ATHENS, GA – In the upcoming week, growers of small grains around the country will receive survey forms from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2020 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats, and rye. “The small grains industry is an important part of …
2020 State Officer Team Elected
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Florida FFA Association is pleased to announce the election of the 2020-2021 State FFA Officers. Each year, the delegates at the annual state FFA convention elect a team of student officers to lead the organization for the coming year. Serving as a state officer is a distinguished honor held by only eight students each year. State …
Cotton Board Recommends $80 Million Cotton Incorporated Budget to Ag Secretary
(MEMPHIS, Tenn.) – The Cotton Board recently held its 2020 annual meeting. During this virtual meeting, board members serving the Cotton Research and Promotion Program reviewed, analyzed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s 2021 budget of $80 million to the Secretary of Agriculture. This budget recommendation reflects a decrease of over $8 million from 2020. Even with decreased funding, the …
National FFA Organization Names 2020 American Star Finalists
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 …