Kansas Corn is again partnering with K-State Research and Extension to host regional K-State Corn Production Management Schools to be held in January in western, central and eastern Kansas, and Corn Pre-Plant Schools in February. These corn schools are designed to provide corn producers with in-depth training targeted for corn producers. The schools are hosted by Kansas Corn and K-State Research and Extension, and are sponsored by Pioneer. These sessions are free for farmers to attend, and we will work to ensure CCA credits are available. Scroll down for agendas for each region and for our online registration form. The one-day schools include up-to-date and specific corn topics including: corn management, high-yielding corn factors, weed control, soil fertility, market and policy perspectives. The schools include lunch.
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2019 Kansas Corn Winter Workshops
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Kansas Corn is again partnering with K-State Research and Extension to host regional K-State Corn Production Management Schools to be held in January in western, central and eastern Kansas, and Corn Pre-Plant Schools in February. These corn schools are designed to provide corn producers with in-depth training targeted for corn producers. The schools are hosted by Kansas Corn and K-State Research and Extension, and are sponsored by Pioneer. These sessions are free for farmers to attend, and we will work to ensure CCA credits are available. Scroll down for agendas for each region and for our online registration form. The one-day schools include up-to-date and specific corn topics including: corn management, high-yielding corn factors, weed control, soil fertility, market and policy perspectives. The schools include lunch.
2019 Kansas Corn Winter Workshops
Published On
Kansas Corn is again partnering with K-State Research and Extension to host regional K-State Corn Production Management Schools to be held in January in western, central and eastern Kansas, and Corn Pre-Plant Schools in February. These corn schools are designed to provide corn producers with in-depth training targeted for corn producers. The schools are hosted by Kansas Corn and K-State Research and Extension, and are sponsored by Pioneer. These sessions are free for farmers to attend, and we will work to ensure CCA credits are available. Scroll down for agendas for each region and for our online registration form. The one-day schools include up-to-date and specific corn topics including: corn management, high-yielding corn factors, weed control, soil fertility, market and policy perspectives. The schools include lunch.
K-State Corn Production Schools scheduled
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MANHATTAN, Kan. — K-State Research and Extension, in partnership with Kansas Corn, is hosting several one-day Corn Production Schools at locations across eastern, central, and western Kansas this winter. Three will be offered in early January 2019 in Salina, Oakley, and Lawrence. In February, three Pre-Plant Corn Schools will be held in Parsons, Hesston, and Garden City.
Each school is free to attend and will provide in-depth training targeted for corn producers in those regions. The schools are coordinated with Kansas Corn and the primary sponsor is Pioneer.
“The schools will cover a number of issues facing corn producers in each region including: weed control, crop production practices, markets, nutrient management and soil fertility, insects, irrigation and disease management. These events have a long-standing tradition and reputation in offering a solid set of topics of great relevancy to our corn growers across the state of Kansas,” said Ignacio Ciampitti, associate professor and corn specialist in the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy.
Kansas Corn Director of Industry Relations Stacy Mayo-Martinez said participants will hear from a variety of speakers including other farmers. “At the January Corn Schools, we will feature farmers from each area who will talk about how they are incorporating various technologies and practices. At the Hesston, Garden City and Oakley schools, local farmers and specialists will talk about lessons and opportunities with irrigation tools and other technologies.”
A lunch will be provided at each school and CCA credits and commercial pesticide credits are available where applicable. Participants are asked to pre-register before Jan. 3 for the January Corn Management schools and before Feb. 4 for the Pre-Plant Schools. Online registration is available at kscorn.com/cornschool. Participants can also register by phone by calling Kansas Corn at 785-410-5009 or by contacting their local K-State Extension office.
Registration for each school is at 7:45 a.m. with the program running 8:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. More information about each school, including agendas, is available online at kscorn.com/cornschool. The dates and locations are:
Corn Management Schools
Jan. 7: Salina, Hilton Garden Inn, 3320 S. 9th St.
Jan. 9: Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, 3083 US-83
Jan. 11: Lawrence, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Flory Meeting Hall, 2120 Harper St.
Pre-Plant Corn Schools
Feb. 11: Parsons, Southeast Research and Extension Center, 25092 Ness Rd.
Feb. 13: Hesston, Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 W. Hickory St.
