Yellow-Legged Hornet a Threat to Agriculture

Web AdminGeorgia, Pests

By Clint Thompson The presence of the yellow-legged hornet in Georgia has specialty crop producers in the Southeast on high alert. Their presence is a threat to the region’s honey bee population and subsequent crops that rely on honey bees for pollination, explains Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist. “Similar to what people were calling the murder …

N.C. State to Host Fiber Hemp Meeting

Web AdminHemp, North Carolina

North Carolina specialty crop growers interested in producing hemp should make plans to attend a fiber hemp interest meeting on Thursday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon. The meeting will be held at the Mangum Community Building, 5838 Grassy Island Road, Mount Gilead, North Carolina, 27306. The half-day field day will focus on industrial hemp fiber, highlighting field production, …

S.C. Farmers, Food Processors Seeking Organic Certification May Qualify for Grant Funding

Web AdminOrganic, South Carolina

COLUMBIA – South Carolina farmers and food processors who want to pursue organic certification may qualify for reimbursement through a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency. For some producers, organic certification can help reach new customers and align with existing ones. “This funding enabled …

Survey Says: Growers to Use Cover Crops Even If Not Incentivized

Web AdminHemp, USDA

Cash incentives have spurred some growers to implement cover crops as part of their farming operations. But a recent survey has shown, after those incentives from cash or crop insurance discounts go away, producers are prone to stick with the process. In a U.S. Department of Agriculture interview, Rob Myers, director of the MU Center for Regenerative Agriculture at the …

Rep. Cammack Voices Concerns Ahead of New Farm Bill

Web AdminFarm Bill

The future of Florida’s agriculture industry rests in the hands of legislative leaders devising the next Farm Bill. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) continues her quest in ensuring Florida producers are not slighted as the next bill continues to be debated in Washington D.C. She spoke with Florida Politics as the current Farm Bill debate lingers and what should be included. Cammack tried to steer …

Hurricane Ian Assistance Deadline Extended

Web AdminUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for applications from agricultural producers for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from Hurricane Ian in Florida. The application deadline has been extended to Sept. 25, 2023. The 28 approved counties for ECP signup are Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Clay, Collier, DeSoto, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, …

August Lending Rates for Producers

Web AdminUSDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced loan interest rates for August 2023, which were effective Aug. 1. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide access to capital to help producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans   The FSA offers farm ownership …

Rep. Cammack Voices Concerns Ahead of New Farm Bill

Web AdminFarm Bill, Florida

The future of Florida’s agriculture industry rests in the hands of legislative leaders devising the next Farm Bill. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) continues her quest in ensuring Florida producers are not slighted as the next bill continues to be debated in Washington D.C. She spoke with Florida Politics as the current Farm Bill debate lingers and what should be …

Building a Better Understanding of Ecosystem Services in Agriculture

Web AdminAgri-business, Environment

By Frank Giles There has been a lot of media coverage and hype about the potential of agriculture to benefit from emerging carbon-capture markets in recent years. Various certifying agencies and groups have begun jockeying for position for their place in what could become a new segment in agriculture as the movement progresses. But there remains many questions about what …

Crop Insurance Deadline Nears in Florida for Cabbage Growers

Web AdminFlorida, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds Florida cabbage producers that the final date to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2024 crop year is Tuesday, Aug. 15. Current policyholders who wish to adjust their existing coverage also have until the Aug. 15 sales closing date to do so. Federal crop insurance is critical to …