Category Archives: Agriculture News

USDA Funds Cal Conservation Innovation Projects

The USDA announced its awarding $25 million to conservation partners across the country for 18 new projects under the Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. This year’s awarded projects accomplish goals like increasing the adoption of new approaches and technologies to help agricultural producers mitigate the effects of climate change, increasing the resilience…MORE

USDA Hemp Survey

It is not too late to respond to the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The survey collects information on the acreage, yield, production, price and value of hemp in the United States. USDA NASS says, “Every response matters to ensure we have accurate data needed to inform…MORE

Supply Chain Fix Will Take Time

Supply chain issues are challenging the agricultural sector, and farmers and ranchers hoping for quick solutions may be out of luck. The Associated Press reports a significant backlog of ships entering U.S. waters out west and fewer ships making a voyage back across the ocean as a big reason that U.S. exports have slowed down.…MORE

USDA Help For Organic Operations

The Department of Agriculture is offering pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to certified organic producers or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program. During the COVID-19 pandemic, certified organic and transitional operations faced challenges due to loss of markets, and…MORE

Deere Workers Reject Deal

Deere and Company employees again rejected a tentative contract agreement. 55% of John Deere employees who belong to the UAW voted down the agreement. UAW says the strike will continue as they discuss next steps with the company. This is the second tentative contract agreement rejected by Deere workers during the strike. The latest contract…MORE

USDA Provides $1.8 Billion to Offset Market Fluctuations

The Department of Agriculture is in the process of issuing $1.8 billion in payments to agricultural producers. The funds are for farmers enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2020 crop year. The payments provide support to help mitigate fluctuations in either revenue or prices for certain crops. These two…MORE

Reducing US and China Trade Tensions

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke during a recent meeting of the National Chicken Council and discussed the relationship between the U.S. and China. She says her recent interactions with China were intended to bring down the temperature of a trading relationship that’s become heated in recent months. Tai describes the relationship between the two…MORE

More Specialty Crop Grants

The Department of Agriculture is making available more than $243 million in grants to support specialty crops. The funding is available through two USDA programs, the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants program. USDA is investing $169.9 million through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to support farmers growing…MORE

California Republicans Want Water Hearing

According to a news release from Congressman David Valadao, he along with the entire California Republican Delegation sent a formal request to the House Natural Resources Committee and the Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee. That request is asking for an oversight hearing on the Biden administration’s decision to override career Bureau of Reclamation employees and…MORE

Thanksgiving Dinner Will Cost More

While last year’s cost of a Thanksgiving Day dinner was the lowest it had been since 2010, this year could be quite a bit different.   A New York Times report says it could be the most expensive dinner on record in the holiday’s history. Nearly every part of the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner will…MORE