WASHINGTON, June 1 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details of a framework to transform the food system that will benefit Southeast specialty crop producers. The goals of USDA’s Food System Transformation framework include: Building a more resilient food supply chain that provides more and better market options for consumers and producers while reducing carbon pollution: The pandemic …
USDA Announces Food Purchase Assistance Agreement with Alabama
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today has signed a cooperative agreement with Alabama under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). “USDA is excited to partner with Alabama to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities,” …
USDA to Provide Approximately $6 Billion to Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers Impacted by 2020 and 2021 Natural Disasters
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will soon begin receiving emergency relief payments totaling approximately $6 billion through the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) new Emergency Relief Program (ERP) to offset crop yield and value losses. “For over two years, farmers and ranchers across the …
USDA Seeks New Members to Serve on Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it intends to renew the charter of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). It is also seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the FVIAC. The deadline for nominations is May 31, 2022. USDA is set to reestablish the committee’s charter for two years as required by the Federal Advisory …
USDA Disaster Declaration for Florida Growers Impacted by Freeze
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) disaster designation for 17 counties and 10 contiguous counties impacted by the freezing temperatures that occurred in late January. View the USDA’s approval letter here. “With the approval of our request for a disaster declaration, farmers in Florida have resources available to them …
Commissioner Fried Statement on USDA Approval of Disaster Declaration
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried’s request on Monday for a Secretarial disaster declaration for dozens of counties impacted by freezing temperatures in late January. “We are grateful to Secretary (Tom) Vilsack and the Biden Administration for granting our request for a USDA disaster declaration after record lows at the end of January caused …
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Applauds USDA’s Investment in Domestic Fertilizer Production
In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing plans for a $250 million investment to support additional domestic fertilizer production for American farmers facing rapidly rising prices, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “Florida farmers help feed families across our state, nation, and world, even in the face of unprecedented challenges in recent years. But …
USDA to Invest in Domestic Fertilizer Production
During a speech at the Commodity Classic, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced USDA will make available $250 million through a new grant program this summer to support independent, innovative and sustainable American fertilizer production to supply American farmers. Additionally, to address growing competition concerns in the agricultural supply chain, USDA will launch a public inquiry seeking information regarding …
Commissioner Fried Shares Fertilizer Production Concerns with USDA
In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing plans for a $250 million investment to support additional domestic fertilizer production for American farmers facing rapidly rising prices, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried offered the following statement: “Florida farmers help feed families across our state, nation, and world, even in the face of unprecedented challenges in recent years. But …
USDA Survey for Certified Organic Agriculture Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2021 Organic Survey to collect data on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States. NASS will mail the survey to all known certified organic farms and ranches within the 50 states. The questionnaire asks producers to provide information on acres, production, and sales …