USDA
USDA Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative promotes industry improvements
Through the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is working to provide additional support to and increase the competitiveness of the specialty crops sector. The effort is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s... more »
House committee investigates EPA’s Chlorpyrifos decision
In the wake of a federal appeals court decision that ruled the Environmental Protection Agency erred in banning the pesticide chlorpyrifos, House Committee on Oversight of Accountability Chairman James Comer continues to investigate the decision.... more »
USDA declares Hurricane Idalia disaster area for Georgia growers
Nearly 30 counties in southeast Georgia are eligible for disaster assistance from damage caused by Hurricane Idalia, which struck the state on Aug. 30. The storm damaged state fruit, vegetable and pecan production, groves and... more »
USDA committee seeks urban agriculture ideas
The Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) is one of several ways that USDA extends support and builds frameworks to support urban agriculture, including issues of equity, climate resilience and nutrition access. The... more »
USDA awards grants for local, regional food support
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service has awarded more than $32 million for 98 grant projects to expand and strengthen local and regional food systems and increase the availability of locally grown agricultural products. The funding... more »
Organic Integrity Database expands with import functions
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has expanded the functionality of its Organic Integrity Database, adding an import certificate module. The new module augments the Trade Partner module, launched in May. Together, they make up... more »
Legislation supported by Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance
The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, has endorsed nutrition and organic... more »
Marketing agency adds USDA grant writing to services
Moxxy Marketing has worked with multiple specialty crop commodity groups to submit applications and obtain funding through USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grants. AMS grants are designed to fund projects “that enhance the marketability and... more »
USDA extends specialty crop grants deadline
The USDA has extended the deadline for the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program Request for Applications (RFA). The Specialty Crop Multi-State Program RFAs must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. by Jan. 31, 2024. Applications received after this... more »
New crop insurance options include organic transition coverage
The USDA is beefing up crop insurance options for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from farmers and ranchers. To do this, USDA’s Risk Management Agency... more »