Author Archives: tanya brown

Florida is seeing an increase in new Hispanic farmers, a trend that is being observed across the United States. Hispanics make up the highest number of new farmers in the nation, followed by Asians, according to Tirso Moreno, general coordinator … Continue reading →

Farmers have been given the thumbs-up to plant genetically engineered sugar beets, but they must follow mandatory requirement for growing the crop. According to a press release from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the plants pose no … Continue reading →

Domestic asparagus producers can now be compensated for losses resulting from imports during the 2004-07 crop years. According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, asparagus producers were financially affected by a substantial increase in asparagus imports, which resulted in lower domestic … Continue reading →

The massive snow storm that covered half of the United States, producing two feet of snow in some parts of the Midwest and bringing a wintery mix of ice and snow in the Northeastern parts of the nation, could also … Continue reading →

Several students from universities across the country have been selected to attend USDA’s 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum. The forum — held Feb. 24-25 in Arlington, Va. — will give 24 students the opportunity to hear leaders from across the world … Continue reading →

An updated version of the National Organic Program Handbook is now available. The latest handbook, released Jan. 31, includes policy memos that address public concerns regarding use of natural flavors, access to the outdoors for livestock, reporting health and safety … Continue reading →

The USDA Commodity Credit Corporation, which helps stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, released interest rates for February 2011. The borrowing rate-based charge is 0.250, which is unchanged from January 2011, while the 1996 and subsequent crop year … Continue reading →

Sorghum producers will have a chance to vote on whether to continue or terminate the Sorghum Checkoff Program. USDA is conducting a mail-in ballot vote throughout the month of February to get producer input. The program was designed to strengthen … Continue reading →

Some of the nation’s largest farm groups have formed a coalition to improve the image of farmers and counter negative publicity they say has led to bad public policies and stopped producers from adequately supplying food to the American public. … Continue reading →