Feb. 15: Garden City, Pioneer Garden City Research Station, 1455 Parallel Rd.
For more information, contact: Ignacio Ciampitti at ciampitti@ksu.edu or 785-532-6940; or Mayo-Martinez at smayo@ksgrains.com.
— Kathy Gehl, K-State Research and Extension
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USDA updates functions during lapse in funding
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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture today updated its assessment of how the lapse in federal funding will affect services and programs should the government shutdown remain unresolved beyond December 31, 2018. Many services will carry on, while others will discontinue on January 1, 2019 because available funds have been expended.
Certain USDA activities would remain active because they are related to law enforcement, the protection of life and property, or are financed through available funding (such as through mandatory appropriations, multi-year discretionary funding, or user fees). During the first week of the shutdown, 62% of employees have been either exempted or excepted from shutdown activities. If the shutdown continues, this percentage would decrease, and activities would be reduced as available funding decreases.
USDA activities that will continue beyond January 1, 2019 include:
- Meat, poultry, and processed egg inspection services.
- Grain and other commodity inspection, weighing, grading, and IT support services funded by user fees.
- Inspections for import and export activities to prevent the introduction and dissemination of pests into and out of the U.S., including inspections from Hawaii and Puerto Rico to the mainland.
- Forest Service law enforcement, emergency and natural disaster response, and national defense preparedness efforts.
- Continuity and maintenance of some research measurements and research-related infrastructure, such as germplasm, seed storage, and greenhouses.
- Care for animals, plants, and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research and to comply with the Wild Horses and Burros statute.
- Eligible households will still receive monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for January.
- Most other domestic nutrition assistance programs, such as the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, WIC, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, can continue to operate at the State and local level with any funding and commodity resources that remain available. Additional Federal funds will not be provided during the period of the lapse, however deliveries of already-purchased commodities will continue.
- The Child Nutrition (CN) Programs, including School Lunch, School Breakfast, Child and Adult Care Feeding, Summer Food Service and Special Milk will continue operations into February. Meal providers are paid on a reimbursement basis 30 days after the end of the service month.
- Minimal administrative and management support, including to excepted IT systems and contracts, will be maintained to support the above activities.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service offices will remain open to support conservation technical and financial assistance (such as Environmental Quality Incentives Program and easement programs).
- Market Facilitation Program payments for producers that have already certified production with the Farm Service Agency.
- Trade mitigation purchases made by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
- Agricultural export credit and other agricultural trade development and monitoring activities.
- USDA’s Market News Service, which provides market information to the agricultural industry.
USDA activities which would not be continued include:
- USDA Farm Service Agency county offices will close at the end of business on Friday, December 28, 2018.
- Provision of new rural development loans and grants for housing, community facilities, utilities and businesses.
- Recreation sites across the U.S. National Forest System, unless they are operated by external parties under a recreational special use permit, will be closed. While technically closed, many will still be physically accessible to visitors at their own risk, but without staffing at ranger stations and without access to facilities such as public restrooms.
- New timber sales.
- Most forest fuels reduction activities in and around communities.
- NASS statistics, World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, and other agricultural economic and statistical reports and projections.
- Assistance for the control of some plant and animal pests and diseases unless funded by cooperators or other non-appropriated sources.
- Research facilities except for the care for animals, plants and associated infrastructure to preserve agricultural research.
- Provision of new grants or processing of payments for existing grants to support research, education, and extension.
- ERS Commodity Outlook Reports, Data Products, research reports, staff analysis, and projections. The ERS public website would be taken offline.
- Most departmental management, administrative and oversight functions, including civil rights, human resources, financial management, audit, investigative, legal and information technology activities.
- Mandatory Audits (Financial Statements, FISMA, and potentially Improper Payments) will be suspended and may not be completed and released on the date mandated by law.
For more information, please view a summary of USDA’s shutdown plans (PDF, 75.2 KB).
In addition, you may view a list of shutdown plans by USDA agency and office. Note that the National Finance Center information can be found on pages 7 to 9 of the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) document on that page.
–USDA
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UMass offers online Pasture Management Class
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AMHERST, Mass. — UMass professor, Dr. Masoud Hashemi will offer an online version of his popular Pasture Management class this spring as part of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture Sustainable Food and Farming Online Degree Program. This class is designed for both new and experienced farmers who manage all types of grazing livestock including horses.
It is well known that forages in form of pasture, hay, and silage have the potential to provide all the nutritional needs for livestock and horses. Well-managed forage systems including planned grazing contribute significantly to the sustainability of animal operations and can enhance environmental quality at the same time. This course covers the principles of pasture and hay field management which can be implemented in all farms regardless of the type of animal being raised. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired basic knowledge about the benefits of pasture as the main source of animal diets, identification and growth pattern of grasses and legumes commonly grown in pastures and hay fields, forage quality and testing and factors affecting forage quality, grazing and/or harvesting management of forages to maximize their health and productivity, managing existing pastures and hay fields, and establishing new pastures and hay fields.
Options for extending the grazing period such as stockpiling forages, using grain corn field residues, dual purpose cover crops, and summer annual forages will be discussed. Due to differences between horses and other livestock in terms of grazing habit, nutritional need and sensitivity to poisonous plants, specific recommendations will be given for equine operations.
STOCKSCH 211 – Pasture Management is a 3-credit college level class and maybe used to satisfy the degree requirements for the UMass Sustainable Food and Farming 15-credit Certificate, the 60-credit Associate of Science and/or the 120-credit Bachelor of Science degree programs. Credits may also be transferred to other colleges or universities. The UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture Sustainable Food and Farming program is the only online program in the U.S. that offers 40 online classes that may be taken either individually or toward completion of one of these three fully online degrees.
In addition to Pasture Management, spring classes include other courses on Pastured Poultry, as well as Small Farm Husbandry of Cows, Sheep and Goats for Meat Production. Spring classes begin on January 22, 2019 and registration is now open. For more information on Pasture Management and the other online classes offered this spring semester, please see: https://onlinesustfoodfarm.com/.
–UMass Amherst
Stockbridge School of Agriculture
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UW-Madison CALS year in review
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MADISON — The end of the year is a great time to look back and reflect on the accomplishments of the CALS community. Here are some of the stories that made 2018 a memorable year for the college.
Scientists identify corn that fixes its own nitrogen, needing less fertilizer
In August, Jean-Michel Ané, professor of bacteriology and agronomy, along with researchers at the University of California, Davis and Mars, Inc., announced they had identified varieties of tropical corn from Oaxaca, Mexico that can acquire nitrogen from the air by cooperating with bacteria. This finding opens the door to developing commercial corn varieties with a reduced need for fertilizer. Dean VandenBosch penned an op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel championing the discovery.
New summer early-start program, QuickStart, helps incoming freshmen
Over the summer months, 103 incoming freshmen were part of the inaugural CALS QuickStart class, starting their coursework early and having the opportunity to earn two credits before the official start of the fall semester. The students received tailored academic and career planning, and took part in early networking opportunities. The goal of the program is to help students earn their degrees on time and on budget, make the most of their college experiences, and get a swift start to their careers.
Celebration marks launch of Babcock Hall construction project
In September, CALS hosted a celebration to mark the launch of a major construction project for campus’ Babcock Hall. The $47M project involves the renovation of the Babcock Hall Dairy Plant, as well as a new, three-story addition for the Center for Dairy Research (CDR). In August, UW–Madison bid farewell to Science House to make way for the project.
Study identifies factors associated with rural “brain gain”
Community and environmental sociology’s Randy Stoecker led a study exploring 12 communities that are managing to grow their young adult population, looking for the keys to their successes. The findings, which indicate success comes from proximity to cities as well as housing, schools and outdoor amenities, were shared with the state’s rural community leaders through a Gaining and Maintaining Young People in Wisconsin Communities report.
CALS student helps lead beekeeping project in Uganda
Microbiology major Ciara Michel is one of few people who can say she has led a beekeeping operation in Uganda. Michel, along with two of her peer undergraduates, spent part of a summer in Uganda managing The Apiary Project, which benefits communities affected by civil war in Uganda. So far, the project has reached 169 households. The residents use the beekeeping income for food, medical bills, school fees, livestock and apiary expansion.
