Category: USDA

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Changes to Audit Costs

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USDA has just announced that proposed audit fees for the Harmonized and GAP/GHP audits will increase to $155 per hour. The average Harmonized Audit runs anywhere from 12 to 15 hours, GAP/GHP audits average 5 to 10 hours. The current fee is $132 per hour. For anyone who needs an audit try to schedule before October 1, 2023 when the new rates take effect.  For further information or discuss the proposed increases contact:  Melissa Bailey, Associate Administrator, AMS, USDA, Room 2036–S, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; telephone (202) 205–9356, or email melissa.bailey@usda.gov.

Possible Changes to Atrazine Use

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By Kurt M. Vollmer, UME Extension Weed Management Specialist

The EPA is proposing several changes to its interim registration review decision for atrazine. The primary issue is the aquatic ecosystem level of concern (CE-LOC). The EPA had previously set this level at 15 ppb, but this was challenged in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Currently the EPA is proposing a much lower CE-LOC level of 3.4 ppb. This proposed level will have significant impacts on growers’ ability to use atrazine and other triazine products. Labels will also likely include new language to help mitigate the risk to aquatic plant communities. These include:

  • restricting atrazine applications when soils are saturated,
  • restricting atrazine applications during rain or storm events,
  • prohibiting aerial applications,
  • and reducing the annual atrazine application rate from 2.5 lbs. to 2 lbs. per acre annually.

Additional information can be found here: https://list.mg2.mlgnserv.com/track/click?u=df0ec74ed0bf23e091847f07c1d2c483&id=c31eec13d8967c36&e=d300d03f14fec2b3https://list.mg2.mlgnserv.com/track/click?u=df0ec74ed0bf23e091847f07c1d2c483&id=c31eec13d8967c36&e=d300d03f14fec2b3. The EPA is currently seeking public comments about the proposed decision (https://www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epa-dockets).

In addition the USDA Office of Pest Management Policy is conducting a related survey on atrazine usage practices for farmers involved in corn and sorghum production over the last three years (https://usdaopmp.gov1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_agW8JjsVXqR4jjg). 

New Risk Management Tools Online Training

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This summer, the University of Maryland (UMD) is partnering with the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) and USDA to create a four-module online training course Maryland Farming Success.

The online training course is separated into four modules designed around preparing farmers for success by providing information about available USDA programs and creating the ability for participants to have a successful business plan, including – mission and goals, enterprise budgeting, risk management, and legal risk management.

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USDA Invests More Than 169.9 Million in Specialty Crops Grants

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing $169.9 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to fund innovative projects designed to support the expanding specialty crop food sector and explore new market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. The purpose of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as “fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).”
The total includes:
  • $72.9 million available as part of the annual Farm Bill funding for the program; and
  • An additional $97 million available as emergency funding for applications under this solicitation. Congress provided this funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system.

Grant project funding awarded as part of pandemic assistance can also go to organizations to assist farmworkers (e.g., for PPE and vaccination costs), projects to fund farmers, food businesses, and other relevant entities to respond to risks and supply chain disruption.

For more information about grant eligibility, visit the SCBGP website.

Maryland Department of Ag SCBGP website

The SCBGP funds are allocated to U.S. states and territories based on a formula that considers both specialty crop acreage and production value. Interested applicants should apply directly through their state departments of agriculture.  Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 11, 2021. 

Source: https://www.ams.usda.gov/press-release/usda-invests-more-330-million-specialty-crops-grants-incentives-purchase-fruits-and

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2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey

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WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2021 – Farmers and ranchers still have time to respond to their 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS will continue to accept responses through April to ensure an accurate picture of U.S. local and regional food systems.

“The Local Food Marketing Practices Survey is conducted in support of the growing demand for local and regional food systems,” said NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer. “The data are vital to understanding the many benefits of this sector. They will inform industry decisions and assist producers, researchers, policymakers, USDA officials, and more. NASS is committed to giving producers every opportunity to be counted in this special study.”

The 2020 Local Food Marketing Practices Survey is part of the Census of Agriculture program and as such is required by federal law. These federal laws require producers to respond and USDA to keep identities and answers confidential. Over the next several weeks, NASS will follow-up with additional mailings and phone calls to farmers and ranchers who have not yet responded. Producers are encouraged to complete their questionnaire online at www.agcounts.usda.gov, by mail, or phone as soon as possible. All information collected will be used for statistical purposes only and published on the NASS website in aggregate form this November.

To learn more about NASS and the Local Foods Marketing Practices Survey, visit www.nass.usda.gov/go/local-food. If you have questions or difficulty completing your survey, please call toll-free 888-424-7828.