Census of Agriculture data says American producers saw some improvement in internet access from 2017 to 2022. Across rural America, the percentage of farm operations or operator residences with internet access increased from 75.4% in 2017 to 78.7% in 2022. While many of the southeastern states still lag behind the U.S. average, most of them…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
California Proposes Credit Cap on Renewable Diesel
Farm Policy News says the California Air Resources Board is proposing to cap the amount of renewable diesel made from soybean or canola oil that would qualify for the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Some of the proposed changes for California’s LCFS would also require feedstocks like soybeans to be certified as meeting sustainability criteria.…… MORE
USDA to Expand Beef Testing for Bird Flu
The USDA will expand slaughterhouse testing for H5N1 in beef entering the food supply as a part of its response plan to combat the ongoing outbreak in dairy cattle. Officials say the tests will begin mid-September and urge livestock workers to remain vigilant. The Print says almost 200 herds in 13 states have contracted the…… MORE
Million Dollar State Grant For Westlands Water District
Westlands Water District is announcing that The California Department of Water Resources is awarding the district the $1,000,000 grant. That money is part of DWR’s Flood Diversion Recharge Initiative. The announcement goes on to say the grant will assist the State’s efforts to reduce flooding by increasing flood flow diversion volumes to recharge areas and…… MORE
USDA Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture intends to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technical Assistance Provider and Third-Party Verifier Program Advisory Council. USDA is also seeking nominations for Council membership. The new Council is authorized by the Growing Climate Solutions Act also known as GCSA. The GCSA was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations…… MORE
Water Deliveries Soon End For Fresno Irrigation District
Fresno Irrigation District says the FID Board of Directors made the decision at their regular meeting earlier this month to end deliveries to agricultural customers on August 31st. FID provided a 5-month water season starting on April 1st because of strong March storms. The FID announcement also points out that deliveries continued despite a rapid…… MORE
Petition to Clarify Labels on Farm Products
A coalition of attorney generals is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to implement a new rule that would create uniform labeling requirements on pesticide products across the country. The coalition believes by streamlining the process and preempting what they say is misbranding in states like California, the rule would lift the burdens currently placed on…… MORE
USDA Updates Farm Loan Programs
The USDA is making changes to the Farm Service Agency’s Farm Loan Programs that take effect on September 25th. The changes are intended to increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable. These improvements are part of the Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans rule. “USDA recognizes that Farm Service Agency’s…… MORE
New Help For Farmland Transfer
American Farmland Trust released a new resource that’s available in English and Spanish to build the skills and knowledge of beginning farmers and ranchers participating in a transfer. The “Transitioning Land to a New Generation: Land Transfer Training” curriculum helps to face a pressing need as millions of acres of American agricultural lands are expected…… MORE
CBO Says House Farm Bill Cost Will Raise Deficit
The Congressional Budget Office released an official cost estimate of the House Ag Committee’s farm bill and says it’s $33 billion over budget and fails to pay for a large increase in crop subsidies. House Ag Chair GT Thompson says if the CBO doesn’t change its mind, he’ll rely instead on the House Budget Committee…… MORE
