California Ag Network

Category: News

  • AgSafe Expands Training Sessions, Works to Meet Emerging Needs

    For more than 30 years, AgSafe has been a trusted source for safety training and compliance support for the agricultural community.

    The Modesto-based nonprofit has cemented its place in ag training in California and increasingly in other parts of the country as well. Natalie Gupton, the group’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said in just one year, AgSafe increased its training sessions by more than 35%, growing from 204 sessions reaching 3,667 people in 2022–23 to 278 sessions reaching 5,664 people in 2023–24.

    While AgSafe continues to provide essential training in worker safety, human resources and pesticide handling, the organization is also expanding its offerings to meet emerging needs in the ag industry, said President and Chief Executive Officer Theresa Kiehn.

    “We’ve spent the past five years really focusing on our supervisors because they are the ones that get so much done for our industry,” Kiehn said. “We are sponsoring classes on training the trainers, trying to help supervisors with everything from equipment safety – so tractor, forklift, ATV/UTV accident prevention – to HR topics like wage and hour and sexual harassment prevention.

    “Many of us in our roles get regular professional development, so we’re working to make sure that our ag sector is getting that as well, especially those in supervisors’ roles. We’re making sure that we’re professionalizing our industry.”

    Kiehn, who has been with AgSafe since 2009 and CEO since 2020, noted that the group has developed the Supervisors Development Academy, a five-section 20-hour program that talks about what it means to be a supervisor, how to lead teams, how to have difficult conversations and to work on people skills.

    Keith Hesterberg, President and CEO of Fresno Madera Farm Credit, emphasized the critical importance of workforce education in promoting safe practices across agriculture.

    “Safety remains a top priority in the ag industry, and AgSafe has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past 34 years by training more than 150,000 people,” said Hesterberg. “Today’s agricultural workforce faces a broader range of challenges, making AgSafe’s expanded, holistic approach more vital than ever. These comprehensive programs are essential to meeting the evolving needs of our industry well into the future.”

    Kevin Ralph, AgWest Farm Credit’s California President, said AgSafe’s signature safety conference, often held in Monterey, is also a great benefit.

    “More than 500 people attend the conference, which features more than 50 classes focusing on health, safety, human resources and leadership development, in English and Spanish,” Ralph said. “AgSafe brings in Spanish-speaking experts from key regulatory agencies to discuss the top citations and how to prevent them, and to make sure everyone is up to date. Farm Credit is proud to have sponsored the conference for many years and to have been a longstanding AgSafe associate member.”

    Farm Credit associations supporting AgSafe are AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, and Fresno Madera Farm Credit. These organizations are part of the nationwide Farm Credit System – the largest provider of credit to U.S. agriculture.

    Kiehn said Farm Credit has been a great partner.

    “We never want cost to be a barrier for folks to participate, and Farm Credit’s support has allowed us to reduce costs to ensure that we maximize participation. Farm Credit also has been one of the foundational partners that allows us to grow and maintain our helpline service. And finally, its information has been valuable to our network and whenever we’re able to share it we try to do so,” she said.

    AgSafe was formed in 1990 as increasing state and federal regulations made an injury and illness prevention program necessary. At first a coalition, it earned its 501(c)3 status in 1991 and began transitioning to a professional membership-based organization in 1994.

    But the organization isn’t content to rest on its laurels. It is developing two new program areas – stress management and making sure workers are safe around new and emerging technologies that are reshaping agriculture.

    “We want to bring in different techniques to help people manage their stress. Farming is a very, very tough industry, whether you’re an owner or a worker. Giving people resources and ways they can manage that in the right way helps them personally and helps the employer as well because a happy, healthy worker can translate into a more productive company,” Gupton said.

    She added that the rapid growth of robotics and autonomous equipment requires the industry to carefully evaluate potential safety issues and develop training to address them.

    “We’re seeing a rapid rise in robotics and autonomous equipment, and it’s essential to take a step back and evaluate their safety implications,” Gupton said. “Our goal is to develop proactive training to ensure these technologies can be adopted safely and effectively.”

