National FFA Organization Names 2020 American Star Finalists INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, Aug. 10, 2020/National FFA Organization) –The National FFA Organization selected 16 students from throughout the United States as finalists for its 2020 top achievement awards: American Star Farmer, American Star in Agribusiness, American Star in Agricultural Placement and American Star in Agriscience. The American Star Awards represent the best of …
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
WASHINGTON, August 10, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for eligible certification expenses paid between Oct. 1, 2019, and Sept. 30, 2020, are due Oct. 31, 2020. “For producers producing food …
NRCS Investing Up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced it will be investing up to $360 million in partner-driven conservation through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS invites potential conservation partners to submit project applications for federal funding. Dollars will be awarded to locally-driven, public-private partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat …
Commissioner Fried to USDA Secretary: Expand CFAP to Include More Commodities
Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried wrote to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on Tuesday, once again asking the USDA to expand eligibility for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to include additional agricultural commodities. On July 9, the USDA announced expanded CFAP eligibility that included many impacted Florida crops, but aquaculture and horticulture commodities were not …
Commissioner Fried Announces Second Phase of Improvements to Prescribed Burning Program
Tallahassee, Fla.– Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Forest Service announced today a second phase of major enhancements to the prescribed burning program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Prescribed burning in Florida is a national model for successfully managing statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled, carefully managed prescribed fire. A scientifically sound …
Georgia Produce Safety Program Still Helping Growers
Due to travel restrictions from COVID-19, the Georgia Department of Agriculture Produce Safety Program suspended its Grower Training Classes for now. But it is still available to help growers with a variety of information. Produce Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator, Maggie Brown, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are doing inspections and have started offering their On Farm Readiness Reviews …
New On-Line System Available for Consumers to Report Unsolicited Seed Packages from China
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) continues to collect reports from citizens who received unsolicited packages from China containing seeds. ADAI has established an on-line reporting system for Alabama residents who received suspicious seeds they did not order. Please visit www.agi.alabama.gov/reportseeds and provide the requested information. At the end of the on-line form, consumers will …
Task Force Introduces New Beef Industry Long Range Plan
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) summer business meeting continues today in Colorado. On Tuesday, the Beef Industry Long Range Plan task force officially introduced its new five-year plan for 2021-2025. The task force’s mission is to ensure the long-term prosperity of the U.S. beef industry by sustainably producing the most trusted, highest quality and consistently satisfying protein for consumers …
UPDATE: FDACS Asking Floridians to Report Suspicious Seed Packets from China
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) continues to warn Floridians about unsolicited packages of seeds received through the mail. The seed packets, which may arrive unexpectedly in packages bearing Chinese characters, may bear the name China Post, and may be labeled as jewelry, have been reported in multiple states including Virginia, Kansas, Washington, Oklahoma, …
Study Quantifies Value of Red Meat Exports to U.S. Corn, Soybeans
Since 2015, indirect exports of corn and soybeans through beef and pork exports has been the fastest-growing category of corn and soybean use, delivering critical returns for corn and soybean farmers. These producers support the international promotion of U.S. beef, pork and lamb by investing a portion of their checkoff dollars in market development efforts conducted by the U.S. Meat …