New resources have been developed to help simplify the process for businesses looking to sell products and services to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The updates include a “Contracting …
Funding Opportunities Expanded for Specialty Crop Growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced additional funding opportunities for specialty crop growers. USDA’s Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops program is expanding to include medium-sized businesses, in addition …
Collaboration Between Industry and Researchers at the Heart of the Salinas Biological Summit
At the second annual Salinas Biological Summit on June 25-26, industry leaders are making headway on biological inputs as a tool for improving sustainability in agriculture. Biologicals are based on …
Several Factors Contributing to Decreased Agricultural Trade Values
The U.S. is experiencing a significant shift from decades of agricultural trade surpluses to substantial trade deficits, with a projected record deficit of $32 billion for fiscal year 2024. American …
Chevron Deference Overturned by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the Chevron deference rule, which has guided federal regulation for 40 years. This decision arose from a case involving the National Marine Fisheries Service …
Thirty Million Farm Acres Abandoned Since 1986
In 2022, a University of Wisconsin study claimed that U.S. farmers had converted several million acres of pristine grassland and other “semi-natural areas” to cropland. Researcher Tyler Lark said that …
Payroll Costs for California Farmers Increased 244 Percent in 20 Years
Total payroll costs for California farmers have increased dramatically in 20 years. Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension in the Department of Ag and Resource Economics at UC Berkeley, Ali Hill …
Governor Signs Private Attorneys General Act Reform
Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 92 and Assembly Bill 2288 to reform the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). These reforms aim to help workers get fair compensation while …
Wide Range of Beef Prices
There’s a wide range of beef prices for holiday grilling. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. If you love to grill beef at your cookout, you will find …
Allocation Increased for CVP Ag Contractors South-of-Delta
The Bureau of Reclamation announced an increase in water supply allocation for south-of-Delta agricultural contractors in the Central Valley Project (CVP) from 40 percent to 50 percent. North-of-Delta contractors’ allocation …
Funding Available for Composting Projects
Funds available for composting projects. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Those wishing funding for a pilot project focused on localized composting and food waste reduction have until …
Record High Organic Trade Between U.S. and Mexico Last Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that trade in organic products between the U.S. and Mexico reached record highs in 2023. Organic trade between the two countries includes both complementary …
Additional Lawsuits Brought Against EPAs Heavy-Duty Truck Rule
Clean Fuels Alliance America, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and the National Farmers Union (NFU) have filed lawsuits against the EPA over its finalized emissions standards for heavy-duty and light- …
NCBA Calls USDA Proposed Rule “Direct Attack”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new action on the Packers and Stockyards Act (P&S Act). It says the Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets proposed rule would …