The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published the 2022 Pesticide Data Program (PDP) Annual Summary, which shows that over 99% of the samples tested had pesticide residues below benchmark levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The tests were conducted on 10,665 samples from 23 commodities including fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, dairy, nuts and grains. The PDP …
Investments to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector
WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investments on Monday designed to support the U.S. specialty crops industry. The launch of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative will provide $65 million for projects that will help the specialty crop sector increase global exports and expand to new markets. Additionally, the USDA announced $72.9 …
Biden Administration Invests $207 Million in Clean Energy, Domestic Fertilizer Projects
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22, 2024 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week that the USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. producers. The announcement was made by Secretary Vilsack at the 105th annual American Farm Bureau Federation …
USDA NASS Conducts Hemp Survey
Athens, GA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) sent the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to nearly 1,600 producers across Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina on Monday, Jan. 22. This follows NASS’s 2022 Hemp Acreage and Production survey. Like the 2022 questionnaire, this year’s survey will collect information on the total planted and harvested …
USDA to Kick off National Agricultural Classification Survey
WASHINGTON – Already preparing for the 2027 Census of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct the National Agricultural Classification Survey (NACS) starting Wednesday, Jan. 24. The survey, an important step in determining who should receive a 2027 Census of Agriculture questionnaire, will be distributed to approximately 250,000 recipients to ask if they …
USDA Announces January 2024 Lending Rates for Agricultural Producers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2024, which became effective Tuesday, Jan. 2. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help farmers 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 local offices …
USDA Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet, and build …
USDA Announces December 2023 Lending Rates for Producers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced loan interest rates for December 2023, which became effective Dec. 1, 2023. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help farmers 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 Now Accepting Applications for Farm Loans Online
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an online application for Direct Loan customers. More than 26,000 customers who submit a Direct Loan application each year can now use an online, interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents such as tax returns, complete a balance …
USDA Announces ’22 Census of Ag Details
WASHINGTON – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on Feb. 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection this summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61%. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to more than 3 million producers across the United …