    About Farm Credit:

    AgWest Farm Credit, American AgCredit, CoBank, and Fresno Madera Farm Credit are cooperatively owned lending institutions providing agriculture and rural communities with a dependable source of credit. For more than 100 years, the Farm Credit System has specialized in financing farmers, ranchers, farmer-owned cooperatives, rural utilities and agribusinesses. Farm Credit offers a broad range of loan products and financial services, including long-term real estate loans, operating lines of credit, equipment and facility loans, cash management and appraisal and leasing services…everything a “growing” business needs. For more information, visit www.farmcreditalliance.com

    About AgSafe Food & Farms:

    AgSafe, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization, is the educational leader that provides practical safety and education to the agricultural community. Since 1991 AgSafe has trained over 100,000 employers, supervisors and farm workers in the most critical issues impacting worker safety, human resources and pesticide safety. AgSafe employs a “boots on the ground” approach to these topics, teaching both the “why” and “how” to protect workers in the field, as well as packing, processing and food manufacturing facilities. For more information, visit https://agsafe.org.

  • Ants Protect Deadly Citrus Disease Vector – New Ant Management Tools

    Ants are known to interfere with biological control of key citrus pests because they feast upon the sugary honeydew produced by small insects. One of these key pests is the invasive asian citrus psyllid that vectors the deadly huanglongbing citrus disease. As California growers diligently work to keep this disease out of citrus orchards, effective ant management is a critical component in the game plan. Ivan Milosavljevic from the California Citrus Research Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss some new game-changing control strategies. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

  • USDA Advances Trump Administration’s Farmer-First Agenda at UN FAO Conference

    U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering led the delegation — on behalf of Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins — to the 44th Session of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Conference in Rome, delivering a clear message: international organizations supported by American taxpayers must deliver results that align with U.S. interests and directly benefit American farmers, ranchers, and producers.

    During the Conference, the U.S. national statement was firmly delivered, echoing President Trump’s vision and Secretary Rollins’ commitment to prioritizing American farmers and ranchers.

    “Today, the U.S. sees FAO at a crossroads,” said Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering during the U.S. national statement to the FAO plenary. “One path is business as usual—more mandates, more meetings, more process, slow progress. The other path brings us back to basics and results—focusing on FAO’s core mission and making a real and sustainable difference on the ground. When farmers and ranchers can produce more, move their goods more efficiently, and compete fairly, everyone benefits—from farm to table to globe.”

    In meetings with FAO leadership and international counterparts, Bekkering emphasized U.S. reform priorities and the need for results-based, science-driven leadership.

    Alongside Chargé d’Affaires Scott Turner of the U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, Bekkering discussed with FAO Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol how to better align FAO’s efforts with the priorities of its largest contributor. In a focused meeting with FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero, she stressed that FAO credibility depends on its use of the best available science, data and evidence.

    The United States also met with Codex Secretary Sarah Cahill and underscored the importance of Codex Alimentarius to supporting American agriculture and fostering trade and encouraged more consistent communication on how international food safety standards benefit U.S. producers. The delegation also engaged the International Fund for Agricultural Development, meeting with Ronald Hartman, Director of Global Engagement, to push for increased collaboration with the American private sector in its global investments.

    In bilateral talks with Canadian Assistant Deputy Minister Tom Rosser, Bekkering discussed joint efforts to defend transparent, evidence-based agricultural policy across multilateral settings. She welcomed Canada’s alignment on key issues related to trade facilitation and regulatory coherence, reinforcing the importance of North American leadership on the world stage. Deputy Under Secretary Bekkering also met with Sweden’s Vice Minister for Rural Affairs Daniel Liljeberg to strengthen relations while sharing concerns about EU trade-barriers including the EU Deforestation Regulation, and underscored that American farmers produce the safest, highest-quality food in the world and deserve full access to global markets.

