…the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, are cornerstones of the commodity farm safety, offering farmers protection…
New Members Appointed to National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection
…Commercial Workers International Union; Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, South Dakota Animal Industry Board; Dr. Krzysztof Mazurczak, Illinois Department of Agriculture; Michael Frances Link Jr., Ohio Department of Agriculture; Dr. Manpreet Singh,…
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
…impacts from recent California wildfires. This assistance is available to agricultural operators or private non-industrial forest owners and applications will be accepted and considered for possible funding on a continuing…
Western View: Packed in China?
…mystery meats sold as lamb. And earlier this year, a television station in China broadcast video of workers in a processing plant scooping up meat that had fallen to the…
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…
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
…year. Eligible farmers, ranchers or foresters participating in BCAP received a payment to partially offset the cost of harvesting and delivering forest or agricultural residues to a qualified energy facility….
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
…of eight states to participate in the Pilot Project for Procurement of Unprocessed Fruits and Vegetables, as directed by the Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill….
USDA Joins Global Partners to Kick Off International Year of Soils in 2015
…take care of the soil, ensuring agricultural operations are sustainable for many years to come,” NRCS Chief Jason Weller said. For more information on International Year of Soils, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/….
USDA Announces Support for Producers of Advanced Biofuel
…The project period will not exceed five years. Through the Critical Agricultural Materials program, Iowa State University of Science and Technology received $1 million for the development of new paint,…