Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson announced targeted conservation funding of up to $50 million over the next five years in the Red River of the North Basin to minimize flooding, boost soil health, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat in the watershed. “The Red River Basin is a mosaic of farmlands, grasslands, … Read More
Marrone Bio Opens Michigan Facility
Marrone Bio Innovations, a leading global provider of bio-based pest management and plant health products, celebrated the official opening of its Marrone Michigan Manufacturing (M3) facility Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). “We know how to grow things and make things, so it’s no surprise that MBI chose to invest right here in Michigan,” said … Read More
USDA Reports Less Corn, More Soybeans Planted
More soybeans and less corn planted this year, according to the USDA planted acreage report released today. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is estimating a record high 84.8 million acres of soybeans planted in the United States for 2014, up 11 percent from last year, while corn acreage planted is estimated at 91.6 million acres, down 4 percent from … Read More
USDA Provides $8 Million for Honey Bees
The USDA, announced $8 million in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) incentives for Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin farmers and ranchers who establish new habitats for declining honey bee populations. More than half of the commercially managed honey bees are in these five states during the summer. The announcement comes in addition to $3 million USDA designated to … Read More
USDA Programs Help Land and Beginning Farmers
Farmers, ranchers and landowners committed to protecting and conserving environmentally sensitive land may sign up for USDA’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) starting today. In addition, retiring farmers enrolled in CRP can receive incentives to transfer a portion of their land to beginning, disadvantaged or veteran farmers through the Transition Incentives Program (TIP). “The average age of farmers and ranchers in … Read More
USDA Prepares Farmers for New Farm Bill Programs
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA is awarding $6 million to universities and cooperative state extension services to develop online decision tools and other materials and train experts to educate producers about several key farm bill programs. The new Web tools will help farmers and ranchers determine what participation in programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will … Read More
NACD Welcomes Rollout of USDA’s RCPP
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) looks forward to supporting the USDA in the implementation of the new USDA NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The new RCPP program will promote collaborative projects that improve soil quality, water quality/quantity, and wildlife habitat in a specific area. The eight Critical Conservation Areas (CCAs) are: Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay watershed, … Read More
USDA Heralds “New Era in Conservation”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today joined Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow to “launch a new era in American conservation efforts with an historic focus on public-private partnership.” Vilsack and Stabenow announced the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) today during a visit to the Saginaw Bay watershed of the Great Lakes agricultural region. “This is an entirely new approach to … Read More
USDA Helps Ag Producers Improve Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $33 million in assistance will be provided to farmers and ranchers to make conservation improvements that will improve water quality in 174 watersheds. “This targeted approach provides a way to accelerate voluntary, private lands conservation investments to improve water quality and to focus water quality monitoring and assessment funds where they are most needed,” … Read More
USDA Predicts Record Crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its initial assessment of the nation’s crops for the coming year on Friday, calling for a record season based on the March 31 Prospective Plantings report. Corn production is projected at 13.9 billion bushels, up slightly from the 2013/14 record with higher expected yields more than offsetting the year-to-year reduction in planted area. The … Read More