The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun accepting applications for another round of loan and grant funding for the ReConnect Program. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue recently announced that applications …
President Trump Signs Stopgap Spending Bill to Fund Farm Payments
The stopgap spending bill that was overwhelmingly passed by the House last week progressed through the Senate on Thursday by a vote of 85 to 15. President Donald Trump signed …
FSA Services Expanded During Ongoing Government Shutdown
Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices will be providing additional administrative services beginning January 24. The announcement made on January 22 indicates that FSA services for farmers and ranchers will be …
USDA Invests in Healthy Food Options for Low-Income Families
To help improve the consumption rate of healthy food options by low-income families, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced a series …
Perdue Signals Aid Plan Announcement Possible Around Labor Day
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in Chicago this week says he is hopeful his aid program for farmers will be released by Labor Day and the harvest season. Perdue spoke at …
USDA Assisting Cotton Growers with Safety Net Changes
The Department of Agriculture is helping cotton farmers prepare for new safety net coverage. The Farm Service Agency is sending acreage history and yield reports to agricultural producers with generic …
OTA Files Lawsuit Against USDA Over Organic Livestock Standards
The Organic Trade Association announced a lawsuit against the Department of Agriculture over its failure to advance new organic livestock standards. The suit alleges USDA violated the Organic Foods Production …
Censky, McKinney, Nomination Hearing Scheduled
Senate Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on nominees to the Department of Agriculture next week. Committee leaders, Chairman Pat Roberts, and ranking minority member Debbie Stabenow announced plans to …
Head of USDA Organic Program Stepping Down
The leader of the Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program will step down at the end of the month. Miles McEvoy will vacate the position overseeing the program and return …
Agricultural Chemical Use Survey Results Released
The 2016 Agricultural Chemical Use Survey collected data about pesticide use and pest management practices on acres planted to 28 different vegetable crops. NASS conducted the survey among producers in …
Funding for Research to Improve Livestock and Aquaculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 40 grants totaling more than $15.7 million for agricultural research on the production of beef, dairy, …
Crop Insurance Comments Could Jeopardize Clovis Nomination
Comments made by Senate Agriculture Committee leaders suggest that Sam Clovis’s position on crop insurance could jeopardize his nomination for a top post at the Department of Agriculture. Senate Agriculture …
Urban Agriculture Conservation Grants Awarded
The National Association of Conservation Districts, in partnership with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, has awarded $1 million in grants to 19 conservation districts in 14 states to boost technical …
Almond Board: Almond Crop Forecast
This year’s California almond crop is forecasted to exceed 2 billion pounds, according to the California Almond Objective Measurement Report by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics …