The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Akiptan, Inc., the Cherokee Nation Economic Development Trust Authority (CNEDTA) and the Shared Capital Cooperative have been approved or conditionally approved as intermediary lenders through the Heirs’ Property Relending Program (HPRP). Once HPRP loans with these lenders close, these lenders will help agricultural producers and landowners resolve heirs’ land ownership and succession issues.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture announced another installment in assistance to commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021. More than 18,000 producers will soon receive new or updated pre-filled disaster applications to offset eligible crop losses.
Read MoreThe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has named thirteen Southern University students as 1890 National Scholars.
With the selection of 133 scholars at nineteen universities, Southern University received the second largest number of scholars, 13.
Read MoreStarting in late August, a sample of producers around the country will receive Agricultural Survey questionnaires from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the storage of corn and soybeans on hand as of September 1st.
Read MoreThe Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development last week announced their upcoming “Partnerships That Build Community” tour to be held from Aug. 15 to Sept. 8.
Read MoreThe Crop Production report issued Friday by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) forecasted corn production down from 2021 and soybean production up from last year. Corn production is down 5% from last year, forecast at 14.4 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to increase their production 2% from 2021, forecast at 4.53 billion bushels.
Read MoreLouisiana corn for grain production is forecast at 84.9 million bushels, down 18 percent from 2021. Based on conditions as of August 1, yield is expected to average 175 bushels per acre, down 8 bushels from last year. Producers expect to harvest 485,000 acres of corn for grain, down 80,000 acres from 2021.
Read MoreU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announced that USDA is awarding $74 million in grants to improve health care facilities in rural towns across the Nation. These grants will help 143 rural health care organizations expand critical services for 3 million people in 37 states, Guam and Puerto Rico.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation's water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while supporting agricultural production.
Read MoreUSDA has processed more than 255,000 applications for the new Emergency Relief Program, providing to date more than $6.1 billion in payments to commodity and specialty crop producers to help offset eligible losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in two outreach and education efforts for farmers and ranchers, including those who are new to farming or who have been historically underserved by USDA programs. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is investing $10 million for agriculture-oriented taxpayer education as well as $4.5 million in outreach for the Conservation Reserve Program’s Transition Incentives Program (CRP TIP), which helps with access to land for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Both efforts help advance equity and access to USDA programs and agriculture.
Read MoreToday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) proposed rule in the Federal Register. With this publication, USDA proposes requirements for organic poultry and livestock living conditions, care, transport, and slaughter.
This new proposed OLPS rule would change the USDA organic regulations to promote a fairer and more competitive market for organic livestock producers, by making sure that certified USDA livestock products are produced to the same consistent standard.
Read MoreLocal staff from USDA offices around the world were in the United States recently, exchanging information with American farmers and producers and learning firsthand how U.S. agricultural systems and processes work.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service has nearly 100 overseas offices covering 180 countries. The agency serves as the eyes, ears, and voice of U.S. agriculture overseas. In addition to U.S. Foreign Service officers, FAS employs 320 local staff whose insight into local culture, politics, and business makes them an invaluable asset to FAS and American farmers, ranchers, and producers.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has processed more than 255,000 applications for the new Emergency Relief Program (ERP). USDA has made approximately $6.1 billion, to date, in payments to commodity and specialty crop producers to help offset eligible losses from qualifying 2020 and 2021 natural disasters. By breaking-down agency barriers, using existing data across USDA and pre-filled applications, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in cooperation with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) has been able to expediently provide economic relief and save producers and staff over a million hours of time.
Read MoreHouse Agricultural Committee Chairman Rep. David Scott (D-GA) recently introduced the Small Family Farmer and Rancher Relief Act (H.R. 8590). The act attempts to serve small farmers and ranchers in the cattle industry and address a “growing crisis” in decreasing cattle numbers.
The measure is intended to take a “two-pillar approach” to expanding and diversifying marketing opportunities while helping ranchers to preserve their operations for future generations.
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