The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $1.7 million in funding to build research capacity at land-grant tribal colleges and universities. Funding is made through NIFA’s Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP). “1994 land-grant universities represent a critically important part of our nation’s construct of academic institutions providing the leadership to address nutritional security …
USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2017
What is on the horizon for U.S. farmers in 2017 as they finalize plans for planting this spring? The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 84,000 of the nation’s farmers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.
Notice of Availability of Proposed Changes to the National Poultry Improvement Plan Program Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) invites the public to review and comment on proposed changes to the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) Program Standards. The proposed updates would amend the Program Standards by establishing new biosecurity principles and updating some testing procedures.
USDA Seeks Local Food Grant Reviewers
Applications for Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program and Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it is seeking reviewers to evaluate grant applications for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) and the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP). Local food grants strengthen America’s rural communities by supporting direct …
USDA Reminds Individuals and Small Businesses in Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi that USDA Offers Disaster Assistance Programs to Help
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses that could potentially be affected by the recent storms that USDA has several programs that provide assistance before, during and after disasters. USDA staff in the regional, State and county offices in the states of Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi are ready to help. USDA encourages residents …
Scientists Give Old Elm Tree a High-Tech Helping Hand
By Jan Suszkiw, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) In front of the city hall building in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, there’s a weathered old elm tree that’s seen more than 200 years of American history. Throughout those centuries, it has withstood bouts of Dutch elm disease and poundings from brutal storms like 2012’s Hurricane Sandy. This winter, U.S. Department of Agriculture …
40 Percent of Farms Managed by Multiple Operators
New data released last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows nearly 40 percent of all U.S. farms are managed by more than one operator. USDA’s Economic Research Service says in 2015, 39 percent of the more than 800,000 U.S. farms had secondary operators.
Net Farm Cash Income Down in 2016
Tyron Spearman takes a look at the highlights from the USDA Net Farm Income report which has recently been released.
Three Named as USDA Deputy Secretary Candidates
The list of candidates to serve as Deputy Agriculture Secretary boast familiar names to the Donald Trump administration. The Hagstrom Report says the list includes Charles Herbster, A.G. Kawamura (Cow-uh-more-uh) and Ted McKinney.
December U.S. Meat Production Hits Record
Red meat production in the United Stated totaled 4.4 billion pounds last month, up three percent from December of 2015, according to The Department of Agriculture.