USDA
Supplemental American Rescue Plan funding available
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced supplemental American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). The program will receive a total of $130 million in supplemental American Rescue Plan... more »
Michigan growers to be surveyed about chemical practices
A sample of vegetable growers across Michigan will soon be contacted by the USDA NASS Great Lakes Region to participate in a set of surveys focusing on nutrient and fertilizer use, pesticide applications, and pest... more »
US asparagus crop value up; onions and strawberries down
The U.S. asparagus crop value are estimated to be up from last year, while values for onions and asparagus have dropped. National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) office in Olympia, Washington recently reported vegetable production estimates... more »
USDA halts plans for new organic marketing board
The USDA has ended a proposed rule to establish a national research and promotion program for certified organic products. The decision also terminates the proposed rule on referendum procedures. USDA based the termination on lack... more »
USDA has ‘no plans to regulate’ innovative plant breeding
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue March 28 issued a statement providing clarification on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) oversight of plants produced through innovative new breeding techniques which include techniques called genome editing.... more »
$8.4 M for growers who are veterans or disadvantaged
Growers who are veterans of the armed forces or who are socially disadvantaged will have access to up to $8.4 million of USDA funding, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office announced March 26. The funding... more »
Michigan ag director headed for national USDA post
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams has been hired as an advisor in the office of the secretary of the USDA. Top: U.S. Agriculture Secretary... more »
Ag secretary talks of options for labor reform
Growers may feel discouraged about ag labor policy, but the country’s top agriculture official is upbeat about the future. During a Feb. 1 visit to Michigan, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue discussed legislative work that’s... more »
Farmers.gov unveiled by US Ag secretary
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue Thursday morning debuted Farmers.gov, a grower-friendly, “one-stop shop” maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Purdue unveiled the website Feb. 1 at a breakfast hosted by the Michigan... more »
Soil at the root of organic growing, grower group argues
The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is raising concern with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent statement that “Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been... more »
Current Issue
Southeast Honors: Produce groups honor growers, Extension
Specialty crop industry braces for policy shifts
Michigan ag leaders spearhead H-2A education campaign
Organic Grower: Cattail Organics
Fresh Views: Overlap between practical & economic
Farm Market & Agritourism: Crafting a strong value proposition for retail farm markets
Ag Labor Review: Ag labor forum
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