(USDA/WASHINGTON, September 18, 2023)Â — U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack today sent letters to 16 governors emphasizing the over $12 billion disparity in funding between land-grant Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their non-HBCU land-grant peers in their states. The 16 governors receiving the letter are: There are HBCU land-grant institutions in …
USDA Unveils Efforts to Streamline Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is streamlining its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to ultimately better help agricultural producers and private landowners conserve wetlands, productive farmlands and at-risk grasslands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is rolling out several improvements to the program, which has more than 5 million acres of land enrolled, in response to feedback from producers, landowners and conservation partners. …
Critics View FL Legislation as Potentially Harmful to Wetlands and Everglades Restoration Efforts
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/June 15, 2023) — Senate leaders weren’t going to let a year-old outburst aimed at state lawmakers go unaddressed. VoteWater, a Treasure Coast group focused on political issues related to restoring the Everglades, is raising cane over the Senate this spring not confirming the reappointment of South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch. “Few people in …
Florida USDA NRCS Seeks Proposals for Innovative Approaches to Urban Agriculture
Up to $1 million will be invested in Conservation Innovation Grants (NRCS-FL/GAINESVILLE, FL/May 9, 2023) — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida will invest up to $1,000,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for urban agriculture, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and soil health. The deadline to submit a proposal for this CIG grant funding opportunity …
House Agriculture Committee Announces Subcommittee Chairs
House Agriculture Chairman Glenn GT Thompson recently announced subcommittee Chairs and jurisdictions for the 118th Congress. The Pennsylvania Republican says of the subcommittee chairs. “I’m excited to welcome this talented slate of subcommittee Chairs for the 118th Congress. Their expertise and partnership are essential to fulfilling this Committee’s mandate of delivering certainty and prosperity to American agriculture and its entire value …
Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
World’s First Agriculture-Focused Satellite Launches
The first of seven satellites for agriculture launched into space Tuesday by SpaceX. Built by Dragonfly Aerospace, the satellite is part of the Transporter-6 mission for customer EOS Data Analytics. The remaining six satellites of the constellation will be deployed over the next three years. The EOS Data Analytics project is the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite constellation providing the industry …
Applications Open for Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program
Applications are open for Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Alltech recently announced applications are now open for the Women in Food & Agriculture Mentorship Program. Now in its third year, the free-to-join program matches applicants based on their preferences, which can include gender of mentor, areas of expertise, language, and …
Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried Shares USDA Disaster Assistance Programs for Agricultural Producers, Urges Early Reporting of Losses
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/Sep 30, 2022) — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is sharing important resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assist Florida agricultural producers who suffered losses due to the storm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by Hurricane Ian that USDA has multiple programs to provide assistance in the wake of …
USDA NASS Reviewing Acreage Information
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announced this week the agency is reviewing all available acreage data for select crops. NASS will review planted and harvested acreage for chickpeas, corn, cotton, dry edible peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets, in preparation for the September Crop Production report, which comes out Monday, September 12th. The reviewed information includes survey …