2014 Farm Bill’s marquee specialty crop programs now providing funding Vilsack Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced new funding to help grow Florida’s, and the nation’s, specialty crop industries. Specialty…
EPA Announces $183 Million to Improve Water Quality, Infrastructure in California
Agency highlights water conservation project in the city of Fresno, reducing water use by 25% Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld announced more than $183 million…
Weekly Column: Farm to School Programs Create New Opportunities for Farmers
…Farm to School programs into more schools and expand opportunity for farmers and ranchers, USDA offers grants, training, and technical assistance. Since the start of our Farm to School Grant…
Record Walnut Production Forecast
…Measurement (O.M.) Survey, officially conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service August 1 through August 22, 2014. There were a few samples completed before August 1 for training and scheduling…
Soil Health Takes Main Stage at California State Board of Food and Agriculture Meeting on Oct. 7th
…Soil health has taken a central role in global discussions on climate change, wildlife protection, and sustainable farming practices. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently launched a new…
Merced County Farm Bureau Hosting the 3rd Annual FARM2U Day
The Merced County Farm Bureau will be hosting the 3rd Annual FARM2U Day at the Merced County Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 9, 2014. From 8:30am-1pm over 3,000 third-grade students from…
Raising the Bar; How Protecting You From Pesticides Has Changed
…more than 1,000 biologists statewide, with about 350 of them dedicated to enforcing pesticide laws at the county level. This includes the responsibility of inspecting growers, applicators, farm labor contractors…
Program Boosts Farmers’ Markets
One of the recent programs receiving funding through the Farm Bill will directly help smaller specialty crop growers. Program Boosts Farmers’ Markets Agriculture Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo says the…
Food Hubs Receive Financial Help
The USDA is allocating funds to promote regional food systems, and food hubs are a main focus. Food Hubs Receive Financial Help Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator Anne Alonzo announced three…
United States and Brazil Reach Agreement to End WTO Cotton Dispute
…to the operation of the GSM-102 program and changes to cotton domestic support programs. The Framework expired on February 7, 2014, when the 2014 Farm Bill was enacted. The Farm…
USDA Helps Deliver the Latest in Innovative Agricultural Methods to Small, Socially Disadvantaged Agricultural Producers
…management and whole-farm planning. SCF-Organic Farms, LTD – $200,000 grant; To complete an organic farming progress study, conduct on-farm pest management workshops and conduct on-farm land preparation demonstrations for socially…
Experts Urge Farmers to Use New Tool
When farmers choose one of the 2014 Farm Bill’s safety-net programs this winter, a new web tool can help them evaluate which program is best for them. Experts Urge Farmers…
Nation’s Ag Co-ops Set Record for Annual Sales and Income
…cooperative business sector, which includes about 30,000 co-ops. In addition to agriculture, the nation’s co-ops play a major role in electricity and telecommunications services, credit and financial services, housing and…
2014 Grant Awards to Support Farmers Markets, Local Food and Organic Production
Alonzo The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator Anne Alonzo discusses the AMS Fiscal Year 2014 grants for farmers markets and other local food promotion efforts….