USDA Announces Financial Support For Specialty Crop Industry

USDA ANNOUNCES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SPECIALTY CROP INDUSTRY May 1, 2018 Source: USDA news release The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the funding of $7 million to support 11 projects in six states to develop solutions to challenges affecting the specialty crop industries that cross state boundaries. The awards are managed through the Specialty Crop Multi-State Program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service .

Healthy people waste the most food, study finds

A new study revealed that Americans waste nearly a pound of food per person each day, and those with higher quality diets are the worst offenders. The research, released by the USDA, University of Vermont, and University of New Hampshire, found that between 2007 and 2014, U.S. consumers wasted nearly 150,000 tons of food per day, which equals roughly 30 percent of the average daily calories consumed by all Americans combined.

Food | Chef Walter’s Flavors + Knowledge: Stuffed Rabbit With Peas

When rabbit meat is on the menu, expect controversy to follow. It is socially acceptable to use farm animals, such as cows and chickens, as food; however, many people balk at the idea of eating rabbit, according to several publications.

Weber County vegetable farmers dependent on Mexican workers

While the unseasonal weather is allowing local farmers to start plowing fields in February, the American Farm Bureau is lobbying for better access to foreign labor this summer for agriculture. The future of farming depends upon a program that allows Mexican seasonal workers to come here and return when the job is done, local farmers say.

Top StoryUSDA sanctions $1.3M PACA violator, three others

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has imposed sanctions on four produce firms for failing to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, including one for more than $1.3 million. Taylor Produce LLC, Rigby, Idaho, is restricted from the produce industry for failing to pay a $1,327,478 award in favor of an Idaho seller, with Alan Taylor Produce and Alan Taylor listed as members of the business.

Turkey Drive: Food pantry at Crawfordville Methodist Church prepares Thanksgiving feast

Mark your calendars: the 4th annual WTXL Turkey Drive benefiting America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend is set for Nov. 16. Last week, we took you to Tallahassee's HOPE Community, a place to stay for the homeless. Now WTXL is taking you to a Wakulla County food pantry where volunteers are making sure families have a Thanksgiving dinner.

2017 Specialty Crop Block Grants Awarded

The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded $296,405.62 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Marketing Service. The Kansas Department of Agriculture has been awarded $296,405.62 through the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Marketing Service.

Cornell awarded $130,000 to study new pest that threatens onion crops

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney met with local officials and agricultural leaders Wednesday to celebrate the award of $130,000 in state and federal matching funds to further Cornell University's study of a new pest that is threatening the region's $40 million onion and allium crops.

Official: Irma was ‘lethal’ for Florida citrus, other crops

Florida's famous oranges are still falling from trees and rotting on the ground weeks after Hurricane Irma, and the state's agriculture commissioner said Thursday there will be fewer Florida vegetables on Thanksgiving tables and a shortage of poinsettias at Christmas. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Florida farmers updated the state Senate Agriculture Committee that the storm damaged crops of all kinds, with losses topping $2.5 billion.

US continue supporting agrarian reform beneficiaries in Agusan

The United States Department of Agriculture in partnership of East West Seed Company continue supporting the agrarian reform beneficiaries in an effort to increase their farm and food production, Department of Agrarian Reform regional spokesperson Joie I. Ceballos told The Manila Bulletin on Monday. Twenty-five ARB members of DoA a Rosario CLOA Holders Vegetable Producers Association in Agusan del Norte have undergone an eight-month training on communal vegetable farming implemented by Winrock International in Caraga under the Philippine Cold Chain Project funded by USDA.