California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • FSA Adjusts Farm Loan, Disaster, Conservation and Safety Net Programs

    FSA Services Available by Phone Appointment Only: USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) county offices are open by phone appointment only until further notice, and FSA staff are available to continue helping agricultural producers with program signups, loan servicing and other important actions. Additionally, FSA is relaxing the loan-making process and adding flexibilities for servicing direct and guaranteed loans to provide credit to producers in need. FSA Service Centers are open for business by phone appointment only. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into to the office, they will be working with our agricultural producers by phone and using email and online tools whenever possible.

    “FSA programs and loans are critical to America’s farmers and ranchers, and we want to continue our work with customers while taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of coronavirus,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “We recognize that farm loans are critical for annual operating and family living expenses, emergency needs and cash flow through times like this. FSA is working to find and use every option and flexibility to provide producers with credit options and other program benefits.”

    FSA is delivering programs and services, including:

    • Farm loans;
    • Commodity loans;
    • Farm Storage Facility Loan program;
    • Disaster assistance programs, including signup for the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (this includes producers now eligible because of losses due to drought and excess moisture in 2018 and 2019);
    • Safety net programs, including 2020 signup for the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs;
    • Conservation programs; and
    • Acreage reports.

    Relaxing the Farm Loan-Making Process

    FSA is relaxing the loan-making process, including:

    • Extending the deadline for applicants to complete farm loan applications;
    • Preparing Direct Loans documents even if FSA is unable to complete lien and record searches because of closed government buildings. Once those searches are complete, FSA would close the loan; and
    • Closing loans if the required lien position on the primary security is perfected, even for loans that require additional security and those lien searches, filings and recordings cannot be obtained because of closed government buildings.

    Servicing Direct Loans

    FSA is extending deadlines for producers to respond to loan servicing actions, including loan deferral consideration for financially distressed and delinquent borrowers.

    FSA will temporarily suspend loan accelerations, non-judicial foreclosures, and referring foreclosures to the Department of Justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will make the determination whether to stop foreclosures and evictions on accounts under its jurisdiction.

    Servicing Guaranteed Loans

    Guarantee lenders can self-certify, providing their borrowers with:

    • Subsequent-year operating loan advances on lines of credit;
    • Emergency advances on lines of credit.

    FSA will consider guaranteed lender requests for:

    • Temporary payment deferral consideration when borrowers do not have a feasible plan reflecting that family living expenses, operating expenses and debt can be repaid; and
    • Temporary forbearance consideration for borrowers on loan liquidation and foreclosure actions.

    Contacting FSA

    FSA will be accepting additional forms and applications by facsimile or electronic signature. Some services are also available online to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov portal where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Customers can track payments, report completed practices, request conservation assistance and electronically sign documents. Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in.

    FSA encourages producers to contact their county office to discuss these programs and temporary changes to farm loan deadlines and the loan servicing options available. For Service Center contact information, visit farmers.gov/coronavirus.

  • How Drones Can Help Farmers

    Have you seen a drone buzzing by in a park and wondered what all the fuss is about? These flying vehicles may seem like just an upgrade to the remote-controlled helicopters of yesteryear. But drones are receiving a lot of attention for good reasons.

    Drones can help people, including farmers and scientists, look at and analyze pretty much anything. When it comes to farm fields, they can help track flooding, hail damage, or even plant health — fast.

     

    “The easiest advantage of drones is that they can be a huge time saver,” says Jason de Koff, an extension professor at Tennessee State University. “Rather than going out and scouting fields on foot or by truck, they can scout them with a drone in a lot less time and pinpoint specific areas that they might want to visit for closer inspection.”

     

    But drones aren’t a toy, and they take training to use safely. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drone pilots get certified to use drones legally. That’s why de Koff offers a webinar series through the American Society of Agronomy so farmers and researchers can learn about drones.

     

    Those FAA requirements are all about safety. Drones can only fly during daylight, to make sure they’re visible. And pilots must be able to see their drones at all times. Drones are also limited to flying under 400 feet to prevent them from colliding with airplanes. And drones can’t be flown near people who aren’t part of a flight. So, if someone buzzes their drone too close to you, they’re breaking the rules.

    Credit: Jason de Koff

    Getting a remote pilot license takes more than just knowing what not to do. Weather is a big factor. If it’s raining or snowing, flying is impossible. But a professional drone can handle windy conditions. Plus, de Koff teaches how to read airport charts. These maps give drone pilots the info they need to stay away from passenger planes.

     

    In his course, de Koff covers these rules to prepare would-be drone pilots to take the FAA test. He also discusses the confusing world of commercial drones. More drones are becoming available all the time, which makes it hard to know which one to buy and how much to spend.

     

    “A good drone can cost around $1,200 to $1,800,” says de Koff. The toys that cost just a couple hundred dollars aren’t very useful to pros. “Purchasing a used or refurbished drone or an older model can help reduce the initial cost but still provide a lot of the same features.”

     

    There’s only so much you can learn about drones online. That’s why de Koff also takes drones around Tennessee so farmers can try them out firsthand.

