USDA

USDA Seeks Nominees for Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

July 8, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations from specialty crop stakeholders to serve on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (FVIAC). The deadline for nominations is Sept. 3, 2024 …

USDA Issues Recommended Decision Proposing Amendments to all Eleven Federal Milk Marketing Orders

July 5, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a Recommended Decision on its website proposing to amend the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The Recommended Decision follows a 49-day national hearing held from August 23, 2023, to January 30, 2024, in Carmel, Indiana, where USDA heard testimony and received evidence on 21 proposals from the dairy industry.  …

USDA Expands Insurance Options for Specialty and Organic Growers

July 5, 2024 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding coverage options by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. This is the first of several announcements this summer, which will include the expansion of the shellfish policy in the Northeast and new coverage for grape growers in the West and beyond. These expansions and other improvements build on other recent RMA efforts to better serve specialty crop producers and reach a broader group of producers.  …

ARS Develops New Disease-Resistance Traits for Sugarbeets

July 1, 2024 USDA Tellus

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have bred new disease-resistant sugarbeet lines using cutting-edge genome mapping technologies. By adapting these new genomic lines and genomic tools, plant breeders are now able to greatly improve the sugarbeet’s tolerance to disease.    …

Grocery Outlet Announces Fourteenth Annual Independence from Hunger Campaign

July 1, 2024 Grocery Outlet

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. launched its 14th consecutive Independence from Hunger Food Drive to combat food insecurity. From June 26 – July 31, the campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made bags of nonperishable foods at Grocery Outlet’s 470+ locations that will be distributed to local food agency partners. In addition, online donations made at GroceryOutlet.com/Donate will support Grocery Outlet’s Bay Area partner, Alameda County Community Food Bank. …