The USDA is now offering a new certification program designed to assist small and mid-sized producers and cooperatives meet food safety requirements. This new GroupGAP program will be handled through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). “We know that GAP certification can sometimes be cost-prohibitive for smaller farmers,” said AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer. “GroupGAP allows these farmers to demonstrate compliance with … Read More
New Traits Offer Better Resistance to Curly Top Virus
The USDA has developed a new breeding line for sugar beet germ plasm. The result could be a new variety of sugar crop that can stand up to the sugar beet curly top virus. The disease is cased by small insects known as “beet leafhoppers” transferring a virus that results in yellow, curled leaves. Outbreaks of the disease can reduce … Read More
$103 Million Going to Vital Watershed Projects
The USDA has announced an investment of $103 million for the recovery and rehabilitation of aging dams in the U.S. The program will cover problem areas in 19 states, with the hard-hit states of Texas, Mississippi and Utah receiving the most assistance for damage caused by 2015’s excessive rains and other natural disasters. “The Emergency Watershed Protection program is vital to … Read More
Surprising Crop Report from USDA
The 2016 Prospective Plantings report out today from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) shows farmers expect to plant more corn and less soybeans this year. U.S. corn growers expect to plant 93.6 million acres to corn this year, the first increase in corn planted acreage since 2012 and, if realized, will be the third largest corn acreage since 1944. … Read More
$41 Million Invested in Water Quality for Lake Erie Basin
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA‘s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be putting $41 million into a three-year program designed to help farmers in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The initiative hopes to improve water quality in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) with science-based conservation measures designed to reduce runoff. The invested will offer opportunities to farmers and … Read More
USDA Announces $260 Million through RCPP
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funds of up to $260 million for partner proposals to improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The money is available through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) innovative Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Those applying for the funds must be able to match the money … Read More
USDA Puts $20 Million into Conservation
The Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program is now offering up to $20 million in competitive grants, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The USDA hopes the grants will increase the development and adoption of the latest technology in conservation methods for farmers, ranchers and landowners. “The Conservation Innovation Grant program has an impressive track record of fostering innovative conservation tools and … Read More
New Watersheds Added to NWQI Program
An allocation of $25 million by the USDA is being used to improve water quality in rivers and streams throughout the U.S. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will help agriculture producers in 187 watersheds integrate conservation practices to improve downstream waters through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) program. “Clean water is in everyone’s interest, and the National Water Quality … Read More
USDA Offers New Mapping Tool
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the University of Montana, as well as other partners have built an interactive online map tool using Google Earth Engine. The project was started to present geospatial data on the Sage Grouse Initiative. “Bringing this data together in an easy-to-use online resource helps federal, state and private partners better target our work to … Read More
USDA Invests $720 Million with Conservation Partners
The USDA is launching the second round of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) with $720 million dollars towards water quality, fighting droughts, improving soil health, supporting wildlife habitat and protecting the future viability of agriculture. There are 84 projects and multiple partners across the U.S. that will bring these goals closer to reality. The RCPP was established in the … Read More