     

    “Farmers get the chance to fly a drone,” says de Koff. “And then I talk about different uses in agriculture, drone regulations and then different types of drones and options as well as cost.”

     

    So, it takes a lot of work — and a good amount of money — just to start flying. But it can pay off for farmers and ranchers, and the scientists who want to help them. Ranchers can keep close eyes on their herds using drones to keep animals safe. Or drones can help farmers spot diseases on their crops. That knowledge could help farmers spray pesticide only at the time and place it’s needed.

     

    Plus, farms are bigger than they used to be. So, it can be hard for a farmer to see all their land. Farmers can use drones to keep up with their operations.

     

    But maybe the most exciting possibility is the chance to study how plants grow. Special cameras attached to drones can acquire a lot of information from a picture of fields. “Software is available that can take images captured by the drone and measure things like plant health, plant populations, plant cover,” says de Koff.

     

    That wealth of information can help scientists help farmers. Researchers could use that special software to tell when drought is starting to slow plant growth. Then water could be used where it’s needed most. Or software could automatically track how many weeds are in a field. Eventually, phone apps might be available that analyze drone images and give farmers the information they need to keep their farms running smoothly.

     

    So, with a little know-how — and the right license — farmers can turn to drones to grow food more efficiently. That’s better for their business, for consumers, and for the environment. Knowing how useful they are, you’ll never look at a drone the same way again.

     

    Learn more about de Koff’s recent webinar series by visiting the American Society of Agronomy.

  • USDA-APHIS Impact Report: Protecting 900 Million Acres of Farmland

    The USDA seal includes the inscription “Agriculture is the foundation of manufacturing and commerce.” It’s fair to say that it is also the foundation of a stable and caring society because agriculture feeds and clothes the people. For nearly 50 years, it’s been the job of APHIS to protect American agriculture’s ability to feed and clothe the world by keeping it healthy. Every American and untold millions of people around the world benefit from healthy and profitable U.S. farms and ranches. It is my honor on behalf of over 8,400 employees, working in all 50 States, 4 territories, and 35 countries to report to you on APHIS’ accomplishments in 2019. Some of the highlights include:

    • 100 percent of the United States is now free of the plum pox virus, thanks to the work of Plant Protection and Quarantine, ending a 20-year battle with the most devastating viral disease of stone fruit worldwide.
    • Unlike those in many countries, Americans don’t have to face African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, because Veterinary Services ensured there were no incursions of these most devastating of foreign animal diseases.
    •  More than 700 million air passengers flew more safely because Wildlife Services protected them from wildlife strikes at more than 870 U.S. airports and military bases around the globe.
    •  Dogs in breeding operations, primates in research projects, and zoo animals all were safer and healthier because 99 percent of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) licensees and registrants are in substantial compliance thanks to inspections, guidance, and outreach by Animal Care.
    •  All Americans have a more abundant and more affordable food supply, and many others overcame devastating hardships, because more than 1,300 APHIS employees took time away from their families, homes, and regular duties to fight 38 emergency incidents like pest and disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other threats to U.S. agriculture and health and safety.

    And that’s just a small representation of the things reflected in our 2019 Impact Report. Please consider these numbers:

    • APHIS protected 900 million acres of U.S. farmland.
    • APHIS made it possible for $137 billion in U.S. agricultural exports to move around the world.
    • APHIS helped keep 21.6 million Americans employed in U.S. agriculture, food, and related industries.

    I hope you’ll take some time to review the APHIS 2019 Impact Report to find out more about the impact of

    our work across the nation and worldwide.

     

    You can also find more information about the impact of APHIS’ work by viewing the short videos linked below. Our Deputy Administrators tell the story of an agency with many missions, but one common purpose: keeping the American people fed, clothed, and safe.

    Kevin Shea

    Administrator

     

     

    Deputy Administrator Video Messages:

     

    Animal Health 

    Deputy Administrator Burke Healey

     

    Animal Welfare

    Deputy Administrator Betty Goldentyer

     

    Biotechnology

    Deputy Administrator Bernadette Juarez

     

    Global Trade

    Deputy Administrator Cheryle Blakely

     

    Plant Health

    Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy

     

    Wildlife Damage Management

    Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall

     

  • American Flower Industry Suffering Staggering Losses

    The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has American consumers focused on purchasing necessities like toilet paper, hand soap and food. What they’re not purchasing is flowers on their way to check out, and that’s a problem.

    In a conference call on Friday, March 20, over 50 California flower farmers discussed the devastation their farming industry is experiencing due to lack of demand from consumers,  canceled orders from industry outlets and transportation line shutdowns. The bottom line, according to American flower farmers: If the general public doesn’t start buying American Grown Flowers immediately, the American flower industry, its farmers, wholesale distributors, retail designers and all the people who work in those businesses cannot survive.

