Proposal deadline for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program extended to November 30 WASHINGTON, October 14, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today re-posted a revised Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) funding announcement, inviting potential conservation partners to submit project proposals for federal funding. NRCS will award up to $360 million to locally driven, public-private partnerships that improve the …
NASDA CEO: Our Expectations for the Next Administration Are Clear
By Dr. Barb Glenn, CEO, NASDA As a non-partisan organization, you might ask yourself why the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) would wade into this very heated political time for Americans. The truth of the matter is that agriculture is not a red or blue issue. Rural communities matter now more than ever, and resiliency for rural …
Virtual Format Set for 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences
The National Cotton Council (NCC) will conduct the 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC) virtually on Jan. 5-7 (Tuesday-Thursday) due to continued concerns regarding COVID-19’s spread. The BWCC, coordinated by the NCC, annually brings together university and USDA researchers, regulatory agencies, extension personnel/agents, consultants, and industry sales/support personnel to exchange information about new products and production/processing systems that can be tailored …
EPA Administrator on Agency Moving Into 21st Century
Due to COVID-19, there have been few opportunities for in-person visits on Capitol Hill the past few months, but Texas farm broadcaster Tony St James spent all last week there as a part of the 4th Annual All Ag, All Day DC Capitol Ag Tour. He met with members of Congress and agricultural industry leaders to discuss various topics. One …
Perdue Tours South Alabama, Northwest Florida Hurricane Sally Damage
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made various stops in South Alabama and Northwest Florida to tour agricultural areas that were damaged by Hurricane Sally. He also hosted a roundtable discussion with local farmers who were impacted. In comments to the media, Perdue said he saw crops that have been cut in half. Perdue was joined by various state legislators …
USDA Seeks Comments on Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Insurance Program
The Department of Agriculture seeks public comments on recommended improvements to the Pasture, Rangeland, Forage Rainfall Index Crop Insurance Program by Nov. 5, 2020. USDA’s Risk Management Agency contracted for an independent evaluation of the program to determine its effectiveness as a risk management tool for livestock producers. RMA Administrator Martin Barbre says, “We want to be sure that the …
EPA Finalizes Interim Rules on Atrazine Use by Farmers
Atrazine is a widely used herbicide that farmers can apply before and after planting to control broadleaf and grassy weeds. It’s used primarily on corn, sorghum and sugarcane, and to a lesser extent, on residential lawns and golf courses. The Environmental Protection Agency released the Interim Registration Review Decision for atrazine, as well as propazine and simazine. With the rule, …
Florida Forest Service Deploys Incident Management Team to Support Hurricane Sally Emergency Response
Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced that the Florida Forest Service has deployed a Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) to the Florida Panhandle for Hurricane Sally, which includes 36 Florida Forest Service personnel. “With historic flooding in Florida’s Panhandle from Hurricane Sally, we have deployed our Incident Management Team and hardworking Florida Forest Service personnel to support …
Farmers, Nursery Growers Can Apply Now For State Coronavirus Assistance
Alabama Farmers Federation By Jeff Helms MONTGOMERY, Ala., Sept. 15 — Alabama farmers and nursery growers negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic may begin applying for financial assistance through two programs administered by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI). The signups are part of the $26 million Alabama Agriculture Stabilization Program (AASP), which was funded with money received …
FDACS Launches COVID-19 Farmworker Safety Video Series as Harvest Season Begins
Videos Follow Last Week’s Launch of Commissioner Fried’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign Tallahassee, Fla. – As the fall harvest season begins, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are launching a nine-part video series created to provide guidance on COVID-19 safety precautions for farmworkers. The videos follow the launch of Commissioner Fried’s farmworker heat illness prevention campaign last week. “Florida’s …