…an increase of nearly 66 percent. According to an economist with the Kansas City Federal Reserve, government payments could represent up to 40 percent of farm income for 2020. If…
Plans Outlined to Support American Producers of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Federal agencies have outlined plans to help protect American producers from threats created by foreign imports of fresh fruits and vegetables. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the…
USDA Revises Conservation Provisions for Highly Erodible Lands and Wetlands
…The final rule was published in the Federal Register on August 28 and confirms many of the changes that were included in the interim final rule. The changes include clarifying…
USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Farmers and Livestock Producers Impacted by Wildfires
…occurs due to a natural disaster event, the district conservationist serves as the local facilitator for EWP activities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the lead federal agency for…
ESA to Potentially Reflect A New ‘Habitat’ Definition Under Proposal
…comment through the Federal Register until September 4. The proposal of a clear definition of ‘habitat’ comes as a result of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding critical habitat…
Wildfire Assistance from USDA Being Offered to Famers and Ranchers
…“Right now, more than 6,000 firefighters from the USDA Forest Service are battling wildfires across the nation alongside our local, state and federal partners,” USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources…
FDA Seeks Data for ‘Rarely Consumed Raw’ Exemption Under FSMA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is seeking additional information as it considers expanding the “rarely consumed raw” list. Produce commodities that have low reported rates of consumption are…
Meat Institute Works with OSHA to Protect Workers
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have entered into an alliance to increase safety in the meat sector….
Lawmakers Encourage Active Enforcement of Dairy Provisions of USMCA
…need to be emphasized now that the agreement has been put into effect. The coalition highlights Canada’s administration of its dairy Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) as being particularly important. The…
Enhanced PACA Training Being Offered Online by USDA
…tool is useful for those who rely on AMS’ administration of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) which enforces fair-trade practices in the produce industry. The PACA Basics Online Training…
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
…both the CFRA and the Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA). “The federal leave is relatively simple to administer but California is not and we’re going to be putting small employers…
Working Together: Walnut Growers Added to CFAP Direct Payments
Federal aid for producers impacted by COVID-19 will now include the California walnut industry. USDA announced additional commodities that qualify for direct grower payments through the Farm Service Agency (FSA),…
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…