    In fact, several flower farmers on the call said they’re less than a week away from complete ruin. “America’s flower farmers, the floral industry and all of their employees are teetering on economic devastation” said Dave Pruitt, CEO for The California Cut Flower Commission and administrator of Certified American Grown Flowers. “These people literally cannot hold on without support from consumers. We urge our fellow Americans to please consider purchasing fresh American Grown Flowers and Greens the next time you’re in the store, and ask for our flowers to be added back into the distribution pipeline as a valued agricultural commodity.”

    While a handful of retailers nationwide continue to carry flowers, many grocery brands and distributors are canceling orders or turning deliveries away. Farmers also express difficulty with getting their blooms and greens transported due to confusion around agricultural products and their exemption from the restrictions. “Our Certified American Grown farmers are out in their local communities now assisting the overworked people in the best ways we know – delivering flowers and greens to help alleviate stress and bring moments of joy. We encourage you all to BUY FLOWERS where you can, SHARE THEM and let’s make sure that all farmers are still in business when this crisis is over. Once gone, a farm may be gone forever,” said Rita Jo Shoultz, owner of Alaska Perfect Peony and chair of the Certified American Grown Council.

    “A Rutger’s University Study indicated that flowers bring happiness. In the home, they support self care, provide joy, hope and healing,” Shoultz added. “Flowers help counteract negative messages and darkness prevalent at this very moment. Flowers will assuage troubled minds and bring peace to hearts and souls in this time of anxiety and fear.”

    Today, flower farmers are asking consumers to purchase a bunch of flowers next time they’re in stores to buy essentials. That purchase could make the difference in an entire industry – one we count on to add beauty to life’s celebrations, express love and decorate our homes.

    About Certified American Grown

    Launched on July 1, 2014, Certified American Grown Flowers represents a unified and diverse coalition of U.S. flower farms, including small and large entities in multiple states across the country. Certified American grown flower farms participate in an independent, third-party supply-chain audit to verify both origin and assembly of the flowers they grow. When it appears on bouquets, bunches and other packaging or store signage, the Certified American Grown Flowers logo gives consumers confidence in the source of their flowers and assures them that the flowers they purchase come from a domestic American flower farm. For more information about Certified American Grown Flowers, visit americangrownflowers.com.

    About the California Cut Flower Commission

    The California Cut Flower Commission (CCFC) unites the state’s approximately 225 flower farmers to advance California’s $320 million flower industry. In addition to providing cooperative marketing opportunities and administering advocacy efforts, the commission has positioned the California Grown brand as a highly recognizable, consumer-facing brand to drive sales of the state’s fresh flowers and foliage. Learn more at ccfc.org.

     

     

  • USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers.

    “More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we will soon rely upon to grow our nation’s food and fiber.”

    To institutionalize support for beginning farmers and ranchers and to build upon prior agency work, the 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a national coordinator position in the agency and state-level coordinators for four of its agencies – Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and Rural Development (RD).

    Sarah Campbell was selected as the national coordinator to lead USDA’s efforts. A beginning farmer herself, Campbell held previous positions with USDA and has a wealth of experience working on issues impacting beginning farmers and ranchers. She recently served as acting director of customer experience for the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, where she led the piloting of innovative, customer-centric initiatives.

    In her new role, she will work closely with the state coordinators to develop goals and create plans to increase beginning farmer participation and access to programs while coordinating nationwide efforts on beginning farmers and ranchers.

    “We know starting a new farm business is extremely challenging, and we know our customers value and benefit from being able to work directly with our field employees, especially beginning farmers,” Campbell said. “These new coordinators will be a key resource at the local level and will help beginning farmers get the support they need. I look forward to working with them.”

    Each state coordinator will receive training and develop tailored beginning farmer outreach plans for their state. Coordinators will help field employees better reach and serve beginning farmers and ranchers and will also be available to assist beginning farmers who need help navigating the variety of resources USDA has to offer.

    More on Beginning Farmers

    Twenty seven percent of farmers were categorized as new and beginning producers, with 10 years or less of experience in agriculture, according to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.

    USDA offers a variety of farm loan, risk management, disaster assistance, and conservation programs to support farmers, including beginning farmers and ranchers. Additionally, a number of these programs have provisions specifically for beginning farmers, including targeted funding for loans and conservation programs as well as waivers and exemptions.

    More Information

    Learn more about USDA’s resources for beginning farmers as well as more information on the national and state-level coordinators at newfarmers.usda.gov and farmers.gov. For more information on available programs in your area, contact your local USDA service center.

  • House Approves, Trump Signs Coronavirus Stimulus into Law

    President Donald J. Trump today signed the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act” (CARES Act) into law with provisions to provide financially distressed consumers and small businesses greater access to business loans and bankruptcy relief. The legislative package, which quickly passed the House of Representatives on a voice vote earlier today and 96-0 in the Senate on Wednesday, provides a $2 trillion economic stimulus for U.S. industries and citizens faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

    Upon passage of the stimulus package, Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President and CEO Daren Coppock shared, “We recognize that the health and safety of all people is a priority at this time. ARA is grateful that Congress is taking swift action to remedy the current situation in our country through passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).  Ag retailers and their farmer customers, as always, are committed to continuing their businesses so that they can deliver the safe, healthy, and abundant food supply that is in demand now and required for the future.  We are pleased with the support that Congress has included for the agriculture industry in this bill, and encourage the president to sign it so that we can have certainty moving forward.”

