The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments and practice implementation for Emergency Conservation Program (ECP), Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), and Tree Assistance Program (TAP) applicants impacted by these three named storms in 2024. Additionally, USDA is waiving certain requirements for ECP and EFRP to provide restoration cost share assistance payments more quickly to producers impacted by hurricanes occurring Oct. 1, 2016, through Sept. 30, 2023. FSA is waiving the requirement that producers impacted by hurricanes submit receipts and documentation related to land restoration.
The annual U.S. Beekeeping Survey indicates the highest colony losses since the 2010-11 beekeeping season, when colony loss rates were first determined. U.S. beekeepers lost an estimated 55.1 percent of their managed bee colonies in 2023-24 – 14.8 percentage points higher than the 13-year average annual loss rate of 40.3 percent. This surge in colony losses was driven largely by losses among commercial beekeepers managing more than 500 colonies.
The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Berit Linnehan Foss will join the organization as the new Vice President, Feed and Sustainability, effective Dec. 18, 2024. With a career spanning roles in feed, regulatory affairs, quality control and sustainability, Dr. Foss brings a wealth of expertise to NGFA and its members.
A new report from the Global Forum on Farm Policy & Innovation (GFFPI) highlights the complexities of balancing trade and sustainability objectives, emphasizing the pressing need to align trade rules with sustainability goals while avoiding unintended consequences. The report, Policy and Practice for Sustainable Agriculture and Trade, is based on observations from the second workshop held by GFFPI, held in Washington D.C. in July 2024. The first workshop was hosted at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Paris in 2023 and focused on the ideal state of agriculture sustainability and trade.
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) gave out awards at its Conference & Expo with more than 600 ag retail industry professionals. Rod Wells with GROWMARK received the ARA Distinguished Service Award, Ernie Chappell was honored with the Jack Eberspacher Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of leadership in ag retail, and Buttonwillow Warehouse Company (BWC) claimed Retailer of the Year award.
Nominate the cream of the crop for the Agribusiness Leader of the Year, NAMA Marketer of the Year, Ag Association Leader, or Next Gen NAMA awards. These prestigious awards will be presented at the 2025 Agri-Marketing Conference, April 9-11 in Kansas City. Submit your online nomination(s) by January 31, 2025.
The Renewable Fuels Association is proud to announce the addition of two innovative leaders, Edeniq, Inc. and incite.ag, to its growing network of associate members. These forward-thinking companies bring cutting-edge expertise in biotechnology and agriculture, bolstering RFA’s mission to advance sustainable biofuels and promote innovation. Their membership reflects a shared commitment to low-carbon solutions, strengthening the collaboration that defines RFA’s role in shaping the future of renewable energy.
Brad Hooker, who has been leading Agri-Pulse Communications’ coverage of food and agriculture policy in California since 2019, has been named the company’s first Sacramento bureau chief. Hooker pioneered Agri-Pulse’s weekly in-depth newsletter coverage of California lawmakers and key agency regulators and produces Agri-Pulse Daybreak West each weekday.
Impactful integrated media, outstanding service and deep experience with growers are the key drivers behind Rural Traction Network, a new full service marketing and digital services agency officially launched by veteran ag marketing professional Joe Monahan, principal of the new company.
Since being introduced at the end of August, hundreds of Ayrstone AyrMesh HubDuo units have gone into use across the United States and Canada, providing faster, better outdoor WiFi to farmers, ranchers, and other rural homes and businesses. Now there is a new feature for the AyrMesh HubDuo: Meshing Modes. Meshing Modes allow HubDuo users to adjust the Hub for either the traditional AyrMesh long-range meshing, with Hubs at least half a mile apart, or a new close-in mesh.
The Nebraska Ag Expo, a trailblazer in advancing agricultural innovation and host of Innovation Hub – a dynamic center for groundbreaking technologies and forward-thinking ag solutions – has invited six companies to compete for cash prizes during the Startup Showcase at Innovation After Hours.
