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Not Enough Funds for CFAP?

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Georgia, Top Posts

The recent revisions to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) was a step in the right direction in the United States Department of Agriculture expanding the scope of what commodities are covered. But it also may lead to a shortage in funds being in place for producers, according to Adam Rabinowitz, “I think it’s going to be challenging for there …

North Carolina Announces Delivery of Personal Protection Equipment for Agricultural Workers

Web AdminCoronavirus, North Carolina, Top Posts

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is taking further action to prevent and respond to COVID-19 outbreaks among the agricultural workforce, delivering critical personal protection equipment for use by agricultural workers across the state. “Agriculture is vital to our economy and food supply and it is critical that we protect farmworkers and their families from this …

Sweet Grown Alabama Day Produces Sweet Results

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Fruit, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

Sweet Grown Alabama Day will forever be July 22. Kay Ivey, Alabama Governor; Rick Pate, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries; and other agriculture leaders and farmers joined forces at the Alabama State Capitol on Wednesday to celebrate the launch of a new online searchable database, which connects Alabama farmers and families. The celebration was highlighted by …

GFGVA Conducting COVID-19 Expense Survey

Web AdminCoronavirus, Georgia, Top Posts

The Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFGVA) is conducting a survey with growers to gather data on expenses incurred in response to COVID-19 from Jan. 1 through June 30. The anonymous survey is designed for GFVGA to gather information to share with officials who will propose legislation aimed at protecting the growers who produce the crops that feed our …

Mental Health in Agriculture Industries

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Georgia

Agriculture industries have had to adapt to a lot of change in recent months. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has created a series of professional development webinars to help these industries navigate the global pandemic. The most recent session of the six-part webinar series featured a panel focused on mental health in rural communities. …

Additional Fruits, Vegetables Eligible for CFAP

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Top Posts, Vegetables

Washington, D.C., July 9, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced an initial list of additional commodities that have been added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) on Thursday, and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made other adjustments to the program based on comments received from agricultural producers and organizations and review of market data. Producers …

USDA CFAP Revision “Big Deal” For Blueberry Growers

Web AdminAlabama, Berries, Coronavirus, Florida, Fruit, Georgia, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson Thursday was a win for blueberry farmers, especially in Georgia. The crop was one of seven currently eligible commodities to be added to Category 1 of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program by the United States Department of Agriculture. According to the USDA press release, the USDA found these commodities had a 5% or greater price decline between …

Nikki Fried: Consumer Conscience Awakening Result of COVID-19

Web AdminCoronavirus, Florida, Top Posts

By Clint Thompson A biproduct of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic was the positive response consumers had to supporting American farmers. Nikki Fried, Florida Ag Commissioner, calls it a “consumer conscience awakening.” “When people go to the food stores, they were seeing on one point, you’ve got Mexican strawberries inside of our food stores and then you’re seeing all of the …

Three Georgia Farmers Market Locations Could Be Spared

Web AdminCoronavirus, Fruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables

By Clint Thompson The revised budget cut requirements from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and the State Legislature may have spared the state farmers market locations in Cordele, Thomasville and Savannah. Julie McPeake, Georgia Department of Agriculture Chief Communications officer, confirmed that as a result of the budget cut requirement from 14% to 10%, the State Legislature …

Food Safety in Light of COVID-19

Web AdminAlabama, Coronavirus, Florida, Food Safety, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina

With millions of American workers staying home to aid public health efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the security of America’s food supply is more important than ever before. It’s crucial that growers are taking the appropriate measures to ensure food safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of …