Study shows yogurt may dampen chronic inflammation linked to multiple diseases
Food science’s Brad Bolling published findings that contribute new evidence to the ongoing scientific debate about whether dairy reduces or promotes inflammation. The results of the study, which looked at yogurt consumption among 120 premenopausal women, half obese and half non-obese, indicate that yogurt may help dampen chronic inflammation. While some of the biomarkers remained steady over the duration of the study, the group assigned to eat yogurt experienced significant improvements in certain key markers.
CALS experts involved in Wisconsin Dairy Task Force 2.0
This summer marked the launch of the Wisconsin Dairy Task Force 2.0, a group tasked with studying the Wisconsin dairy industry and making recommendations on how to maintain a vibrant dairy industry in the state. A number of CALS personnel were called on to participate, including the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics’ Mark Stephenson, who was named chair of the group. The effort aims to help the state’s dairy producers, who, like other farmers in the state, are facing tough decisions as they deal with ongoing low commodity prices and new market uncertainties.
New Cryo-EM facility, led by biochemistry’s Elizabeth Wright, a powerful imaging resource for campus
In July, the Department of Biochemistry welcomed Elizabeth Wright to lead the department’s cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) facility, a new resource for campus researchers. Cryo-EM is a technique that helps researchers obtain atomic or near-atomic level resolution images of biological molecules by imaging with electrons. Using the technology, scientists can make new contributions to areas of enzymology, virology, cell biology and medicine.
CALS welcomes Blazek, Reinemann, Wassarman to leadership roles
In 2018, the college welcomed a number of individuals to CALS leadership roles, including Jennifer Blazek (left), director of Farm and Industry Short Course, in June; Doug Reinemann (center), associate dean for outreach and extension, in January; and Karen Wassarman (right), associate dean for academic affairs, in June.
Dairy Science’s Laura Hernandez was part of a team awarded a five-year, $1.5M R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may affect bone health in breastfeeding mothers. In her work with cows, Hernandez found that higher levels of circulating serotonin led to higher levels of calcium in the blood for some breeds. This raised concerns that breastfeeding mothers taking SSRIs to treat depression could be having calcium pulled from their bones. The research will explore this issue and ways to conserve bone calcium.
Marshfield Agricultural Research Station improves safety and accessibility of wagons
In July, a new wheelchair-accessible tour wagon debuted at the 2018 Farm Technology Days agricultural trade show, thanks to the efforts of equipment operators at Marshfield Agricultural Research Station (MARS) who transformed a couple of old bleacher-style tour wagons to be safer and more accessible. The wagons are just one part of a broader effort by the college to respond to a USDA civil rights review and make information and research generated by the college accessible to as many people as possible.
Popular on social media: UW helps communities create cleaner, greener wastewater
A phosphorus removal process, developed and commercialized by soil science’s Phillip Barak, is now being used at Madison’s regional sewage plant. The advance is designed to reduce the cost and environmental consequences of wastewater treatment, including reducing algae growth in local waterways. The pilot project was installed by Barak’s Nutrient Upcycling and Recovery company. This story resonated on CALS’ social media accounts and was among the college’s top performing Facebook posts.
Gift establishes $1.7M professorship in soil science
In April, the Department of Soil Science celebrated a new professorship established through a generous gift from emeritus professor Marv Beatty (center of photo, with Soil Science Chair Alfred Hartemink and Dean Kate VandenBosch). Beatty received his Ph.D. from the UW-Madison Department of Soil Science in 1955, and then went on to serve the department and UW-Extension for a total of 32 years.
— UW-Madison CALS
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Perdue applauds USDA's 2018 accomplishments
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the accomplishments made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over the past year. USDA has continued enacting President Trump’s goals of regulatory reform, streamlining government, and refocusing USDA to be customer oriented.
“In 2018 we have fought for American farmers, ranchers, and producers by delivering new and improved trade deals like USMCA and a re-negotiated KORUS agreement, provided trade assistance to farmers due to illegal trade retaliation, and helped our fellow citizens through devastating natural disasters,” Perdue said. “I am proud to say that every day at USDA we do our best to live by our motto to ‘Do Right and Feed Everyone.'”
SNAP Reform
USDA made major strides in reigning in dependence on government assistance by beginning the rule making process to move more able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to self-sufficiency. With today’s strong economy and more jobs available than there are workers, USDA’s proposal helps ensure the 3.8 million individual ABAWDs receiving SNAP benefits get back to work and on the path to self-sufficiency.
