to the second round of the ReConnect Program. “Access to …

USDA Offers Secure New Options for Signing, Sharing Documents Online

Dan General, USDA-NRCS

Farmers and ranchers working with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA) can now sign and share documents online in just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure, and available for multiple NRCS and FSA programs. Box is a secure, cloud-based site …

Foundation Applications Open For Hurricane Sally Assistance

Dan Alabama, Economy, Industry News Release

The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation (AFAF) is accepting applications through Nov. 30 from farmers who suffered losses related to Hurricane Sally.  AFAF and Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said the Foundation established a Hurricane Sally Relief Fund last month in response to calls from farmers and businesses who wanted to help their south Alabama neighbors.  “When disaster strikes, I am always …

UGA Closes Tifton Dairy Research Center

Clint Thompson Dairy, Georgia

From the Georgia Milk Producers According to the Georgia Farm Bureau, after several years of battling low milk prices, changes in administrators and recent state budget cuts from COVID-19, the vacuum pumps at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Dairy Research Center were permanently turned off on Sept. 4, Georgia Milk Producers reported in its September Georgia Milk Review. Since …