The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reopened the signup period for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). Farmers and ranchers will have at least 60 days from …
MSOB: Endophytes Act as ‘Vaccine’ in Carrot Study
An ongoing study is showing how endophytes can increase a plant’s ability to defend itself against disease, ultimately hoping to create more efficient biostimulant-type products. Purdue University Associate Professor of Horticulture …
Pandemic Assistance for Producers Initiative to Support Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Socially disadvantaged farmers will be receiving targeted support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). A total of $2 million will be made available through USDA’s …
AB 125 Receiving Support from Multiple Farm Groups
Multiple industry organizations have issued messages of support for AB 125. The legislation is aimed at helping California recover from the pandemic and support food and worker safety. The Equitable …
Ag Groups Largely Support $2 Trillion Infrastructure Package
The infrastructure package announced by President Joe Biden is receiving significant support from the agricultural industry. A total of $2.25 trillion will be invested over eight years through the American …
Supreme Court to Decide Union Access Rules for California Farms
The Supreme Court of the United States recently heard opening arguments about a case involving union access on California farms. At issue is California’s Agricultural Labor Relations Act that was …
American Jobs Plan to Improve Broadband and Water Infrastructure
President Joe Biden recently unveiled the American Jobs Plan to address critical infrastructure needs. The plan calls for $2.25 trillion in investment over eight years. Improvements would be made to …
Dismal Snowpack Survey Reflects Third Driest Year on Record
The latest manual snow survey from the Department of Water Resources (DWR) reflects a dismal snowpack. The April 1 manual snow survey at Phillips Station garnered better results than the …
Pressure is Rising to Reinstate the Organic Animal Welfare Rule
Industry groups and lawmakers are calling for the reinstatement of the organic animal welfare rule. The Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule establishes new animal welfare standards for the …
Conservation Innovation Grant Proposals Being Accepted by NRCS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). Applications for CIG are due by April 23. The competitive grants are …
Water Futures Market May Not Have the Ag Solutions Proponents Suggest
The California water futures market may not be the economic tool that supporters are suggesting. No actual water changes hands through the futures market, but it offers an economic opportunity …
Industry Groups Support Reintroduction of HAULS Act
The Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety Act of 2021, known as the HAULS Act has been reintroduced in Congress. A bipartisan group of senators reintroduced the legislation aimed at …
Report Highlights Concerns About Food System Concentration
Food system concentration was highlighted early-on in the COVID-19 pandemic. Breakdowns in the food supply chain exposed areas that can be improved and emphasized the effects of consolidation within the …
Farm Groups Push for Swift Action on Agriculture Labor from The Senate
The Agriculture Workforce Coalition is calling for action on behalf of the U.S. Senate in regard to agriculture labor. In a letter sent to Senate leadership, the coalition highlights the …