USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Releases Federal Milk Marketing Order Final Decision

November 18, 2024 Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative

Unlike most producers who are members of manufacturing cooperatives, Edge producers who were pooled in January 2024 will have the privilege to decide individually whether to vote to approve or disapprove proposed changes. In making that decision, they should be aware that the decision to disapprove the proposed reforms is a vote to completely eliminate their Federal Milk Marketing Order. 

USDA Announces Dates for the California Almond Continuance Referendum

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will conduct a referendum Dec. 4-20, 2024, among California almond growers to determine their level of support for continuing their federal marketing order.

USDA Seeks Public Comment on the Importation of Orchid Plants for Planting in Approved Growing Media from Germany and the Netherlands into the United States

Based on the findings from the pest risk analysis, APHIS is proposing to allow the importation of orchid plants into the United States under certain conditions.

USDA Launches $15 Million Program to Promote Organic Dairy Products in Schools and Youth Programs

November 5, 2024 USDA AMS

The initiative was announced by USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt during a visit to Vermont. Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the program will increase consumption of organic dairy products among children and young adults while creating new opportunities for small and mid-sized organic dairy producers.

Satisfying Fruit and Vegetable Recommendations Possible for Under $3 a Day, Data Analysis Shows

Estimates are calculated for each product as it is sold in grocery stores on a dollars-per-pound basis or, in the case of juice, on a dollars-per-pint basis. To convert average retail prices into costs per cup equivalent, ERS researchers made adjustments for the removal of inedible parts and cooking loss that typically occur before consumption.