USDA
Senate confirms Perdue as secretary of agriculture
Sonny Perdue was sworn in as the 31st U.S. secretary of agriculture by fellow Georgian and Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Clarence Thomas in a brief ceremony April 25 at the Supreme Court... more »
GAP Harmonized Food Safety Standards to be updated
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is updating the Produce Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Harmonized Food Safety Standards for field operations, harvesting and postharvest operations. The changes will align the USDA food safety audit checklists... more »
USDA announces $12.1M for pest management, crop protection
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has made $12.1 in funding available through the Crop Protection and Pest Management (CPPM) Competitive Grants Program. The CPPM program supports research... more »
ASTA welcomes USDA plant breeding policy
USDA released for pre-publication a proposed rule-making notice related to plant breeding innovation. The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) has been actively engaged in discussions with the agency throughout the rule-making process. The association is... more »
Update: Industry endorses Sonny Perdue for USDA
President-elect Donald Trump is expected to nominate former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue for USDA secretary of agriculture, Bloomberg reports. The nomination is welcome news to American Farm Bureau, according to a statement from the association. "Gov.... more »
Conservation Stewardship Program application deadline approaching
The agricultural non-profit Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI) is urging farmers interested in receiving compensation for existing and additional conservation efforts to apply to USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) by Feb. 3 for consideration in... more »
AMS streamlines import process for certain vegetables
The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) participation in the government-wide International Trade Data System (ITDS) is expanding from a three-port pilot program to a nationwide pilot, which is accepting filings at all U.S. ports of entry.... more »
USDA announces $3.8M for research in support of organic farmers
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has made up to $3.8 million in funding available to support research, education and Extension to support organic farmers and ranchers as well as those adopting organic... more »
USDA awards $9.4M for pest management research
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $9.4 million to support 25 research and outreach projects that will help mitigate pests, weeds and diseases on farms and in communities. The awards are made... more »
Michigan ag department names specialty crop grant awardees
Michigan recipients of the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program have been named by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). “Each of these projects will help enhance of the growth of Michigan’s... more »
Current Issue
Veg Connections: Heat-tolerant broccolini can integrate with clover living mulch
Farm market survey shows labor, input costs driving farm market pricing
Bedner’s: Popular South Florida agritourism, farm market destination
Organic Grower: Good Humus Produce’s community mindset
Workforce solutions: best practices
Ag Labor Review: Bridging the political divide
Farm Market & Agritourism: Effective methods for collecting customer data
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