Growers of fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops will get some better protection courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This USDA news release says the agency will now provide greater protection from the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for crops that traditionally have been ineligible for federal crop insurance as part of the 2014 Farm Bill. “These new …
USDA Chief Economist to Retire
The chief economist with USDA is retiring at the end of the year after 30 years of federal service. “No one has a higher level of credibility on issues impacting the agricultural economy than Dr. Glauber,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a statement. “Farm country and, truly, the country as a whole have been extraordinarily well served by Joe …
2014 Census of Horticulture Underway
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has started 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties. This news release says the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the survey that will provide a comprehensive picture of the horticultural sector of the U.S. economy, along with offering detailed production and sales data for the U.S. floriculture, nursery and specialty crop industries, including greenhouse food …
Smart Ag in the 21st Century
“Smart Agriculture in the 21st Century” is the theme for the 2015 Agricultural Outlook Forum to be held from Feb. 19-20, 2015, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, Va. USDA has announced that the forum’s plenary speakers and sessions will take a global, modern look at different aspects of today’s agriculture industry. Among the highlights, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack …
NRCS Official Discusses Programs at NAFB
Soils, climate change, pollinators, and the 2014 Farm Bill conservation programs were among the topics addressed at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by James Tillman, southeast regional conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Tillman says NRCS has been very active in protecting pollinators, and honeybees in particular. “NRCS is working with five states – South Dakota, …
Gutter Becomes USDA’s First Military Vets Ag Liaison
A Marine Corps Reserve veteran becomes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) first Military Veterans Agricultural (MVA) Liaison. This news release from USDA says Karis T. Gutter, the current USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS), will serve in the role to facilitate formal relationships between USDA and other government agencies and non-profit organizations to strengthen …
Secretary Vilsack Praises Farm Broadcasters
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack began his press conference at the 2014 National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention by thanking those who attended for their work. “Obviously without your voices and without your access to audiences across the country, we wouldn’t be as successful in terms of getting the messages about the implementation of this new farm bill,” said Vilsack. …
USDA Announces Veterans and Youth Projects
In observance of Veterans Day, USDA and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) announced partners and projects that will be funded in this fiscal year to provide job and training opportunities to veterans and youth. “This landmark partnership with AmeriCorps to jointly support service opportunities for youth and veterans is an all-around win for our young people and …
Slight Decrease in Corn, Increase in Beans
The November crop forecast from USDA calls for a slightly lower corn crop but a slightly higher soybean crop. Corn production is now forecast at 14.4 billion bushels, just a bit lower than last month, but still three percent higher than last year, with yields now expected to average 173.4 bushels per acre. If realized, this will still be the …
USDA Seeks Input on New Beef Checkoff
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service is seeking input on the development of a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order for beef. The new order would be in addition to the existing beef checkoff program, providing American beef producers with more resources for the marketing of their products and research to help strengthen the country’s beef industry. “Beef industry representatives …