    National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern offered the following statement:

    “We thank President Trump for quickly signing this measure into law. It will provide much-needed help to dairy producers, who are experiencing steep drops in milk and dairy-product prices due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With the CARES Act now law, we look forward to working with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on several important initiatives, including the need for a significant purchase of multiple dairy products. These efforts will be important to address sales lost because of COVID-19, lift farm milk prices and send a critical signal to disrupted dairy markets. Government dairy-product purchases will provide our food banks with an important, nutritious and popular staple item that will help feed families in need.”

    Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) shared, “The International Dairy Foods Association commends Congress for acting swiftly and decisively to bring financial relief to American businesses, households and workers as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has delivered an historic blow to our nation’s economy and workforce. On behalf of America’s dairy industry, IDFA is grateful that this bipartisan bill has put a special emphasis on businesses large and small, farmers, and our rural communities who grow, process and distribute many of the foods and beverages that are so vital to Americans during this crisis. We urge Congress to continue to be mindful of the critical part the food industry plays in our national security, economic security and food security. The United States is the world’s most productive food and agricultural economy in the world, and our legislators and federal officials must do everything in their power to ensure continuity of operations throughout the food supply chain. Our food security is absolutely essential.”

    Dykes continued, “Now we are seeing record jobless claims for Americans, which presents hardships to families just trying to put nutritious, wholesome food on their tables. Our federal government must now turn its attention to those Americans most in need by ensuring our food banks, pantries and distributors have an abundant supply of food for families trying to make ends meet. The CARES Act includes billions of dollars to support federal nutrition and feeding programs, as well as $450 million for USDA to provide food banks with additional resources for food and distribution. With resources in place through replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation, billions for nutrition and feeding programs, and millions to support our food banks, it is incumbent on USDA to act without delay. We urge USDA to act today to make record purchases of fluid and powdered milk, cheese, and other dairy products, as well as other foods and commodities, to equip our food banks for a surge of food-insecure Americans and to bring certainty and balance to the marketplace due to whole sectors of the economy shutting down due to COVID-19. The closure of restaurants, cafes, bars and other food service operators as a result of COVID-19 has created a major market gap for our dairy producers and processors. While retail sales have climbed steadily, the loss of foodservice, which accounted for roughly 50% of all food sales, has presented a significant challenge to our industry. USDA should act now to direct those products to food banks to help people in need. This will prioritize those most in need, provide certainty to producers and agribusinesses, and restore needed balance in the marketplace.”

    The CARES Act provides:

    Relief for Farmers and Ranchers

    • $9.5 billion dedicated disaster fund to help farmers who are experiencing financial losses from the coronavirus crisis, including targeted support for fruit and vegetable growers, dairy and livestock farmers, and local food producers, who have been shorted from receiving emergency assistance in the past.
    • $14 billion to fund the Farm Bill’s farm safety net through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
    • Eligibility for farmers and agricultural and rural businesses to receive up to $10 million in small business interruption loans from eligible lenders, including Farm Credit institutions, through the Small Business Administration. Repayment forgiveness will be provided for funds used for payroll, rent or mortgage, and utility bills.
    • $3 million to increase capacity at the USDA Farm Service Agency to meet increased demand from farmers affected by the coronavirus crisis.

    Assistance for Small Towns and Rural Communities

    • $1 billion available in guaranteed loans to help rural businesses weather the economic downturn.
    • $100 billion to hospitals, health care providers, and facilities, including those in rural areas.
    • $25 million for telemedicine tools to help rural patients access medical care no matter where they live.
    • $100 million for high-speed internet expansion in small towns and rural communities.
    • Over $70 million to help the U.S. Forest Service serve rural communities and reduce the spread of coronavirus through personal protective equipment for first responders and cleaning of facilities.

    Protections for Consumers and the Food Supply

    • $55 million for inspection and quarantine at our borders to protect against invasive pests and animal disease.
    • $33 million for overtime and temporary food safety inspectors to protect America’s food supply at meat processing plants.
    • $45 million to ensure quality produce and meat reaches grocery stores through increased support for the Agricultural Marketing Service.
    • $1.5 million to expedite EPA approvals of disinfectants needed to control the spread of coronavirus.

    Food Access for Families

    • $15.8 billion to fund food assistance changes made in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Republicans and the Trump Administration blocked additional funding to expand benefits for children, families, and seniors.
    • $9 billion to fund child nutrition improvements made in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
    • $450 million to provide food banks with additional resources for food and distribution.
    • $100 million for food distribution in Tribal communities to provide facility improvements, equipment upgrades, and food purchases

    The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) shared that two small business loan programs have been created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These may help small business operations (growers) that are dealing with the economic challenges of the pandemic. Small business is defined as a company with less than 501 employees and California small businesses are eligible for both programs.