Hurricane Response
USDA has significant roles to play in helping agricultural producers recover from hurricane-related damage and improve agricultural resilience to disasters. USDA provided a broad range of assistance to residents, agricultural producers and impacted communities at large following Hurricanes Florenceand Michael in 2018. This assistance has included providing children affected by Hurricane Florence access to free meals, help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients replace food lost due to power outages and provide disaster food assistance to low-income families affected by storms who would not normally be eligible for the regular program but because of disaster related expenses have need for assistance, assistance to producers suffering damage to working lands and cattle mortality, helped businesses and utilities by considering requests to defer principal and/or interest payments, and provided emergency farm loans to impacted operations. In addition to offering similar assistance following Hurricane Michael, USDA also held workshops in the area where the hurricane made landfall to help connect producers with USDA programs that can help them rebuild their operations. Finally, USDA provided subject matter expertise to the FEMA Emergency Support Functions responding to these and other disasters as part of the whole-of-government effort.
Wildfires
In the past year, the USDA Forest Service treated more than 3.5 million acres to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health through timber sales and prescribed fire. The USFS treated an additional 2.5 million acres to improve watershed conditions, ecosystems, infrastructure, and provide clean water for millions of Americans. Additionally, the USFS fought multiple major wildfires in 2018 conjointly with local authorities.
Customer Service
USDA successfully merged the Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and the Farm Service Agency’s Commodity Operations programs to better meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, producers, and consumers while improving customer service and maximizing efficiencies.
USDA stood up a new Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) mission area, which encompass the USDA’s domestic-facing agencies: FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. The Department also launched the FPAC Business Center in 2018, which will eliminate redundant administrative support functions, including human resources, information technology, finance, procurement, and property management. USDA strives to be the most customer focused and customer-oriented department in the Federal government.
USDA also made other efforts to improve customer service across the agencies:
- Created “Tell Sonny” Online Feedback Tool: Through collaboration with the Centers of Excellence, USDA built an online feedback tool, called “Tell Sonny,” which captures citizen feedback on how USDA is doing.
- Optimized Infrastructure: USDA achieved $21.5 million in cost savings/avoidance by optimizing its Enterprise Data Centers, and by consolidating and closing a total of 23 data centers as part of the Data Center Optimization Initiative.
- Strengthened Cybersecurity: USDA decreased the number of critical vulnerabilities per endpoint by 62 percent and the number of high vulnerabilities by 73 percent, decreasing USDA’s weaknesses in software or hardware that can be exploited by a hacker.
- Reduced Fleet Size: After reviewing the motor fleet, USDA reduced its fleet size by over 4200 vehicles, which will potentially avoid an estimated $26 million in costs in fiscal year 2019.
Trade
Through the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the United States made major strides towards strengthening its highly productive and integrated trade relationship with its North American neighbors, ensuring preferential access for U.S. agricultural exports and solidifying commitments to fair and science-based trade rules.
USDA efforts to break down barriers and pursue export opportunities resulted in new or expanded market access for numerous U.S. farm products in 2018. These included dairy and poultry to Canada under the USMCA, as well as lamb and goat meat to Japan, beef and pork to Argentina, poultry to India and Namibia, lamb to El Salvador, beef and poultry to Morocco, eggs to South Africa and dairy to Turkey.
Foreign Agricultural Service staff around the globe assisted U.S. exporters in releasing hundreds of shipments that were detained at foreign ports. This ensured that more than $77 million of perishable U.S. products arrived safely at their final destinations. Among them were beef to Bulgaria, cherries to Taiwan, cranberries to China, lobsters to the United Arab Emirates and squid to Peru.
Trade Assistance to Farmers
In 2018, USDA provided a range of assistance to farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation by foreign nations. To help ensure this assistance reaches those affected, FSA is facilitating the Market Facilitation Program to provide payments to corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybean, and wheat producers; AMS is managing a Food Purchase and Distribution Program to purchase up to $1.2 billion in commodities that will be distributed through nutrition assistance programs and child nutrition programs; and FAS is making available $200 million to develop foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products.
