WASHINGTON, Jan. 15, 2021—The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today the final rule regulating the production of hemp in the United States. The final rule incorporates modifications to regulations established under the interim final rule (IFR) published in October 2019. The modifications are based on public comments following the publication of the IFR and lessons learned during the 2020 …
USDA Announces Details of the 2021 Agricultural Outlook Forum Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces details of the 97th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, which will be held virtually on Feb. 18-19, 2021. The 2021 Forum, themed “Building on Innovation: A Pathway to Resilience,” will focus on the central role science and innovation have played in helping the agricultural sector overcome challenges and build resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. …
USDA Establishes Weekly Report to Highlight Seasonable, Perishable Product Trends
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a new data report, the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement Seasonal Perishable Products Weekly Update, prepared in close partnership with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce). The weekly report is based on data provided by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) …
USDA Provides More Than $70 Million to Protect Agriculture and Natural Resources from Plant Pests and Diseases
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $70 million to support 383 projects under the Plant Protection Act’s Section 7721 program to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, threat mitigation, to safeguard the nursery production system and to respond to plant pest emergencies. Universities, states, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and …
Three New Peach Cultivars from the USDA
A new year means a new set of peach cultivars for producers to choose from for the upcoming season. According to UGA Extension peach blog, the USDA at Byron, Georgia has released a trio of “Joy” peach cultivars, named ‘Crimson Joy’ (early mid-season), ‘Liberty Joy’ (mid-season), and ‘Rich Joy’ (late season). The three main-season cultivars have self-fertile showy pink flowers …
2021 Value Added Producer Grants from USDA
According to The South Carolina Grower, the USDA is accepting applications for Value Added Producer Grants. The applications are due by March 22, 2021. Click below for the application templates: fy2021 Planning Grant ToolkitDownload fy2021 Working Capital Grant ToolkitDownload According to the application, “The purpose of the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program is to help U.S. agricultural producers enter into …
USDA AgCensus Special Survey Looks at Local Foods Marketing Practices
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) AgCensus special survey looks at local foods marketing practices. The information generated in the survey is vitally important to priorities set by the USDA, including the enhancement of rural economies, the environment, food access and nutrition, strengthening agricultural producers and markets, according to Adam Cline with the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Stephanie Ho has …
USDA NIFA Offers Grants for Hemp Supply Chains & Rural Development
Written By Marne Coit According to N.C. State Extension, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), has announced a new round of grant funding that specifically includes support for hemp projects. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program is intended to fund projects related to research, extension and education. The purpose of AFRI’s Sustainable Agricultural …
USDA Announces National Watermelon Promotion Board Appointments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the appointment of nine members to serve on the National Watermelon Promotion Board this week. The appointees will serve three-year terms from Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2023. Members newly appointed or reappointed are: District 1 Producer: Kyler Bishop, Punta Gorda, Florida District 1 Producer: Chad Chastain, Punta Gorda, Florida District 1 Handler: …
NIHC Receives USDA Market Access Program Funding for International Research and Promotion of Hemp
NIHC Becomes First Hemp Organization Officially Recognized by USDA Foreign Agricultural Service as Market Access Program (MAP) Partner WASHINGTON – The National Industrial Hemp Council announced it received $200,000 in U.S. Department of Agricultural (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP) funding to support export market development of industrial hemp. “We are grateful for USDA confidence and the recognition of NIHC as the …