    • The first program includes $1 billion to immediately assist small businesses hit hard by the current economic shutdown. Unlike traditional Small Business Administration (SBA) funding mechanisms, this program is being administered directly by the SBA and is live and accepting applications NOW.
    • The second program includes the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. These will be administered more like traditional SBA programs, i.e. through third-party 7(a) lenders.

    Key Bankruptcy Provisions within the CARES Act Include:

    • Amending the Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA) to increase the eligibility threshold for businesses filing under new subchapter V of chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code from $2,725,625 of debt to $7,500,000. The eligibility threshold will return to $2,725,625 after one year. The increased debt limit for struggling small businesses to access subchapter V reflects recommendations of ABI’s Commission to Study the Reform of Chapter 11.
    • Amending the definition of “income” in the Bankruptcy Code for chapters 7 and 13 to exclude coronavirus-related payments from the federal government from being treated as “income” for purposes of filing bankruptcy.
    • Clarifying that the calculation of disposable income for purposes of confirming a chapter 13 plan shall not include coronavirus-related payments.
    • Explicitly permitting individuals and families currently in chapter 13 to seek payment plan modifications if they are experiencing a material financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, including extending their payments for up to seven years after their initial plan payment was due.

    The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) emphasized that the bankruptcy provisions of the CARES Act listed above sunset within a year. Additionally, the law provides temporary relief for federal student loan borrowers by requiring the Secretary of Education to defer student loan payments, principal, and interest for 6 months, through September 30, 2020, without penalty to the borrower for all federally owned loans. This provides relief for over 95 percent of student loan borrowers.

    “The American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) commends Congress and the President for their prompt action on this stimulus package to provide needed financial relief due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss. “Consumers and small businesses will have greater access to the financial fresh start of bankruptcy thanks to this important legislation. “Our members will be sure to utilize these tools to help consumers and small businesses struggling with overwhelming debts due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.”

    ABI will be holding a free abiLIVE webinar with experts examining the bankruptcy provisions of the CARES Act on April 3 at 1 p.m. EDT. To register, please click here.

  • Malcolm Media’s Matthew Malcolm Recognized in Nation’s Top AgGrad 30 Under 30

    On National Ag Day (March 24th), AgGrad announced winners of this year’s AgGrad 30 Under 30 Awards, a program that shows the future of agriculture is bright and aims at rewarding those making the extra effort to move this industry forward.  Our very own managing editor, Matthew Malcolm was honored among the top young agricultural professionals and influencers in the nation.  Matthew Malcolm has worked full-time for the Malcolm Media team since 2013, and has been doing a great job covering the news of California’s rich and diverse industry through Malcolm Media’s five agricultural publications, six digital news channels, and four grape, nut and tree fruit industry expositions.

    Eighteen judges were asked to select winners from peer and self-nominations based on contributions to agriculture, community, strength of innovation and significance of accomplishments. “These 30 individuals are at the forefront of agriculture and will one day be the leaders in agribusiness, innovation and technology, education and advocacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability and production,” says AgGrad Founder Tim Hammerich.

    Renée Vassilos, Director of Agriculture Innovation at The Nature Conservancy, and AgGrad 30 Under 30 Judge added, “From driving change within their local U.S.-based communities to supporting farmers and educators across the globe, the future is now with these incredible nominees!”

    Matthew Malcolm teaches local elementary school students about the importance of farming in California and how they can grow fruits and vegetables too in their yards. This is something he does voluntarily on the side in addition to managing editorial content in five agricultural publications.

    AgGrad 30 Under 30 2020 Winners by Category Include:

    1.  Production
    •       Brooke Beam, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Development Extension Educator in Ohio
    •      Casey Call, Head Grower at Plenty in California
    •      Jesse Wiggins, Sales at Wiggins Farms LLP in Texas
    •      Tony Lopes, Operations Team Leader at Tony L. Lopes Dairy, L.P. in California
    1.  Innovation & Technology
    •      Alacyn Cox, Product Support Rep at John Deere in Iowa
    •      Alexander Chuck, Chief Financial Officer at Pharm Robotics in California
    •      Ellie Symes, Founder and CEO at the Bee Corp in Indiana
    •      Tyler McGee, Founder and CEO at Tycom, Inc. in North Carolina
    1.  Entrepreneurship
    •      David Chan, COO and Founding Team Member at FarmTogether in New York
    •      Delaney Howell, Host of Market to Market and Founder of Ag News Daily and the Global Ag Network
    •      Matt Foley, Program Director at Invest Nebraska in Nebraska
    •      Mitchell Hora, Founder of Continuum Ag in Iowa
    •      Tyler Nuss, Purchasing Manager at Rivian in California and Co-Founder of The Modern Acre
    •      Zane Peterson, Owner and Manager of Peterson Timber, Inc in California
    1.  Education & Advocacy
    •      Benjamin Brown Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Agriculture in Ohio
    •      Hannah Thompson-Weeman Vice President of Communications at Animal Agriculture Alliance in Maryland
    •      Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in California
    •      Peter Bachmann, Vice President of International Trade Policy at USA Rice Federation in Washington D.C.
    •      Sarah Mock Freelance Writer Focused on Rural and Agricultural Issues in Washington D.C.
    1.  Agribusiness
    •      Cain Thurmond Senior Account Manager at CSX Transportation in Illinois
    •      Garrett Lister Risk Management of Cattle at Innovative Livestock Services in Kansas
    •      Jordan Bonham Rasmussen Farm Marketer at Cargill in Nebraska
    •      Lorryn Bolte Global Marketing Communications Specialist at Novus International, Inc. in Missouri
    •      Pedee Ewing Research Associate at Bayer in Idaho
    •      Rosie Thoni U.S. Public Relations Lead at AdFarm in Kansas
    •      Tristan Hudak Vice President of Ag Biotech, Inc. in California
    1.  Sustainability/Food Security
    •      Andrea Zinn Smallholder Farmer Finance & Agri Data Consultant in Costa Rica
    •      Anna Glenn Agriculture Instructor with Hope in Harvest Missions International in Liberia
    •      Keith Heidecorn VP Sustainability at Locus Agricultural Solutions in Ohio
    •      Sarah Hulick Grower Innovation at Full Harvest in California

