scientific

ARS Announces New Scientific Impact Video Series

Dan Industry News Release

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is pleased to debut a video series highlighting important scientific advances that occurred because of ARS research. This first YouTube video highlights ARS’ role in large-scale commercial production of penicillin. While discovered in England, the ability to mass-produce penicillin occurred in the United States at an ARS lab in Peoria, Illinois. This video showcases one …

crop farmers

The Potential Effects of Increased Demand for U.S. Agricultural Exports on Metro and Nonmetro Employment

Dan Export/Import, Industry News Release

by Steven Zahniser, Tom Hertz, Peter Dixon, and Maureen Rimmer, Economic Research Service What Is the Issue? ERS estimates that U.S. agricultural exports supported about 1.1 million full-time, civilian jobs in 2015. Yet, the economic linkages between U.S. agricultural exports and rural employment are not fully understood, particularly in the metro and nonmetro regions of each State and among production …

food production

USDA to Hold Expert Panel Meeting on Publication of Farm Operator Demographics

Dan Industry News Release

Public Comments Welcomed The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) announces a public meeting of an expert panel to consider questions surrounding publication of farm operator demographic data obtained through the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The panel meeting will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at …

organic certification

Certified Organic Operations Shows Continued Growth

Dan Fruits, Industry News Release, Organic, Vegetables

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new data indicating the organic industry continues to grow domestically and globally, with 24,650 certified organic operations in the United States, and 37,032 around the world. The 2016 count of U.S. certified organic farms and businesses reflects a 13 percent increase between the end of 2015 and 2016, continuing the trend of double …

signconservation easementup

Alabama State Conservationist on RCPP Proposal Deadline

Dan Alabama, Environment, USDA-NRCS

April 21 is the deadline for conservation partners in Alabama to submit pre-proposals for fiscal year 2018 funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is accepting pre-proposals designed to help improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone says RCPP works …

soybeans

USDA Seeks Nominees for the United Soybean Board by May 19th

Dan Industry News Release, Soybeans

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for positions on the United Soybean Board. Vacancies for producer member positions will occur in Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.  There are alternate vacancies in Alabama, South Carolina, and Texas. Any …

nrcs

NRCS Invites Growers to South Florida Farm Tour

Dan Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida invites growers to the South Florida Farm Tour Thursday, April 27, at 4:00 p.m. The tour, being held at Loxahatchee Groves in West Palm Beach, is designed to highlight the benefits of USDA and NRCS Programs for Hispanic Farmers. If you would like to attend please RSVP or notify Ricardo Alvarez, Outreach Specialist, by April 20 …

usda

$21.8 Million to Combat Citrus Disease

Dan Citrus, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $21.8 million in available funding to combat and manage citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB)Huanglongbing (HLB), which has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) Citrus Disease Research and Extension Program (CDRE), …

funding

Funding to Support Disaster Preparedness

Dan Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $462,000 in available funding to decrease the impact of disasters through cooperative extension programming. Funding is made through NIFA’s Smith-Lever Special Needs Competitive Grants Program (SLSNCGP). “There has been an increase in the number and severity of disasters, from tornadoes to acts of terrorism,” said NIFA Director …