Farm Bill
USDA provided over 2,000 items of technical assistance to members of Congress during the 2018 Farm Bill legislative process. In order to serve America’s farmers, producers, and ranchers to the best of our ability, USDA worked hand in hand with legislators to give technical assistance for dozens of programs affected by this year’s Farm Bill.
Eradication of Pink Bollworm and Other Invasive Species
In October, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that U.S. cotton is free — after more than 100 years — of the devastating pink bollworm. This pest cost U.S. producers tens of millions of dollars in yearly control costs and yield losses. Thanks to rigorous control and regulatory activities carried out by USDA, state departments of agriculture, the U.S. cotton industry, and growers, pink bollworm was eliminated from all cotton-producing areas in the continental United States. As a result, USDA lifted the domestic quarantine for pink bollworm, relieving restrictions on the domestic and international movement of U.S. cotton. APHIS and its partners also successfully eliminated feral swine from Maryland and New Jersey, and three additional States (Iowa, Maine, and Oregon) saw significant reductions in feral swine populations. Additionally, in FY18, APHIS declared two Ohio communities free of Asian longhorned beetle, in Monroe Township after a seven-year eradication effort and in Stonelick Township after a six-year effort.
National School Lunch Program
To make school meals more appealing to children, reduce food waste, and ease operational burdens, USDA published a final rule allowing for more flexibilities in the food served through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. This action is part of USDA’s Regulatory Reform Agenda, developed in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to eliminate unnecessary regulatory burdens.
Veterans
Secretary Perdue launched a USDA initiative to provide comprehensive and timely support to veteransinterested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. USDA wants to ensure veterans looking to return home, or start a new career on a farm or in a rural community have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. The resources include a veterans website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans.
USDA Agency Accomplishments
USDA is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country. While each mission area’s accomplishments may be found by using the links below, notable accomplishments are as follows:
- Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) collaborated across USDA agencies to develop and implement a program to purchase targeted commodities to assist farmers and ranchers affected by unfair trade tariffs.
- Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists at the Cotton Chemistry and Utilization Research Unit in New Orleans, Louisiana, developed TACgauze™ – a domestically-produced, nonwoven, cotton gauze made of greige (raw, unbleached) cotton. In comparison to standard crinkle-type gauzes made of processed cotton, TACgauze was found to be 33 percent lighter and 63 percent more absorbent in trials. It also promoted clotting more quickly. Commercialized in November, military services organizations are evaluating TACgauze for use by our warfighters on the battlefield and civilian organizations are exploring its widespread use in treating wounds.
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) played a vital role to ensure the free flow of agricultural trade by keeping U.S. agricultural industries free from pests and diseases. An example of this critical work is APHIS’ recent efforts to prevent African Swine Fever from entering the United States through a series of interlocking safeguards that includes working with producers, states and industry to ensure they are following biosecurity recommendations, restricting pork and pork imports from affected countries, and working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to train inspection dogs and increase screening vigilance for passengers and products arriving from affected countries.
- Economic Research Service (ERS) conducted a study on how agricultural production has shifted to much larger farming operations over the last three decades, even as the number of very small farms grows. Based on detailed farm-level data, Three Decades of Consolidation in U.S. Agriculturemeasured trends in consolidation and tracked developments in farm-level specialization as well as the organization of farming businesses.
- Farm Service Agency (FSA) added seed cotton as a covered commodity under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2018 crop year, which provides cotton producers access to USDA risk management tools that provide other covered commodities much-needed protection from low markets.
- Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspected more than 160 million head of livestock and 9.47 billion poultry carcasses. FSIS Inspectors also conducted 6.9 million food safety and food defense procedures across 6,500 regulated establishments to ensure meat, poultry and processed egg products were safe and wholesome.
- Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provided almost 13 million pounds of USDA Foods, valued at $18.6 million, and $5.6 million worth of infant formula and baby food, to ensure those whose lives were disrupted by disaster have the food they need as they got back on their feet.
- Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) facilitated $2 billion in exports of U.S. agricultural commodities to Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia through the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee Program. FAS rolled out the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program, which helps to mitigate the effects of other countries’ trade barriers by helping U.S. agricultural exporters develop new markets. A total of 71 organizations have applied for the program, submitting requests totaling more than $600 million, for funding that will be allocated in early 2019.
- Forest Service (USFS) made improvements in environmental analysis and decision-making to cut costs by $30 million, and reduced analysis time by 10 percent. The USFS worked with sister agencies to update policies and processes for more efficient application and implementation of mineral extraction and energy production projects. The agency also reformed wildland fire systems to prioritize risk-based resource allocation and lower costs while protecting lives, property, and resources.
- National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) launched a new, improved online survey questionnaire for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The new system is now in use for nearly 50 percent of NASS surveys with the remainder coming online as they are conducted. The user-friendly questionnaire is accessible on any device, calculates totals automatically, and skips questions that do not apply. In addition to being more convenient for respondents, it streamlines data collection and analysis for USDA.
- National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) delivered grants to the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development and Purdue Extension to host a quarterly webinar series, Combating Opioids, to make a difference in addressing opioid misuse and abuse, especially in rural communities. There have been over 575 participants from across the country on 5 webinars and over 1,000 views to archived presentations and materials housed on the project’s website
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided technical assistance to more than 900,000 land managers, and comprehensive planning assistance to over 100,000 producers in 2018. This work resulted in conservation plans for nearly 28 million acres. NRCS actions in 2018 also resulted in 33.3 million acres being treated with conservation practices to improve water quality, with estimated reductions of nutrient loss of 47,732 tons of nitrogen and 7,821 tons of phosphorus on cropland.
- Office of the Chief Economist (OCE) (PDF, 130 KB) in October, USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signed a joint agency formal agreement (PDF, 578 KB) launching the Winning on Reducing Food Waste initiative. This new agreement will improve coordination across federal agencies to better educate Americans on the impacts and importance of reducing food loss and waste.
- Risk Management Agency (RMA) provided more than $61 million in coverage following Hurricanes Florence and Michael. RMA paid more than $1.99 billion in claims for causes of loss related to drought for the 2018 reinsurance year. Claims for 2018 coverage totaled more than $3.29 billion.
- Rural Development (RD) invested in new and improved high-speed e-Connectivity for more than 45,000 rural homes and businesses, modernized rural electric infrastructure for more than 7 million customers, invested in new and improved water and wastewater infrastructure for nearly 3 million rural customers, and invested in new and improved community infrastructure including streets, transportation, aviation, ports, and water and storm water resources for 1.2 million rural Americans.
–USDA
Napa Valley Vintners, Napa Green awarded
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SACRAMENTO — The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and the Napa Green program were recently presented the prestigious 2018 Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) in Sacramento. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing California’s environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the state’s economy.
Vintner Bruce Cakebread traveled with the NVV team to attend the awards ceremony and has participated in the Napa Green program since it was founded over a decade ago. “I think the Napa Green program is one of the best green certification programs because it encourages continual improvement in your green efforts. Napa Green is third-party inspected and certified which ensures accountability of the participants and with the number of acres in Napa Green Land and the number of wineries Napa Green winery certified. Napa Green makes a positive impact on the whole Napa Valley,” said Cakebread.
Conceived as a collaboration between industry leaders, environmental groups and government agencies, the Napa Green Program encompasses both sustainable vineyard and sustainable winery practices. Since its inception in the early 2000s, more than half of all vineyard acreage in Napa County (25,000 acres) has been certified and more than 80 Napa wineries have enrolled-accounting for 40% of all sustainable winery certifications statewide. Other notable facts about the program include:
- Napa Green Certified landowners are committed to active restoration projects and have helped restore more than 20 miles of riverbank in the Napa River Watershed
- Vintners are ensuring that more than 75% of any waste generated by their operation is diverted from landfills
- Napa Green Certified wineries implement more than 100 measures, going beyond regulatory compliance, to achieve certification
In 2015 the NVV Board of Directors set an ambitious goal: for 100% of its members to participate in the program by 2020; currently more than 70% of eligible members are involved. Today, nearly 50 NVV members have dual certifications in the Napa Green Land and Winery programs.
The Napa Green environmental certification program for vineyards and wineries in Napa County is one of the most comprehensive environmental accreditations in the wine industry. The program takes a soil-to-bottle approach, integrating sustainable management practices at every step of the winemaking process. Napa Green Land and Winery owners are independently certified by third-party entities.
The Napa Green Land program works with Napa Valley property owners to assess their entire parcel and develop a custom farm plan. Each plan must meet and exceed environmental compliance requirements, reduce soil loss and preserve and restore sensitive habitats. The Napa Green Winery program works with producers to help them understand their water and energy use and waste management. Each participant receives an audit and detailed report to help them optimize facility resource use. Learn more at napagreen.org.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its 550 winery members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com.
–Napa Valley Vintners
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2019 Winter 'Road Show' schedule
Published On
WASHINGTON, N.C.–Please see the following schedule for our winter meetings in 2019. All dates except the February 12th meeting in Ponzer are locked in. Stay tuned for an update once we confirm if that date will be moved.
You will notice that there are two versions of the “Road Show” this year, so pay attention to the topics for each. More details will be provided as we get closer to the meetings.
Also, pay attention to the dates that include the “Auxin Trainings” if you plan to use auxin herbicides this year. You must attend a training this year even if you attended one last year. I will resend an earlier email with more information.
Finally, all of the “Pest Management Road Show” meetings include an opportunity to recertify your “Private Pesticide Applicator” license. This training begins at 8AM. You should only attend this portion of the meeting if your green private pesticide applicator license card shows an expiration date of 12-31-2019.
January 8 “Aurora Agronomic Road Show”
Sid Cayton’s Shop (27880 NC Hwy 33 E, Aurora)
CCA Credits Available
9AM-Noon: Corn and Soybean Production Information
Dr. Ron Heiniger
Dr. Rachel Vann
Dr. Carl Crozier
Dr. Chad Poole
Scott Tilley
Andrea Gibbs
Rod Gurganus
January 18 “Chocowinity Pest Management Road Show and Auxin Training”
Chocowinity Fire Department (512 NC Hwy 33 East)
2 Hrs of X Credits Available
CCA Credits Available
8AM Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training (only if your green license card expires in 2019)
10AM-Noon: Insect, Disease, Weed Control
1PM: Auxin Training
Dr. Charlie Cahoon
Dr. Wes Everman
Dr. Lindsay Thiesen
Dr. Dominic ReisiJanuary 25 “Blackland Cotton Meeting and Auxin Training”
Ponzer Community Building (39111 US 264, Belhaven)
10AM-Noon: Cotton Insect, Disease, Weed Control
1PM: Auxin Training
Dr. Keith Edmisten
Dr. Guy Collins
Dr. Dominic Reisig
Dr. Charlie Cahoon
January 30 “Columbia Pest Management Road Show and Auxin Training”
Green Valley Farms (7014 Hwy 94, Columbia)
2 Hrs of X Credits Available
CCA Credits Available
8AM Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training (only if your green license card expires in 2019)
10AM-Noon: Insect, Disease, Weed Control
1PM: Auxin Training
Dr. Charlie Cahoon
Dr. Wes Everman
Dr. Lindsay Thiesen
Dr. Dominic Reisig
February 1 “Fairfield Agronomic Road Show”
Ben Simmon’s Shop (8630 Piney Woods Rd, Fairfield)
CCA Credits Available
9AM-Noon: Corn and Soybean Production Information
Dr. Ron Heiniger
Dr. Rachel Vann
Dr. Carl Crozier
Dr. Chad Poole
Scott Tilley
Andrea Gibbs
Rod Gurganus
February 8 “Pinetown Agronomic Road Show”
Pinetown Fire Department (7262 N Boyd Rd, Pinetown)
CCA Credits Available
9AM-Noon: Corn and Soybean Production Information
Dr. Ron Heiniger
Dr. Rachel Vann
Dr. Carl Crozier
Dr. Chad Poole
Scott Tilley
Andrea Gibbs
Rod Gurganus
February 12 “Ponzer Pest Management Road Show”
Ponzer Community Building (39111 US 264, Belhaven)
2 Hrs of X Credits Available
CCA Credits Available
8AM Private Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training (only if your green license card expires in 2019)
10AM-Noon: Insect, Disease, Weed Control
Dr. Charlie Cahoon
Dr. Wes Everman
Dr. Lindsay Thiesen
Dr. Dominic Reisig
–Rod Gurganus, Beaufort County Center
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