With the release just last week of USDA’s interim rule for the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, it was a big topic of discussion at the inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exposition this week in Orlando. National Hemp Association chairman Geoff Whaling says the rule is a good first step. “This was a herculean lift for them (USDA) because …
Learning at Inaugural Florida Industrial Hemp Conference
I’m starting out this week on the agriblogging highway attending the first Florida Industrial Hemp Conference & Exposition in Orlando. With an expectation of 200 attendees the actual number is about 450 according to conference coordinator, Gene Jones. In the photo our keynote speaker is leading the program off today. She is Holly Bell, Director of Cannabis, Florida Department of …
Biofuels Groups Express Concerns at EPA Hearing
Representatives from multiple ethanol and biodiesel stakeholder organizations and companies delivered basically the same message to the Environmental Protection Agency during a hearing Wednesday on the proposal to make up for volumes lost under the Renewable Fuel Standard due to small refinery waivers – nice try, but you still need to follow the law. Here is what some had to …
USDA Deputy Secretary on Trade Mission in West Africa
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Censky is on a trade mission to West Africa this week to help United States exporters unlock new opportunities in a region where strong economic growth is driving demand for imported food and farm products. He is joined by representatives of more than 40 companies and organizations seeking to increase exports of U.S. agricultural …
USDA Unveils Domestic Hemp Production Program
On Tuesday, USDA officials announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program to create a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made the announcement in a pre-recorded video. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …
ZimmCast 628 – Conversation with Demeter
In this week’s program I have a conversation with Sharlet Teigen, CEO, Demeter Communications. Sharlet talks about the start of the company and the challenges she and the team had to overcome. For her it began with a major move from Chicago to rural Montana. Cindy and I have known Sharlet for many years so we also do some reminiscing …
China Reportedly Willing to Buy $20 Billion in US Ag Products
News reports today say China is willing to buy at least $20 billion of agricultural products in a year, and possibly twice as much or more in the future. President Donald Trump talked about China buying agricultural products during a cabinet meeting on Monday. “If we could get $20 billion a year from China — that China purchases $20 billion …
USDA Deputy Provides Farm Bill Update
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing Thursday to hear from USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky regarding implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill. “At the Secretary’s direction, our implementation cadence and priorities corresponded to the conditions testing the resilience of the American farmer,” Censky told the committee. He gave updates on implementation of the Dairy Margin …
Biofuels Groups Disappointed With EPA Proposal
Less than two weeks ago biofuels organizations and stakeholders were praising the Trump Administration agreement to promote biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Now that the details have been made public, not so much. The notice released by EPA on Tuesday “does not change the proposed volumes for 2020 and 2021. Instead, it proposes and seeks comment on adjustments …
ZimmCast 627 – Commercial UAV Expo Americas
Drones, drones and more drones! In this week’s program you will hear Jeremiah Karpowicz, Executive Editor of Commercial UAV News, talk about this year’s Commercial UAV Expo Americas. This trade show and conference focuses on commercial drone integration and operation in a variety of industries, including agriculture. Here’s some more information about the conference. In the Conference Program, UAV industry experts share …