USDA
Southern growers to benefit from Helene recovery funding
Georgia will receive more than $531 million in federal assistance through a block grant agreement to help producers recover from Hurricane Helene, while South Carolina will receive more than $38.3 million. USDA announced the grants,... more »
USDA, Labor department investigating high farm input costs
The USDA and Department of Justice (DOJ) are investigating high farm input costs. The agencies have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to immediately begin jointly scrutinizing input costs for farmers. U.S. farm production inputs... more »
Senate committee to hear testimony on USDA reorganization
The Senate Agriculture Committee will hear from the No. 2 official at the USDA this week about the department’s reorganization plan. The plan, announced July 24, would shift more than half of the agency’s Washington,... more »
USDA ending Regional Food Business Centers program
The USDA is ending a program that supported the development of small farms, local food businesses and regional food supply chains in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a July 15 statement, the USDA’s... more »
USDA opens $16 billion in disaster aid for farmers
Farmers who suffered crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for assistance through the USDA’s new Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), the agency announced. The program will distribute up... more »
NCAE urges USDA to stop government grant abuse
The National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE) is urging the USDA to investigate allegations of farmworker union abuse and, if warranted, issue a report and refer the matter for criminal prosecution. The NCAE contends farmworkers... more »
USDA takes ‘bold action’ to ban Chinese farmland ownership, elevate farm security
The USDA launched its National Farm Security Action Plan on July 8 during a cabinet-level event aimed at barring China and other “foreign adversaries” from acquiring U.S. farmland, signaling a new front in national and... more »
Growers appointed to Farm Service agencies
Two vegetable growers — including a farm market founder — have been named to head state Farm Service Agencies (FSA). Alaska vegetable, onion and melon grower Arthur Keyes was appointed executive director of the Alaska’s... more »
Young Farmers group condemns House SNAP, ag cuts
The National Young Farmers Coalition (Young Farmers) is sounding the alarm about devastating cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other ag programs. The House Agriculture Committee’s May 13-14 markup of the Budget... more »
$60B addition farm bill ag programs proposal faces rough road
A Republican proposal to add $60 billion in farm bill programs to the agriculture portion of a mega “Reconciliation Bill” hinges on securing votes for a controversial overhaul to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The... more »
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