    Looking ahead, USDA will continue engaging with the FAO and U.S. interagency partners to advance reform priorities. This includes supporting the State Department’s review of U.S. engagement with international organizations to ensure alignment with American strategic and economic interests.

  • USDA Expedites Disaster Assistance for Farmers

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced on July 9th that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).

    To expedite the implementation of SDRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering assistance in two stages. This first stage is open to producers with eligible crop losses that received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024. Stage One sign up will start in person at FSA county offices on July 10 and prefilled applications are being mailed to producers today, July 9. SDRP Stage Two signups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses will begin in early fall.

    “American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has worked around the clock to deliver this relief directly to our farmers,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are taking swift action to ensure farmers will have the resources they need to continue to produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”

    This announcement follows Secretary Rollins’ comprehensive plan to deliver the total amount of Congressionally appropriated $30 billion in disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers this year. These programs will complement the forthcoming state block grants that USDA is working with 14 different states to develop. This expeditious timeline is in direct contrast to the Biden Administration’s USDA where disaster relief programs took an average of 13 months—and in one case 19 months—to reach farmers and ranchers.

    To date, USDA has issued more than $7.8 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments to more than half a million eligible producers. Additionally, USDA has provided over $1 billion in emergency relief through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program to producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or wildfires in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

    USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and the FarmRaise online FSA education hub. Payment details will be updated here weekly. For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center.

    Program Details:

    SDRP Stage One

    FSA is launching a streamlined, pre-filled application process for eligible crop, tree, and vine losses by leveraging existing Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) indemnified loss data. The pre-filled applications will be mailed on July 9, 2025.

    Eligibility

    Eligible losses must be the result of natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024. These disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.

    To qualify for drought related losses, the loss must have occurred in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks, D3 (extreme drought), or greater intensity level during the applicable calendar year.

    Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts will not be eligible for SDRP program payments. Instead, these states chose to cover eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses through separate block grants. These block grants are funded through the $220M provided for this purpose to eligible states in the American Relief Act.

    How to Apply

    To apply for SDRP, producers must submit the FSA-526, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage One Application, in addition to having other forms on file with FSA.

    SDRP Stage One Payment Calculation

    Stage One payments are based on the SDRP adjusted NAP or Federal crop insurance coverage level the producer purchased for the crop. The net NAP or net federal crop insurance payments (NAP or crop insurance indemnities minus administrative fees and premiums) will be subtracted from the SDRP calculated payment amount.

    For Stage One, the total SDRP payment to indemnified producers will not exceed 90% of the loss and an SDRP payment factor of 35% will be applied to all Stage One payments. If additional SDRP funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.

    Future Insurance Coverage Requirements

    All producers who receive SDRP payments are required to purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two available crop years at the 60% coverage level or higher. Producers who fail to purchase crop insurance for the next two available crop years will be required to refund the SDRP payment, plus interest, to USDA.

    SDRP Stage 2

    FSA will announce additional SDRP assistance for uncovered losses, including non-indemnified shallow losses and quality losses and how to apply later this fall.

    U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced on July 9th that agricultural producers who suffered eligible crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024 can now apply for $16 billion in assistance through the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP).

    To expedite the implementation of SDRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is delivering assistance in two stages. This first stage is open to producers with eligible crop losses that received assistance under crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program during 2023 and 2024. Stage One sign up will start in person at FSA county offices on July 10 and prefilled applications are being mailed to producers today, July 9. SDRP Stage Two signups for eligible shallow or uncovered losses will begin in early fall.

    “American farmers are no stranger to natural disasters that cause losses that leave no region or crop unscathed. Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA has worked around the clock to deliver this relief directly to our farmers,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are taking swift action to ensure farmers will have the resources they need to continue to produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world.”