    AgGrad was established in 2015 with the mission of “helping young professionals find their place in modern agriculture.” The company accomplishes this mission by providing blog posts, career profiles, job postings, “AgGrad Live” (a video program), and a weekly podcast called the “Future of Agriculture.” All is provided at zero cost to students and young professionals and supported by participating agribusinesses.  For more information or to receive the AgGrad 30 Under 30 publication, visit 30under30.ag.

  • Clover Sonoma Advances Social and Environmental Impact with New Fully Renewable Milk Carton

    Clover Sonoma, a third-generation family-owned and operated dairy, today announced its B Corporation recertification and the first fully renewable plant-based milk carton in the United States as part of its continued focus on sustainability. As a result of better employee and community engagement, environmental standards, and corporate governance, the company received an improved score of 100.5 during its B Corporation recertification. Clover Sonoma attained a 96.9 score during its original certification in 2016. During its three-year certification term, Clover Sonoma’s commitment to curating its relationships with farmers, employees, community, suppliers, and consumers across California has improved its social and environmental impact, and influence as a mission-driven business.

     

    “Owning more than fifty percent of the branded dairy market in Northern California means we have a responsibility to do what’s best for consumers,” said Clover Sonoma CEO Marcus Benedetti. “We’ve baked sustainability into our DNA and continue to look for ways to foster growth within our organization, and aim to set the bar high for our community and other brands across our industry. Packaging is a big part of our focus as we try to find innovative ways to decrease the use of fossil fuels, utilize less plastic, and encourage recycling. Our new fully renewable milk carton is a first for the U.S., and we hope to transition the carton across our fluid milk line within the next few years.”

    Fully Renewable Packaging

     

    Environmental pollution cannot be ignored; and plastic waste and fossil fuel-based packaging are main contributors to that pollution. In the past, Clover Sonoma made the conscious decision to reduce plastic waste by saying “no” to plastic caps on paper cartons. In doing so, the company prevented more than 227,000 pounds of plastic from entering landfills in 2019 alone. With its new Organic DHA Omega-3 + Choline Milk line, the company took its commitment a step further by partnering with 1% for the Planet to donate a portion of proceeds of the sale of the product to non-profit Plastic Pollution Coalition.

     

    Now, Clover Sonoma is the first dairy in the U.S. to switch to a fully renewable plant-based milk carton. The company will be converting more than 10 million cartons this year and additional milk cartons until the entire line of milk cartons is fully renewable. There are two main components to a milk carton — the paperboard and the lining. The paperboard for our new carton will be Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) certified, which means that consumers who purchase the renewable milk carton are supporting responsible forest management and helping to protect forests for future generations. FSC certification helps ensure that the soils, water quality, wildlife, threatened and endangered species, special areas, social rights, and biodiversity are all protected.

     

    The lining inside and outside of the carton will be made of fossil fuel free green plastic made from Non-GMO sugar cane. Bio-ethanol made from sugar cane is used for a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) coating inside and outside of the carton. The carbon footprint of Clover Sonoma’s renewable plant-based milk carton is less than fifty percent compared to conventional cartons (according to a European study by the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research). Both the paper board and liner materials are also traceable to their origins. Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time; and more importantly, they enable a move away from fossil fuel-based materials, reducing the environmental impact, as well as improving resource efficiency.

     

    Clover Sonoma’s new packaging will be available on shelves this summer in our organic half gallon and quart milk cartons.

     

    About B Corporation Certification

    There are more than 3,200 Certified B Corporations from more than 150 industries and 71 countries with one unifying goal: to redefine success in business. B Corps are leaders of a global movement of people using business as a force for goodTM. The B Corp assessment process measures a company’s performance in five categories: governance, workers, customers, community, and the environment. Certified B Corporations also amend their governance structure so that, by law, they can make decisions and implement practices that consider not just shareholder value, but the impact on all stakeholders — employees, customers, society, and the environment.

