The Department of Agriculture seeks to “cut the red tape” to make it easier to invest in rural America. USDA Monday announced streamline access to four flagship loan programs. The programs include the Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees Program, Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program, and the Rural…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Demo “Climate-Friendly” Ag Plan Gets Mixed Reaction
The House Democrats’ climate change committee released an ambitious framework for slashing greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition says those plans include agriculture playing a key role in the goal. The emission cutting would be achieved in part by ramping up conservation programs for ag producers that cover…… MORE
Shortage of Ag Inspectors
A coalition of more than 150 agricultural organizations is urging Congressional appropriators to close an estimated $630 million funding shortfall for Agricultural Inspectors at ports-of-entry. The coalition stated its case in a letter written to key members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Customs and Border Protection Specialists, Technicians, and Canine Teams inspect…… MORE
China Clampdown on Imports
China’s General Administration on Customs is asking some exporters to sign forms guaranteeing their products are free from COVID-19 contamination. Politico says that’s not sitting well with many U.S. food producers, who say they’re hesitant to sign off on the new safety protocols when they say it’s highly unlikely their food can even carry…… MORE
FFA National Convention Goes Digital
The National FFA Organization announced last week that the 2020 National FFA Convention and Expo will be held virtually. “We wanted to ensure that our members and guests had the full convention experience,” says Mark Peoschl, National FFA CEO. “After a discussion with the Board of Directors, the decision was made to move forward…… MORE
Farm Workers Strike After Dozens Get Coronavirus
WASCO, Calif. (AP) – A union official says a group of about 50 farm workers at a California pistachio farm have gone on strike, demanding free face coverings, gloves and information from the farm’s owner. A United Farm Workers official said workers were picketing Thursday outside Primex Farms in the central California city of Wasco…… MORE
Illegal Meat Seized at California Ports
Officials with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports it has intercepted 19,500 pounds of prohibited pork, chicken, beef and duck products arriving from China. The products were intercepted at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. According to an official statement, most of the animal products were mixed in boxes of headphones,…… MORE
Monsanto Settlement to Fund Water Cleanup in Calif. Cities
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Major California cities say they’ll use their share of a $650 million settlement to clean up the now-banned chemical PCB from polluted bays, lakes and other waterways. The giant chemical company Monsanto announced the tentative agreement Wednesday with government entities that had filed suit since 2015 over polluted waterways and estuaries.…… MORE
Calif. Considers 1st-in-US Electric Truck Sales Rule
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – California regulators are scheduled to approve new rules that would force automakers to sell more electric work trucks and delivery vans in the state. It’s a first-of-its-kind rule aimed at helping the nation’s most populous state clean up its worst-in-the-nation air quality. The rules would require a certain percentage of work…… MORE
Cal Ag Suffers Big Losses
According to a California Farm Bureau Federation news release, pandemic-related losses to California farms, ranches and agricultural businesses will range between $5.9 billion and $8.6 billion this year. That potential financial loss is part of an economic study released this week. The analysis says the state’s agricultural sector has already suffered $2 billion in losses so…… MORE
