Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …
Farm Service Agency: MASC Program Applications Accepted Through Jan. 8, 2025
Specialty crop producers should be mindful that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program. Sign-up started on Dec. 10. Applications are due to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency through Jan. 8, 2025. MASC provides financial assistance to specialty crop growers to help them expand domestic markets or develop …
Brooke Rollins Tapped to Lead USDA
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in his second term. Currently, Rollins serves as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. Rollins was formerly director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for Strategic Initiatives in the White House under President Donald Trump, where …
USDA’s Farm Service Agency to Host Nov. 25 Disaster Assistance Webinar for Florida Producers
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Florida invites farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who were impacted by recent hurricanes to participate in a webinar focused on available FSA disaster recovery resources. “The Farm Service Agency is here to help Florida agriculture recover from damages caused by hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton,” said Deborah …
USDA Announces More Than $2 Billion to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector
WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday the creation of new programs that will help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables and nuts overcome market barriers for their products, and help producers access necessary pre-market storage for their crops following severe weather events, including recent hurricanes. The new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative will provide $2 billion to …
New Administration Means New Ag Secretary
By Clint Thompson President Donald Trump’s re-election last week means a new administration for the next four years. That includes a new Secretary of Agriculture with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Tom Vilsack has served as ag secretary since 2021 under President Joe Biden. Trump’s first secretary of agriculture was Sonny Perdue. Now the question becomes, who will be …
USDA Announces $33.5 Million in Grant Awards to Expand Local and Regional Food Systems
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service has awarded more than $33.5 million for 113 grant projects in 43 states and territories to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems, while increasing the availability of locally grown agricultural products. The funding will be distributed through the Local Agriculture Market Program’s (LAMP) Farmers Market and Local …
USDA NASS Results: 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Data Now Available
WASHINGTON – There were 212,714 farms with 53.1 million irrigated acres, which included 81 million acre-feet of water applied in the United States, according to the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey results. The statistics were published last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). In 2018, the irrigation survey results showed that there …
November 2024 Lending Rates for Producers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for November, which became effective Nov. 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 work with …
USDA Under Secretary Moffitt Highlights Investments in Organic Agriculture
Portland, Ore. — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt attended the National Organic Standards Board fall meeting to highlight USDA’s investment in and support of the nation’s organic agricultural industry. USDA’s programs are opening new market opportunities for farmers, expanding consumer access to organic foods and helping producers take home a …