U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today offered farmers new information to update program payment yields that will help them better select protections offered by…
New Members Appointed to National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
Vilsack Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the appointment of members to the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) for the 2014-2016 term. Established in 1971, the…
Raising Bison Easier Than Perceived
…Kettle Buffalo represents the National Bison Association and says the industry needs more producers as demand has picked up. Gehring hears one question a lot: “Is raising bison anything like…
Census of Horticulture Arriving in Mailboxes this Winter
As millions of Americans’ venture out to purchase a fresh cut Christmas tree or poinsettia this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be surveying…
Help Available for Wildfire-Impacted Ranches and Private Forestland
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funds available through its Catastrophic Fire Recovery Initiative to address the immediate impacts of fire on natural resources on land that has suffered…
Biochar Possibilities for Small Producers
…turning to conservational burning for their agricultural waste, growers can be environmentally friendly and produce biochar on a small scale. Biochar is full of nutrients and there are ways small…
Congress Passes Key Tax Extenders Legislation
…tax extenders package was previously approved in the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the White House for approval. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bob McCan said this…
USDA to Gauge Farmland Ownership and Farm Economics
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will begin surveying farmland owners to measure financial impacts and challenges of land ownership. Landowners will begin receiving forms for…
USDA Improves Forest Health by Harvesting Biomass for Energy
…agreement to provide technical assistance to the Farm Service Agency as they implement BCAP on National Forest System lands. This will enable the development and execution of biomass sales, and…
USDA Provides Greater Protection for Fruit, Vegetable and Other Specialty Crop Growers
…Program. To learn more, visit the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap or contact your local FSA office at offices.usda.gov. The Farm Service Agency (FSA), which administers the program,…
USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
…strongly encourage agricultural producers, private forest landowners and stakeholders to provide comments on our implementation processes. This feedback will help us improve our operation and deliver technical and financial assistance…
Secretary Ross Signs Landmark Agreement with Mexican Ministry of Agriculture to Enhance Trade
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross (second from left) at today’s signing with representatives of the Mexican agricultural agency SAGARPA and the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. (Photo courtesy of CDFA) From CFA…
Clean Burns Can Benefit Soils
Burning agricultural waste cleaner has another benefit than just being environmentally friendly. Clean Burns Can Benefit Soils Attendees of the 2014 Sustainable Ag Expo in San Luis Obispo last month…
California Among States Selected by USDA for Participation in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables
…and creating jobs. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service administers 15 nutrition assistance programs. In addition to the National School Lunch Program, these programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the…









