The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting a hemp survey. It sent out the Hemp Production and Disposition Inquiry to almost 1,600 growers across the Southeast, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. This followed NASS’s 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production survey. Like the 2021 questionnaire, this year’s survey will collect information on the total planted …
USDA to Step Up Organic Rules Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and addresses National …
USDA Publishes Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and …
USDA Citrus Forecast Drops Again
Florida citrus crops, already at historically low levels, were forecast Jan. 12 to fall even lower. The all-orange forecast fell 10% from the December projection. The grapefruit and tangerine/tangelo forecasts both tumbled 17%. The forecast was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA NASS). If realized, the orange, grapefruit and tangerine/tangelo crops will be 56%, …
USDA Seeking Public Comments for Fertilizer Production Projects
SAN JUAN, P.R., January 9, 2023 — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention several major developments at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will benefit farmers, ranchers and producers across the nation. “At USDA, our goal is to provide all farmers, including new and underserved producers, with the opportunity to …
USDA NASS Highlights Organic Production with Recent Survey
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Organic Survey, which show total sales of $11.2 billion in organic products, an increase of $1.28 billion, or 13%, from 2019. There were also 17,445 certified organic farms, a 5% increase from 2019. “The continual rise in interest for updated organics data …
USDA Invites Ag Producers to Respond to 2022 Census of Agriculture
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) mailed survey codes in November to all known farmers across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at agcounts.usda.gov. The 2022 Census of Agriculture will be mailed in phases, with paper questionnaires following in December. Producers need to respond only once, whether securely online …
USDA Invites Growers to Respond Online to 2022 Census of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has mailed survey codes to all known agriculture producers across the 50 states with an invitation to respond online to the 2022 Census of Agriculture at agcounts.usda.gov. The ag census is the nation’s only comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state, county and territory. By completing the survey, producers across the nation can …
New USDA Aid Packages Announced
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Nov. 15 announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). The two programs help offset crop and revenue losses for growers. USDA is sharing early information to help …
USDA Offers Funds for Beginning Farmers
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Scientist Chavonda Jacobs-Young announced on Tuesday a nearly $24 million investment across 45 organizations and institutions that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers. “Investing in the professional development of our nation’s newest farmers and ranchers will help our food and agriculture sectors to flourish from the ground up,” said Jacobs-Young, who is also …