Author Archives: tanya brown

Funding Available to Implement Conservation Practices on Organic Farmland

Posted on December 20, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA is offering up to $20,000 for organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement resource conservation practices on their land. Farmers certified through USDA’s National Organic Program, those transitioning to certified organic production and those who meet … Continue reading →

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Weight Exception Granted for Trucks Carrying Crops in Florida

Posted on December 17, 2010 by tanya brown

An emergency order lifting weight restrictions on trucks carrying crops threatened by the Florida freeze has been extended. Florida Gov. Charlie Crist originally lifted the order on Dec. 10 to help farmers harvest most of their crops before they were … Continue reading →

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USDA Releases Environmental Impact Statement on Genetically Modified Alfalfa

Posted on December 17, 2010 by tanya brown

USDA released an environmental impact statement yesterday that evaluates the effects of deregulating genetically engineered alfalfa resistant to broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate, commercially known as Roundup. The statement lists two preferred options that take into consideration plant pest issues and how … Continue reading →

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Protecting Crops and Livelihood

Posted on December 16, 2010 by tanya brown

For Florida farmer Tom Perryman, risking sleep and resources to protect his 130 acres of sweet corn from record-low freezing temperatures is part of the gamble farmers take. Perryman slept one hour out of 26 to light Tiki torches and … Continue reading →

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Fungus Could Hurt TX Citrus Industry Sales

Posted on December 16, 2010 by tanya brown

A fungus has attacked the citrus industry in Texas, creating a possible hardship for growers and distributors. Sweet orange scab is a fungus originally thought not to be in the U.S. It was spotted earlier this year in the eastern … Continue reading →

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Sign-up for Natural Disaster Assistance Program Opens in Jan.

Posted on December 15, 2010 by tanya brown

Sign-up for the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program opens next month for farmers and ranchers who suffered losses caused by natural disasters during the 2009 crop year. “This program provides a tremendous amount of assistance to producers who have … Continue reading →

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USDA Commemorates 1-Year Anniversary to Cut Dairy Farm Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Posted on December 15, 2010 by tanya brown

Today marks the one-year anniversary of an historic agreement to help U.S. dairy producers cut greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement, which was signed Dec. 15, 2009, in Copenhagen, Denmark, allowed USDA and the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy to work … Continue reading →

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Speakers Announced for 2011 Ag Outlook Forum

Posted on December 15, 2010 by tanya brown

Speakers have been announced for the 2011 Agricultural Outlook Forum hosted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The annual event — held Feb. 24-25 in Arlington, Va. — will feature a six-person plenary panel along with experts in 25 breakout … Continue reading →

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MIDAS Project Moves to Blueprinting Phase

Posted on December 15, 2010 by tanya brown

The MIDAS project has moved into its next phase, which will identify requirements needed to help build a new information technology system that will improve the way farm program benefits are delivered to farmers and ranchers. Modernize and Innovate the … Continue reading →

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Applications Sought for $30 Million Biofuel Research Project

Posted on December 14, 2010 by tanya brown

The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking applications to fund projects that support the development of advanced biofuels. Up to $30 million in total funding will be given over the next three to four years to as many as five … Continue reading →

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