The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) has been updated to provide additional assistance to farmers and ranchers. CFAP changes include an expansion of eligibility as well as updated payment levels. …
USDA Announces Hemp Final Rule, Formalizing Regulatory Requirements
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the formal requirements for hemp production in the United States. The hemp final rule largely reflects the interim final rule that was …
Dr. Jewel Bronaugh Nominated for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Jewel Bronaugh to serve as the next Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Bronaugh currently serves as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer …
Deadline for CFBF Scholarship Applications Coming Up February 1
The deadline to submit an application for scholarship opportunities through the California Farm Bureau Scholarship Foundation is coming up soon. A total of 40 scholarships were awarded last year to students all …
Industry Call for Produce Safety Research Funding
A food safety group is seeking funding to improve produce safety research and already has a third of the funds raised. The Center for Produce Safety (CPS) has started a new capital fundraising …
MSOB: Entomopathogenic Fungi in a Rotational Program
Entomopathogenic fungi can be an intricate piece of an effective pest management system and in some cases a cheaper one as well. This week’s Making Sense of Biologicals (MSOB) program …
DOL Issues Final Rule for H-2A Certification Program
A final rule was recently issued that will update the H-2A certification program. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced the amendments on January 15. The announcement comes after extensive …
FARMER Program Receives Significant Support in Budget Proposal
The Funding Agricultural Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions program, known simply as the FARMER program is set to receive significant state support. The $227 billion budget recently proposed by Governor …
Innovation Strategy Report to Guide USDA Research Moving Forward
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released its U.S. Agriculture Innovation Strategy Directional Vision for Research summary and dashboard. USDA will use the information from the summary report as …
USDA Urged to Prioritize Agricultural Worker Safety
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is being encouraged to focus on agricultural worker safety moving forward. A group of more than 70 lawmakers is urging USDA to focus on …
Key PPP Changes in Most Recent COVID Relief Package
Some key changes were made to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the most recent COVID relief package. The relief bill includes $284 billion for another round of PPP loans. …
Industry Input Encouraged for Shifting Animal Biotech Oversight to USDA
The proposal to move some regulatory authority for animal biotech to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is receiving significant support. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has been the regulating …
CDFA Looking for Proposals for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting proposals for the Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP). Since it was first formed back in 1990, FREP has …
MSOB: Worms in Space, How Nematodes Might Help Space Exploration
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have recently sent beneficial nematodes on an interstellar expedition. With more and longer space travel in the foreseeable future, the project aimed to …