The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed a rule to amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) with a new ‘habitat’ definition. The proposed rule is currently available for …
National FFA Numbers Reach Record Level
The National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization recently announced a record high student membership. National FFA reports that there are more than 760,113 student members, an increase of nearly …
Farmers to Families Program Extended and Expanded
The Farmers to Families Food Box Program recently received an expansion of funding after an announcement from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and President Donald Trump. The additional funding …
Wildfire Assistance from USDA Being Offered to Famers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the department will be offering wildfire assistance to farmers and ranchers. The assistance being provided is designed to help agricultural producers reestablish …
AB 3030 Raises Several Questions for Ag Groups
Assembly Bill 3030 (AB 3030) sets forth ambitious goals for conservation in California. The bill seeks to preserve 30 percent of all water areas as well as 30 percent of …
Pandemic Safety Measures Helped Prepare Operations for Fire Season
Some of the pandemic safety measures that have been adopted over the course of the past five months have helped prepare some agricultural operations for the current fire season. The …
Industry Disappointed That ELS Cotton Not Included in Latest CFAP Expansion
Despite various industry efforts, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has refused to include extra-long staple (ELS) cotton in the latest expansion of commodities covered under the Coronavirus Food Assistance …
Lawmakers Encourage Action on Potato Dispute with Mexico
A group of U.S. Senators is encouraging action to be taken in the potato dispute with Mexico. In a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade …
Application Tips for Limiting Urban Complaints
As AgNet West has reported, a side effect of the COVID-19 social distancing advisories has been an uptick in complaints about agriculture applications. Agriculture Commissioners’ offices are getting calls about …
Lawmakers Encourage Active Enforcement of Dairy Provisions of USMCA
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is encouraging proactive enforcement of dairy provisions set forth in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and …
Conservation at Work: Benefits of Irrigation Water Management
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide valuable assistance for producers looking to improve irrigation water management. NRCS staff can help craft an efficient irrigation plan to maximize the …
USDA NRCS Awards $640,000 to Six in California for Conservation Innovation
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is pleased to announce $640,000 in funding through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). “Congratulations to the University of California Santa Barbara, Resource …
Increased ‘Smelly’ Organic Complaints During Pandemic
Agricultural Commissioner Offices have been busy with both conventional and organic complaints about agricultural applications. When those complaints are about drift or a pesticide in general, county offices are required to take …
Organic Systems Plan Being Considered for Healthy Soils Program
The Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP) is contemplating some changes to the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The panel …