USDA Expands Fresh Market Beans Insurance Program to Florida

Clint ThompsonUSDA

VALDOSTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding the fresh market beans insurance program to two southern Florida counties: Hendry and Palm Beach. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) currently offers coverage in New York, North Carolina and Virginia. “Fresh market bean growers in Florida and stakeholders have asked for crop insurance,” said Davina Lee, director of RMA’s …

USDA Announces July Lending Rates for Farmers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2024, which became effective July 1, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide access to capital to help producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.           “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our …

Sens. Ossoff, Rev. Warnock Pressing USDA to Promote Georgia Pecans

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock are pushing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help Georgia farmers export more pecans. Both are urging the USDA to provide adequate promotional resources for marketing Georgia pecans to the global market. The inquiry comes after the USDA announced the first tranche of funding under the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program …

USDA Seeks Nominees for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

Clint ThompsonUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 3, 2024. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint up to 25 individuals for two-year terms to succeed members whose terms will expire Oct. 28. Detailed information about the advisory …

USDA Proposes Revising Section 8e Import Inspection Fee Structure for Fresh Fruits, Vegetables

Clint ThompsonUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing revisions to the regulations governing the inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables and other products. These proposed changes include a per-pound fee structure for certain Section 8e import inspections; a minimum fee equivalent to a 2-hour charge computed at the current established hourly rate, whichever is greater; …

USDA Awards $50 Million to Support Farmworkers and Agricultural Employers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

PALISADE, Colo. – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico, through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP Program), reaching 177 unique agricultural operations and more than 11,000 workers. The awards will help improve the resiliency of the …

USDA Announces May 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced loan interest rates for May 2024, which became effective May 1, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.          “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to …

USTR, USDA Announce Appointments to Advisory Committee

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia, USDA

WASHINGTON – The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have announced appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.  Members from Georgia and Florida were selected to the committee, including Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Mike Joyner, president of …

Strengthening Farms, Businesses: USDA Invests in Domestic Fertilizer Projects

Clint ThompsonUSDA

CASCO, Wis. – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced last week that the USDA is investing in domestic fertilizer projects to strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. This funding advances President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to grow the nation’s economy from the middle out and bottom up. It will create jobs and spur …

USDA NASS: Update on Pecan Acreage, Price

Clint ThompsonGeorgia, Pecan

By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bearing pecan acres continues to increase, though its yield per acre dropped in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Georgia’s acreage has increased from 139,000 acres in 2021, to 146,000 acres in 2022 and 148,000 acres in 2023. However, its yields per acre dropped from 898 pounds in …