USDA’s Farm Service Agency to Host Nov. 25 Disaster Assistance Webinar for Florida Producers

Clint ThompsonUSDA

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, Alabama Award $5.9 Million to Projects that Strengthen Food Supply Chain Infrastructure

Clint ThompsonAlabama

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced it has partnered with Alabama to award $5.9 million for six projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. “Projects funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program …

Attention North Carolina Farmers: Submit Soil Samples by Nov. 26 to Avoid Peak-Season Fees

Clint ThompsonNorth Carolina

RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services soil testing lab is about to hit its busy season. Growers and homeowners are encouraged to submit soil samples by Nov. 26 to avoid peak-season fees and to get results and recommendations sooner. Peak-season fees will be waived for the western counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. “Accurate lime and …

Sen. Ossoff Testimony: Disaster Assistance Needed by End of Year

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff pressed both political parties on Wednesday on the urgency of passing agricultural disaster assistance for Georgia before the end of the year. Ossoff testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations on the urgent need to support Georgia agriculture after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. “The numbers are staggering, but this isn’t about …

GFVGA Eager to Tell Its Story to New Administration

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) is eager to work with the President-Elect Donald Trump and his administration. Though this will mark Trump’s second term as president, his administration will look much differently. Chris Butts, executive director of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, discussed his organization’s mindset when working with newly appointed leaders …

Georgia Ag Commissioner Sounds Alarm on Invasive Spotted Lanternfly Detection

Clint ThompsonGeorgia

ATLANTA, GA — The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has received confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the first detection of Spotted Lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula or SLF) was made in Fulton County, Georgia on Oct. 22, 2024, and confirmed by USDA APHIS on Nov. 14, 2024. The first confirmed detection of the Spotted Lanternfly was made in Pennsylvania …

UF/IFAS Receives $1 Million Grant to Explore Automation in Nursery Industry

Clint ThompsonFlorida

Imagine a future where nursery growers can effortlessly manage their plants with cutting-edge automation technologies, using potting or weed-spraying robots, instead of having to dig each hole or spray each pot by hand. With the help of a $9.8 million grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), this vision is becoming a reality. UF/IFAS will use …

USDA Announces More Than $2 Billion to Strengthen Specialty Crops Sector

Clint ThompsonUSDA

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 …

GT Thompson Leads Bipartisan Tour of Hurricane Damage in Florida, Georgia

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Georgia

House Committee on Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson was part of a recent bipartisan tour of hurricane damage sustained in Florida and Georgia. He released the following statement: “Traveling to the Southeast, I was able to see firsthand the devastating impact of the recent hurricanes. Hurricanes Milton and Helene hit our agricultural sector especially hard, highlighting the urgent need for disaster …

Sign of Resilience: Florida Growers Ensure Fresh Strawberries Are Available This Season

Clint ThompsonFlorida, Strawberry

Florida strawberry growers are a resilient bunch. They’ve survived the back-to-back punches from hurricanes Helene and Milton. Through hard work and efficient problem-solving, they have planted the fruits you’ll enjoy from December through April. Kenneth Parker, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, works regularly with University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) breeders, Extension agents …