The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced on June 20 its plans to invest up to $75 million in the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. Details on how to submit proposals are now available on Grants.gov. Click here to view the announcement. The …
USDA Offers Producers Options to Re-enroll or Extend Expiring CRP Contracts
WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA) – Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a one-year contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. FSA’s 52nd signup for …
USDA Opens Signup for Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program Grants
(USDA/NRCS) The Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP) was established by the 2018 Farm Bill to respond to the threat feral swine pose to agriculture, native ecosystems, and human and animal health. USDA is focusing efforts through this pilot where feral swine pose the highest threat. Program at a Glance FSCP is implemented jointly by NRCS and USDA’s Animal and Plant …
Commissioner Fried Statement to Congress on Cannabis Industry & Small Businesses
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) – The U.S. House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on opportunities for small businesses within the cannabis industry. Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried submitted a statement to committee chairwoman U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez for entry into the Congressional Record. Below is the statement in full, which can also be viewed on Twitter. Statement of the Honorable Nicole “Nikki” FriedU.S. House Committee …
NCC on MFP and Ag Appropriations
It was almost four weeks ago that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they would be implementing some $16 billion in programs to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. This includes the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which is currently under review at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The National Cotton Council (NCC) VP of Washington …
USMCA: Trudeau Heads to Washington
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Washington, D.C. this week, as part of an effort to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The trade deal has the least path of resistance in Mexico, where lawmakers are expected to ratify the agreement this month. The trade deal also faces a quick route to passage in Canada, leaving passage in the U.S. …
Jack Payne Announces Retirement
After serving nearly 10 years as the senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), Jack Payne announced he will retire next year. His last day with UF/IFAS will be July 1, 2020. Payne has overseen Extension offices across Florida and its 12 research and education centers since …
House to Vote on Spending Bills
The U.S. House plans to vote soon on a large package of spending bills, including the fiscal 2020 agriculture appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee recently sent the ag spending bill to the full House on a party-line vote. House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee chair, Sanford Bishop of Georgia, talks about the bill’s $24.3 billion in discretionary spending. “The bill provides …
Larkin Martin elected to lead Farm Foundation Board
OAK BROOK , IL (Farm Foundation): Alabama farmer Larkin Martin, CEO of Martin Farm, has been elected Chair of the Farm Foundation Board of Directors. Martin, who will serve a two-year term, succeeds Joe Swedberg of Longmont, CO, a retired executive of Hormel Foods Corporation. “With the nation’s agriculture and food sector facing diverse and complex economic and public policy issues, …
State Task Force Tackles Toxic Algae
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Reducing harmful nutrients in state waters, through moves such as more monitoring and staffing, is an expected short-term goal of a new task force set up by Gov. Ron DeSantis to look at toxic algae fouling Florida waterways. But with a brief timeline for the five-member Blue Green Algae Task Force to reach its initial findings, don’t …