    This announcement follows Secretary Rollins’ comprehensive plan to deliver the total amount of Congressionally appropriated $30 billion in disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers this year. These programs will complement the forthcoming state block grants that USDA is working with 14 different states to develop. This expeditious timeline is in direct contrast to the Biden Administration’s USDA where disaster relief programs took an average of 13 months—and in one case 19 months—to reach farmers and ranchers.

    To date, USDA has issued more than $7.8 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) payments to more than half a million eligible producers. Additionally, USDA has provided over $1 billion in emergency relief through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program to producers who suffered grazing losses due to drought or wildfires in calendar years 2023 and 2024.

    USDA disaster assistance information can be found on farmers.gov, including the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster-at-a-Glance fact sheet, Loan Assistance Tool, and the FarmRaise online FSA education hub. Payment details will be updated here weekly. For more information, contact your local USDA Service Center.

    Program Details:

    SDRP Stage One

    FSA is launching a streamlined, pre-filled application process for eligible crop, tree, and vine losses by leveraging existing Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) indemnified loss data. The pre-filled applications will be mailed on July 9, 2025.

    Eligibility

    Eligible losses must be the result of natural disasters occurring in calendar years 2023 and/or 2024. These disasters include wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.

    To qualify for drought related losses, the loss must have occurred in a county rated by the U.S. Drought Monitor as having a D2 (severe drought) for eight consecutive weeks, D3 (extreme drought), or greater intensity level during the applicable calendar year.

    Producers in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Massachusetts will not be eligible for SDRP program payments. Instead, these states chose to cover eligible crop, tree, bush, and vine losses through separate block grants. These block grants are funded through the $220M provided for this purpose to eligible states in the American Relief Act.

    How to Apply

    To apply for SDRP, producers must submit the FSA-526, Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) Stage One Application, in addition to having other forms on file with FSA.

    SDRP Stage One Payment Calculation

    Stage One payments are based on the SDRP adjusted NAP or Federal crop insurance coverage level the producer purchased for the crop. The net NAP or net federal crop insurance payments (NAP or crop insurance indemnities minus administrative fees and premiums) will be subtracted from the SDRP calculated payment amount.

    For Stage One, the total SDRP payment to indemnified producers will not exceed 90% of the loss and an SDRP payment factor of 35% will be applied to all Stage One payments. If additional SDRP funds remain, FSA may issue a second payment.

    Future Insurance Coverage Requirements

    All producers who receive SDRP payments are required to purchase federal crop insurance or NAP coverage for the next two available crop years at the 60% coverage level or higher. Producers who fail to purchase crop insurance for the next two available crop years will be required to refund the SDRP payment, plus interest, to USDA.

    SDRP Stage 2

    FSA will announce additional SDRP assistance for uncovered losses, including non-indemnified shallow losses and quality losses and how to apply later this fall.

  • California Citrus and Ag Leader Passes

    Joel Andrew Nelsen unexpectedly passed away the morning of Tuesday, July 1, at the age of 78.

    Born in San Diego on September 27, 1946, to Walter and Lorraine Nelsen, Joel led a blessed life. He was known by all for his work ethic, starting as a produce clerk at Lucky Stores when he was 16. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1970, serving four tours of duty in Vietnam.

    He returned home to graduate from Cal State University, Fullerton and married the love of his life, Suezette Wingfield, on June 23, 1972. Together, Joel and Suezette had two daughters, Nicole Reynolds and Laura Nelsen. His only grandchild, Conner Joel Reynolds, arrived on September 4, 2012 and became the absolute apple of Joel’s eye.

    After years as a produce manager for Lucky stores, he became CEO of the Fresh Produce Council for 10 years. In 1982, Joel, Suezette and the girls moved to Visalia, where Joel would dedicate the next 37 years of his professional life to leading California Citrus Mutual.

    Fighting never-ending battles on behalf of the citrus industry, Joel set industry standards and became known nationwide as a warrior for his constituency. Regular trips to Sacramento, Washington D.C. and internationally were all part of Joel’s service to the citrus industry. He woke up every morning ready to contribute.