     

    “We are proud to have Clover Sonoma recertify as a member of our B Corp community,” said Manager of Community Engagement at B Lab Rebecca Jewell. “As the B Corp movement grows, we’re appreciative of companies, like Clover Sonoma, who continue to honor their commitment to this community and use business as a force good. Clover Sonoma’s improvement upon their score in the recertification process – no small feat – demonstrates their dedication to strive to do the best for their workers, their community, their customers, and the environment.”

     

    Once certified, companies must document their positive impact to qualify and undergo verification every three years to maintain their certification.

     

    Community-Focused for Generations

     

    For generations, Clover Sonoma has committed to building relationships within the Northern California community, evidenced by long-standing partnerships with farmers, employees, suppliers, consumers, and charitable organizations. All 30 Clover Sonoma dairy farms are family-owned and American Humane Association Certified. They are required to adhere to the company’s rigorous quality standards, also known as the Clover Promise of Excellence, and are paid a premium to support those standards. Clover Sonoma’s commitment extends to employees as well. All workers are confirmed to be receiving not only the individual living wage for their respective areas, but rather the family living wage which is estimated based on a family of four. In addition, the company supports its employees through generous health and wellness benefits.

     

    As part of Clover Cares community giveback, the company gives at least five percent of profits every year to charitable organizations that fit within its mission of elevating dairy, empowering future generations, and supporting the community. The Clover Cares team selects and reviews each donation to make sure that every dollar is being maximized for the greatest social impact. Some of the programs supported through Clover Cares include a school garden project, a junior cooking challenge, education grants, and agricultural education. The giveback in 2019 alone came to more than $800,000 in cash and product donations.

     

    More than half of Clover Sonoma’s supplier expenditure occurs with independent businesses within 50 miles of the main processing facility, and the majority of its charitable donations are directed to nonprofits in the surrounding communities. As a result, Clover Sonoma helps drive economic activity within a relatively concentrated area, and minimize the need for environmentally harmful transportation over greater distances. Even the majority of the company’s ownership and employees live locally to its operations, further ensuring that future commercial success will benefit Sonoma County.

     

    Building a Sustainable Future

     

    Clover Sonoma is on the path to tracking and formulating reduction targets for the company’s energy use, water use, GHG emissions, and waste. For most of these areas, the company is tracking the amounts on a yearly basis. With this baseline data in place, Clover Sonoma will set annual reduction targets and formalize programs to achieve these targets, performing internal or external audits to check the efficacy of the programs implemented. To date, the company has already made significant progress in reducing and preventing plastic waste by investing in a plastic baler to recycle more than 80,000 pounds of plastic wrap annually.

     

    B Corporation Certification helps consumers identify companies with a mission, and helps investors select investments that align with their values. Being a conscious company is at the heart of Clover Sonoma’s business, and recertifying as a B Corporation is a testament to the company’s heritage and mission-driven focus to building a sustainable future. As an early adopter of these best practices, Clover Sonoma looks forward to supporting this movement towards using its business as a power for good to benefit its community and industry.

     

    For more information on Clover Sonoma’s B Corporation Certification Score and Impact Reports, please visit:https://cloversonoma.com/clover-cares/b-corp-certified/.

  • Meat and Poultry Producers Provide Food for Families in Pandemic

    The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said meat and poultry producers are leaning in to continue efforts to meet the global demand for meat under difficult circumstances.

    “As the Coronavirus began to spread overseas, our members acted to protect their employees and develop contingency plans to ensure plants could still provide food for families around the world,” said Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts. “With increased demand in retail, our members acted quickly to adapt, taking steps to keep operations running at normal or increased capacity.”

    Meat and poultry retail sales increased 7.3% for the week ending March 8, 2020, and deli meat sales advanced 4.8% due to a shift from foodservice production. (Data and insights provided by IRI and 210 Analytics, LLC.) For more detailed information go here.

    “In these uncertain times, the data shows consumers are turning to meat and poultry to provide their families with the nourishment and comfort they need,” Potts said. “Our members are committed to meeting this need.”

    Recognizing the pressure on employees, especially hourly employees with children out of school and day care, companies have acted immediately to enhance benefits, including paid sick leave and improving access to health care to treat or detect the virus and waiving co-pays and deductibles. The Meat Institute is working with members and the federal government to anticipate and address other labor concerns.

    Companies are educating employees on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. They also recognize the critical value of the personal effort and sacrifice of employees up and down the food supply chain.

    “Perhaps most important is the generosity of member companies in donating meat or funds to foodbanks and other charities to support those in need in their communities,” said Potts.

    The Meat Institute is working with livestock groups, food and beverage industry trade associations, manufacturing organizations, USDA, congress and the White House to ensure meat and poultry producers can operate as critical infrastructure.

