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USDA Cuts Land-Access Program, Impacting Tribal Agriculture Projects

USDA Cuts Land-Access Program, Impacting Tribal Agriculture Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated previously awarded land-access grants, disrupting plans by tribal and Native-serving organizations. The Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, aimed to help beginning farmers secure land and build infrastructure. USDA awarded 50 grants totaling $300 million in 2023, but has since terminated 49 of those awards, citing concerns about spending and program structure. This decision affects projects like the Piikani Lodge Health Institute's producer training hub and industrial community kitchen.
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USDA Cuts Land-Access Program, Stalling Tribal Agriculture Projects

USDA Cuts Land-Access Program, Stalling Tribal Agriculture Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated land-access grants, disrupting tribal and Native-serving organizations' plans for land, capital, and infrastructure projects. The Increasing Land, Capital and Market Access Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, aimed to help beginning farmers secure land and build infrastructure. The USDA has canceled 49 out of 50 grants, citing concerns about spending and program structure. This decision affects several tribal governments and organizations, including the Piikani Lodge Health Institute and the Chippewa Cree Tribe, which had planned significant agricultural projects.
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USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technology for U.S. Farmers

USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technology for U.S. Farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), a new initiative aimed at evaluating agricultural technologies under real-world farming and ranching conditions across the United States. Announced by Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics Undersecretary Scott Hutchins, the initiative seeks to provide reliable performance data for new and emerging technologies, particularly those driven by digital and artificial intelligence. The USDA's Agricultural Research Service will lead the initiative, collaborating with other USDA research agencies. Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem based in North Dakota, will manage the national program, working alongside land-grant universities that will serve as primary research and testing partners.
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USDA Funds $2M Project to Test Antiviral Fogging Technology Against Avian Influenza

USDA Funds $2M Project to Test Antiviral Fogging Technology Against Avian Influenza

USDA Funds $2M Project to Test Antiviral Fogging Technology Against Avian Influenza
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USDA Invests $11.5 Million in Iowa's Rural Economy to Boost Agriculture and Renewable Energy

USDA Invests $11.5 Million in Iowa's Rural Economy to Boost Agriculture and Renewable Energy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a significant investment of $11.5 million in Iowa's rural economy, focusing on agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable energy projects. This funding is distributed across 13 projects aimed at enhancing business access to capital and industrial services. Iowa State University's AgMRC received $1.4 million to support independent producers in building successful value-added agricultural businesses. Additionally, six loans totaling nearly $6 million were awarded through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program. Notable projects include Kinetic Technologies LLC in Algona, Continental Manufacturing Chemist Inc. in Huxley, and Hemp Agra LLC in Rock Valley, each receiving substantial funding for expansion and job creation. Furthermore, six grants through the Higher Blends Infrastructure and Incentive Program will expand renewable fuel sales, with projects like Molo Petroleum LLC installing E15 dispensers projected to increase biofuel sales sign...
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Sustainable Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $33.8 Billion by 2032

Sustainable Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $33.8 Billion by 2032

Sustainable Agriculture Market Projected to Reach $33.8 Billion by 2032
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USDA Allocates $11.5 Million to Boost Iowa's Agriculture and Renewable Fuel Sectors

USDA Allocates $11.5 Million to Boost Iowa's Agriculture and Renewable Fuel Sectors

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced a significant financial boost for Iowa's agriculture and renewable fuel sectors. A total of $11.5 million in grants and loans will be distributed across 13 projects in the state. This funding aims to advance economic development, support value-added agricultural enterprises, and expand renewable fuel sales. Iowa State University will receive a $1.4 million grant to aid independent producers and processors in building agricultural enterprises. Additionally, six loans totaling over $5.9 million will be provided to various power cooperatives and municipal utilities to support manufacturing and processing facilities, creating new jobs. The USDA's Higher Blends Infrastructure and Incentive Program will also award over $4.1 million in grants to Iowa businesses to enhance ethanol and biodiesel sales infrastructure.
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USDA Launches National Proving Grounds Network to Boost Farm Profitability

USDA Launches National Proving Grounds Network to Boost Farm Profitability

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the creation of the USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), aimed at enhancing farm and ranch profitability through rigorous evaluation of agricultural technologies. This initiative, led by USDA's Research, Education, and Economics Under Secretary Dr. Scott Hutchins, seeks to validate new and emerging technologies under real-world farming conditions. The network will provide farmers with reliable performance data to make informed technology investment decisions, focusing on digital and AI-driven innovations. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will spearhead the initiative, collaborating with land-grant universities and Grand Farm, an AgTech ecosystem in North Dakota. The NPG-Ag is expected to accelerate the adoption of technologies that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the resilience of American agriculture.
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USDA Awards Funds to Boost Agriculture and Renewable Fuels in Iowa

USDA Awards Funds to Boost Agriculture and Renewable Fuels in Iowa

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded $11.5 million in grants and loans to support agriculture, manufacturing, and renewable fuel sales in Iowa. Iowa State University and various cooperatives and businesses will use the funding to advance economic development, promote value-added agricultural enterprises, and expand renewable fuel infrastructure. The funding includes grants for ethanol and biodiesel sales expansion, with Molo Petroleum LLC receiving nearly $2 million to install dispensers and storage tanks at fueling stations. The initiative aims to increase biofuel sales by over 6.2 million gallons annually.
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USDA Invests $11.5 Million in Iowa's Rural Development for Economic Growth

USDA Invests $11.5 Million in Iowa's Rural Development for Economic Growth

USDA Invests $11.5 Million in Iowa's Rural Development for Economic Growth
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USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technology for U.S. Farming

USDA Launches National Initiative to Evaluate Agricultural Technology for U.S. Farming

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the launch of the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech (NPG-Ag), a new initiative aimed at evaluating agricultural technologies under real-world conditions. This initiative, led by the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, seeks to validate emerging technologies, particularly digital and AI-driven innovations, to enhance productivity in U.S. agriculture. The program will involve collaboration with Grand Farm, a North Dakota-based AgTech ecosystem, and land-grant universities across the country. The goal is to provide reliable performance data to farmers and ranchers, facilitating the adoption of AgTech innovations and ultimately benefiting the agricultural sector.
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USMCA's Impact on Mexican Agriculture Sparks Concerns Over Corn Imports

USMCA's Impact on Mexican Agriculture Sparks Concerns Over Corn Imports

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has led to a significant increase in U.S. corn imports to Mexico, raising concerns about the impact on Mexican agriculture. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Mexico's corn imports from the U.S. have increased dramatically since the agreement's inception, with most of the imported corn being genetically modified and used for industrial purposes. This surge in imports has led to a decline in domestic corn production, affecting local farmers. Agricultural producer organizations in Mexico are protesting against low corn prices and the lack of government support, demanding the exclusion of certain grains from the USMCA.