Earlier this month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agriculture, addressing invasive species and …
Agriculture Coalition Letter to Senate on Farm Labor
The Agriculture Workforce Coalition is calling on the Senate to pass an agriculture workforce reform bill this Congress. The coalition sent a letter to Senate leaders this week, which was signed by dozens of agricultural organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, the International Fresh Produce Association, the National Farmers Union, and several associations from states where ag labor is …
House Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing on Hemp
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing Thursday to get a closer look at USDA’s Hemp Production Program in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill. Subcommittee chair Stacey Plaskett explained some of the history of hemp regulations in her opening statement. “Until recently, the hemp industry was outlawed due to restrictions put in place by …
House Agriculture Hearing on Credit for Farmers
The House Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing titled “A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: The State of Credit for Young, Beginning, and Underserved Producers.” During his opening statement, chairman David Scott of Georgia said those producers face difficulties in obtaining credit that our more seasoned and established producers may not encounter. “Historically, these groups of producers tend to …
Florida Agriculture Community to Complete Federal Farm Bill Feedback Survey
(FDACS/Tallahassee, FL/July 15, 2022) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is encouraging Florida’s producers, stakeholders in food and nutrition fields, and consumers to complete the U.S. House Agriculture Committee 2023 Farm Bill online feedback survey. Providing feedback is essential to inform federal representatives of the needs and interests of Florida’s agricultural community as Congress looks to enact major policies that will drive the food and nutrition systems for years to …
GCC Event to Educate Students About Cotton, Agriculture
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission’s (GCC) Live Exploration: Georgia Cotton event will educate students about cotton and its impact on Georgia’s economy. It will also enlighten some about a potential future career in agriculture, says Caroline Gentry, an education and outreach specialist at GCC. “There’s so many opportunities out there that kids don’t even think about from sales …
Florida Agriculture Included in State Budget
The 2022 Florida Legislative Session wrapped up last week when lawmakers passed the $112.1 billion budget for next fiscal year. Looking at some of the ways that relates to agriculture, in her final legislative report for the session Mary Ann Hooks, director of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Government Affairs, noted they did exceptionally well and they are thrilled to …
American Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021
According to the final 2021 trade data published this morning by the U.S. Department of Commerce, exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record set in 2014 by 14.6 percent. “These record-breaking trade numbers demonstrate that U.S. agriculture is incredibly resilient as it …
Agricultural Water Use Changes Proposed
Taylor Langford O’Bannon, food safety Extension agent for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), shared information on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed changes to the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule. The changes pertain specifically to Subpart E (Agricultural Water). “The proposed changes, if finalized, will replace the pre-harvest microbial quality criteria and testing …
Lower U.S. Agricultural Export Forecast
According to a new USDA forecast, prospects for U.S. agricultural export values in this new fiscal year, which started October 1st, are good. But, they are not as good as they seemed a few months ago. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer reviews the new forecast. Meyer explains why the reductions were made. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle …