Tag: USDA
USDA unveils urban agriculture toolkit for urban farmers, agribusiness entrepreneurs
The USDA has unveiled the USDA Urban Agriculture Toolkit, a new resource created by the agency’s Know Your Farmer team to help entrepreneurs.
New loans for portable farm storage and handling equipment
The USDA is providing a new financing option to help farmers purchase portable storage and handling equipment.
USDA expands safety net for dairy operations
Dairy farms participating in the Margin Protection Program can update their production history when an eligible family member joins.
School loan repayment awards for veterinarians serving in shortage areas who meet eligibility standards
The USDA is accepting applications for loan repayment grants for veterinarians willing to serve in parts of Virginia with shortages of vets.
USDA report: Pesticide residues on food well below amounts dangerous to humans
Any pesticide chemical residue found on samples of various foods tested by the USDA fell below levels that could pose a safety risk.
Latest dietary guidelines: Healthy eating patterns vital to good health
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Health and Human Services released its most recent dietary guidelines.
USDA Specialty Crop Block Grants available for Virginia agricultural interests
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting applications for USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crop Block Grant funding.
USDA, US Chamber foundation to promote ag jobs to veterans
The USDA announced a joint agreement with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to increase employment opportunities in the agricultural sector for military veterans and their spouses.
Area businesses awarded clean energy grant
The USDA Virginia Rural Development office announced $107,500 in clean energy grants to help seven rural Virginia businesses and one individual.
Avoid a food safety penalty this Super Bowl Sunday
The Super Bowl is already the most-watched television program in the United States, and this year’s 50th game is sure to take the experience to a whole new level.
Virginia corn yields were good in 2015, though acreage was down
Virginia corn growers had good weather and great yields in 2015, according to the latest crop production estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Virginia receives funds for food assistance for senior citizens
A federal appropriation of $279,488 will allow 5,000 low-income, senior Virginians to receive a monthly allotment of food from the USDA.
Virginia localities in Tidewater and Southside receive federal disaster declarations
The USDA has issued primary disaster designations for four Virginia counties due to losses caused by excessive rain and flooding that occurred Sept. 24-Oct. 6.
Huisken Meat Co. recalls beef products: Possible contamination
Huisken Meat Co., a Sauk Rapids, Minn. establishment, is recalling approximately 89,568 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with extraneous wood materials.
Farm profits down as 2015 ends
America’s farmers probably will see lower profits this year, according to the latest forecast by the USDA Economic Research Service.
USDA Rural Development invests $18 million at Bridgewater College
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office in Virginia announced today an $18 million low-interest loan for Bridgewater College that will be used to renovate three residence halls.
USDA explains why food safety should be at the top of all of our holiday lists
With Thanksgiving behind us, the holiday season is just gearing up. The next few weeks are full of good cheer and plenty of food.
New multi-state specialty crop grants available for Virginia producers
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has selected 18 state departments of agriculture to participate in the 2015 Specialty Crop Multi-State Program (SCMP).
Funding available for forestry practices on Virginia lands
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now making $470,000 available through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to help increase adoption of forestry practices statewide.
Warner, Kaine announce nearly $3 million in USDA funding to support Virginia agriculture
Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $2,996,643 in grant funding to small businesses throughout Virginia. Today’s funding will support operations and marketing at local farms, ranches, wineries and other product-based small businesses that contribute to the agricultural industry in Virginia.
Virginia, Maryland awarded nearly $5 million in federal funds to install ethanol pumps
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Virginia, in partnership with Maryland, was selected for a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant totaling nearly $5 million to install ethanol refueling infrastructure in Virginia.
USDA invests $63 million to support renewable energy, energy efficiency projects
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced this week $63 million in loans and grants for 264 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects nationwide that USDA is supporting through its Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).
Funding available for rural broadband loan program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of loans to build broadband in rural areas.
Enrollment opens for 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program
Dairy farmers’ enrollment period in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Margin Protection Program began July 1 and will run through Sept. 30 for coverage in 2016.
Farmers using fertilizer with record-breaking efficiency
Farmers are growing more crops with less fertilizer, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The latest fertilizer application rate data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that in 2014, U.S. farmers more than doubled corn production using only 4.5 percent more fertilizer nutrients than in 1980.
USDA report: Biosecurity critical in preventing spread of avian influenza
In a new report released June 15, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said the Avian Influenza (AI) that has devastated some Midwestern farms likely spread by several means – on machinery and workers, by rodents and possibly even by the wind.
USDA seeks applications for grants to help socially-disadvantaged producers
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications to provide technical assistance to socially-disadvantaged groups in rural areas.
Veterinarians who serve rural areas may be eligible to receive loan repayment for college debt
The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for loan repayment grants for veterinarians willing to serve in parts of Virginia with moderate to critical shortages of food animal veterinarians.
USDA announces $30 million available for food entrepreneurs, agricultural producers to Develop New Product
The USDA is making $30 million available to farmers, ranchers and food entrepreneurs to develop new product lines. Funding will be made available through the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program.
Report: Tremendous growth for recent college graduates with agriculture degrees
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today a new report from the USDA showing tremendous demand for recent college graduates with a degree in agricultural programs.
USDA surveys provide the first clear signs of the production of major commodities for the 2015 crop year
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services today announced that the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey.
USDA reminds farmers to certify conservation compliance by June 1
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reminding farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form, AD-1026.
Virginia farm numbers down slightly from 2013
The number of farms in Virginia in 2014 is estimated at 45,900, down 100 from 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
USDA reminds farmers to certify conservation compliance by June 1 deadline
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds farmers that the 2014 Farm Bill requires producers to file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification form (AD-1026) with their local USDA service center by June 1, 2015, in order to become or remain eligible for crop insurance premium support.
USDA grant to benefit 11 Virginia farmers markets
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced that a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant will help 11 Virginia farmers markets increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables for food-insecure shoppers, while also benefitting small and mid-sized farmers.
USDA finalizes procedures for sorghum referendum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced procedures for the upcoming sorghum referendum regarding the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff Program.
Governor McAuliffe announces federal job skills grant
Governor Terry McAuliffe announced this week that Virginia has been awarded a $22.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a pilot program to help increase job skills training for SNAP recipients.
Vilsack: Asian trade agreement could benefit Virginia agriculture
As good as Virginia’s agricultural exports have gotten, they could increase even more with the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Farmers get a deadline extension
Virginia grain and row crop farmers have a few more weeks to update their records at a local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency office.
National Agricultural Statistics Service surveying what farmers intend to plant in 2015
The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey approximately 82,000 of the nation’s farmers to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season.
USDA extends deadline to update base acres, yield history for ARC/PLC programs
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Monday that a one-time extension will be provided to producers for the new safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC).
Agriculture mediation services available for farm-related disputes
Mediation is a valuable tool for resolving the occasional agriculture-related dispute before it ends up in court.
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