The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will begin issuing more than $1.75 billion in emergency relief payments to eligible farmers and livestock producers. These much-needed payments are helping farming and ranching operations recover following natural disasters in 2020, 2021 and 2022. USDA is making more than $3 billion in funding available for agricultural producers and forest landowners …

The World Food Prize Foundation announced the selection of Dr. Swati Nayak as the 2023 Recipient of the Norman E. Borlaug Award for Field Research and Application, Endowed by The Rockefeller Foundation. Nayak is recognized for her innovative approach to engaging farmers in demand-driven rice seed systems, from testing and deployment to access and adoption of climate-resilient and nutritious rice …

President Joe Biden has nominated Dr. Basil Gooden to serve as Under Secretary for Rural Development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If confirmed, Dr. Gooden would fill the under secretary position left vacant by Xochitl Torres Small, who was confirmed in July 2023 as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. At the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Annual …

Daren Williams, a veteran public relations and marketing leader with significant experience across food and agriculture, has been named to lead the PR and reputation management practice at Curious Plot. Syngenta Group announced financial results for the first half and the second quarter of 2023. Sales for the first half of 2023 were $17.5 billion, down $0.6 billion or 3 …

Syngenta Group announced that Saswato Das is appointed as Chief Communications Officer, effective September 1, 2023. Das joined Syngenta Group in November 2020 as Head of Media Relations and has successfully built up a professional external communications function of the then newly established Syngenta Group. He has over twenty-five years of experience in communications, with previous leadership positions at IBM, …

GROWMARK, Inc. announced Andrew Durward of Thomson, Illinois and Scott McGeachy of Chatham, Ontario, Canada, have been elected to the GROWMARK Board of Directors. The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition will celebrate its 45th Anniversary show October 17-19, 2023. Over 1,200 exhibitors will display and demonstrate products and welcome thousands of visitors to the 100-acre show site. USDA’s Economic Research Service and …

Farm Credit Association American AgCredit, rural banking partner CoBank, and The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, also known as Farmer Mac, are donating $40,000 to Maui Food Bank to help aid during the devastating wildfires that are wreaking havoc in Hawaii. Meyocks has named veteran communications professional, Beth Davis, as public relations lead. In her new role, Davis will be responsible …

Farm Progress, Ltd. announced new editorial leadership that will continue to build on its strong momentum and commitment to agriculture media. Mike Wilson will serve as Senior Executive, Editor and Eric Braun as Senior Executive, Content. The National FFA Organization has a record-high student membership of 945,988, an increase of 11 percent from last year. In addition, the number of …

Between scoops of corn ice cream and live music, farmers and policymakers gathered at Minnesota Farmfest to discuss the issues that matter most to rural America. The Listening Session held by the House Agriculture Committee presented an opportunity for farmers, lenders, and other agricultural stakeholders to outline their priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill. Farmers testified that crop insurance is …

Celebrate marketing excellence by submitting your nominations for the NAMA Professional Development Awards by August 1. For more than 40 years, American Farmland Trust (AFT) has been helping preserve millions of farmland acres in the United States. Through its innovative initiatives and partnerships, AFT has advocated for farmers, regenerative agricultural practices and policies, and fostered resilient agricultural communities. Curious Plot …