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 …
Chinese Purchasing Appears Strong Despite Tensions
Over the past ten days Chinese purchasing of multiple U.S. agricultural goods has created some optimism within the industry. Specifically, purchases of American sorghum and soybeans have picked up considerably. …
Project Applications Being Accepted for National RCPP
A total of $360 million in federal funding is being made available to potential conservation partners. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications …
Industry Members Encouraged to Engage on SB 1383
Senate Bill 1383 is currently being considered in the California Assembly. The bill seeks to expand the reach of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Employers with as few as …
USDA’s Food Box Program Receives Another Adjustment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended the parameters for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) originally specified that contracts would only be …
UTV Replacement Applications Being Accepted
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) has reopened the application window for the Zero-Emission Ag Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) Voucher program. The program provides monetary incentives for …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Variations of Mating Disruption Under Biopesticides
Mating disruption and pheromone use are examples of biochemicals that fall under the category of biopesticides. Most growers are familiar with at least one way those products are applied, but …
Organic Certification Assistance Changes for 2020
Federal assistance for organic certification is open, but there is a decrease in funding caps for this season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the application period for its Organic Certification Cost …
CFAP Deadline Extended; More Commodities Added
Another group of commodities has been added to those covered under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also announced that the CFAP deadline has …
Pandemic Aid Concerns Raised by Lawmakers and Industry Members
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has been receiving pandemic aid input from lawmakers and agricultural industry members alike. Various lawmakers have pointed out specific shortfalls of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program …
Soil Health Case Studies Provide Growers with Valuable Insight
A series of soil health case studies have been produced through a partnership between American Farmland Trust (AFT) and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Through a Conservation Innovation Grant, the …
USDA Offers Extensions and Deferrals Due to Coronavirus Hardships
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering assistance to the industry for those experiencing coronavirus hardships. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing extended deadlines for payments. The Farm …
Officials to Review Phase One Trade Agreement with China
Multiple reports have indicated that officials from the United States and China will be meeting soon to review the phase one trade agreement’s progress. The terms of the trade deal …