    “Member plants must be allowed to keep running to provide critical protein to the food supply chain,” said Potts. “The Meat Institute is encouraging members to work with state and local health authorities to enhance their understanding of meat production, especially the extensive and frequent cleaning and sanitation of facilities.”

    Communicating industry concerns to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Meat Institute sought and gained assurances that inspection service will continue and that actions are being taken to address labor shortages caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

    The Meat Institute signed a letter to federal, state, and local leaders across the country urging them to follow federal guidelines in exempting meat packing facilities, including suppliers and truck drivers, from gathering restrictions and curfews related to the Coronavirus. Emerging inconsistent policies have created confusion and delay in several areas of the United States.

    Mindful of the disruption the Coronavirus pandemic has caused in the cattle markets, the Meat Institute is working with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and committed to do everything it can to alleviate the adverse effects the pandemic is having on these critically important suppliers.

    “Everyone benefits from a transparent marketing system that ensures effective price discovery,” said Potts, “Simply put, packers need cattle producers and cattle producers need packers, and the nation’s consumers need us working together.”

    The North American Meat Institute is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry.  The Meat Institute’s members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed to produce the safest and highest quality meat and poultry products.

  • USDA Announces Feeding Program Partnership in Response to COVID-19

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a collaboration with the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, PepsiCo, and others to deliver nearly 1,000,000 meals to students in a limited number of rural schools closed due to COVID-19: 
     
    “Feeding children who are affected by school closures is a top priority for President Trump and this Administration. USDA is working with private sector partners to deliver boxes of food to children in rural America who are affected by school closures,” said Secretary Perdue. “Right now, USDA and local providers are utilizing a range of innovative feeding programs to ensure children are practicing social distancing but are still receiving healthy and nutritious food. This whole of America approach to tackling the coronavirus leverages private sector ingenuity with the exact same federal financing as the Summer Food Service Program. USDA has already taken swift action to ensure children are fed in the event of school closures, and we continue to waive restrictions and expand flexibilities across our programs.” 
     
    “We are grateful to come alongside USDA, PepsiCo, and McLane Global to ensure that children impacted by school closures get access to nutritious food regardless of where they live. We know from first-hand experience that families with children who live in rural communities across the U.S. are often unable to access the existing food sites. Meal delivery is critical for children in rural America to have consistent access to food when school is out. This is one way we, as citizens of this great nation, can respond to our neighbors in need,” said Jeremy Everett, Executive Director, Baylor University Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. 
     
    “McLane Global was proud to take part in the success of the summer Meals-2-You home delivery pilot program in 2019. It was a great opportunity to bring private industry best practices together with the USDA to combat rural hunger. Given the rapid disruptions driven by COVID-19, we can work together to swiftly take this model nationwide. McLane Global is ready to do its part to support the fight against hunger through this crisis,” said Denton McLane, Chairman, McLane Global. 
     
    “As schools around the country close, millions of schoolchildren now don’t know where their next meal is coming from. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, it’s critical that the private sector help ensure these students have access to nutritious meals,” said Jon Banner, Executive Vice President, PepsiCo Global Communications and President, PepsiCo Foundation. “PepsiCo is committing $1 million to help Baylor create a solution with USDA to identify children most in need and then we will help reach them with at least 200,000 meals per week—one way we are deploying our food and beverage resources to help those most vulnerable.” 
     
    Background:

    USDA will utilize best practices learned through a summer pilot program in 2019 to deliver food boxes to children affected by school closures due to COVID-19 in rural America. Baylor will coordinate with the appropriate state officials to prioritize students who do not currently have access to a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) site and have an active outbreak of COVID-19. Initial capacity is limited, and additional vendors are requested and encouraged to ensure we can provide food to more rural children as additional schools close. USDA has created a single contact for those who have suggestions, ideas, or want to help feed kids across the country. Email FeedingKids@usda.gov.  
     
    The Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty, McLane Global, and PepsiCo will begin distributing next week and will quickly increase capacity of nearly 1,000,000 nutritious meals per week. In addition to distribution, PepsiCo will generously provide $1 million in funding to the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty to facilitate nationwide distribution in the coming weeks. These boxes will contain five days worth of shelf-stable, nutritious, individually packaged foods that meet USDA’s summer food requirements. The use of this innovative delivery system will ensure rural children receive nutritious food while limiting exposure to COVID-19. USDA will reimburse private sector partners for the same rate as an SFSP site.
     
    Last week, Secretary Perdue announced proactive flexibilities to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the coronavirus. During an unexpected school closure, schools can leverage their participation in one of USDA’s summer meal programs to provide meals at no cost to students. Under normal circumstances, those meals must be served in a group setting. However, in a public health emergency, the law allows USDA the authority to waive the group setting meal requirement, which is vital during a social distancing situation. 
     
    USDA intends to use all available program flexibilities and contingencies to serve our program participants across our 15 nutrition programs. We have already begun to issue waivers to ease program operations and protect the health of participants. USDA is receiving requests for waivers on an ongoing basis. As of today, USDA has been asked to waive congregate feeding requirements in in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico and USDA has granted those requests.