    Thanks to Joel and a very supportive board of directors, CCM became the voice of California citrus. Joel mentored many, and his accomplishments were significant, including passage of the largest tax relief package ever for California agriculture, and preventing the importation of lemons from Argentina to protect California citrus from pest and disease infestations.

    His retirement in 2019 allowed him more time with Suezette and his daughters, enjoying adventures with Conner, playing golf, tasting wine and whiskey, enjoying the Cayucos beach, and walking his dog Katy. It was never lost on Joel how fortunate he was.

    During COVID-19, Joel saw the need for starting Chit Chat on the Cul-de-Sac, a neighborhood friendship and social group. The greatest neighborhood in Visalia continues Chit Chat to this day with get-togethers and events.

    In 2023, American Pistachio Growers asked him to guide their organization through a transition period. True to form, Joel stepped up. He left retirement and became the interim President and CEO for a year.

    The world has lost a great one. His absence will be felt by everyone in his life. He was generous with his time, wisdom, and guidance. Joel will be missed, thought of often, quoted regularly and especially cherished by his loved ones, too many friends to count, Visalia Country Club golf buddies, neighborhood groups, the citrus industry, and his colleagues in government.

    Joel was preceded in death by his mother and father and his nephew, Sean Nelsen.

    He is survived by his wife Suezette, his daughters Nicole (Robert) and Laura Nelsen, along with his wonderful grandson Conner Joel. He is also survived by his brother Steven, nephew Chad (Jennifer), and nieces Jennifer (Sean), Jennifer (Tom) and Jill (Kenny), numerous grand-nieces and grand-nephews, close family friend Darlene Loose, many others that became his family, and of course, Katy.

    In lieu of flowers, Suezette has asked for you to donate to Katy’s rescue, Paw Squad 559 at 1840 Shaw Ave, 105\48 Clovis CA 93611.

    A Celebration of Life for friends and family will be held on July 24, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Visalia Country Club – 625 N Ranch St, Visalia CA 93291.  — Obituary courtesy of Smith Family Chapel.

  • Revised Forecast Reveals Larger California Almond Crop

    The 2025 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published Thursday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2025 will come in at 3.0 billion meat pounds.

    The Objective Estimate is up 7 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May and 10 percent higher than last year’s crop of 2.73 billion meat pounds.

    “The Objective Measurement reflects the hard work by California almond growers during uncertain times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “While shipping has remained consistently strong, we know uncertainty remains surrounding future trade policies. We continue to engage with trade partners and stakeholders to encourage constructive solutions that support fair and stable trade so California almonds can continue to be enjoyed by consumers around the world.”

    The 2024 harvest yielded 2.73 billion pounds, 2.5% below the 2024 Objective Report estimate, reflecting the difficulty of precisely forecasting crop size given the current fluctuations in weather and economic factors.

    The report shared the 2025 almond crop experienced variable weather during bloom, which began in early February and peaked in the middle of the month. Storms brought rain, wind and hail, which hindered bee hours and blossom growth. Conditions improved in early March with warm temperatures accelerating the crop’s progress through the end of bloom. Mild temperatures and timely rain in spring supported nut growth and continued through early summer, lessening heat stress in orchards. Lower than normal pest and disease pressure have been reported. Harvest is expected to begin on time.

    USDA-NASS’ forecasted yield is 2,160 pounds per acre, up from 1,980 in 2024. The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 4,364, an increase of 7 percent compared to 2024. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,526 is 9 percent higher than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.60 grams, down 0.6 percent from the 2024 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.60 grams, down 2 percent from the 2024 average weight.

    The 2025 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 24 to June 28 and 1,892 trees were sampled in 946 orchards. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Nursery Survey to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.

  • Scouting for Vine Mealybug and Other Pests with American Vineyard Live

    Kent Daane, UC Cooperative Extension Entomology Specialist, and Jeannine Lowrimore of Pacific Bio Control join American Vineyard Live to discuss some of the best practices for control of Vine Mealybug and other vineyard pests this summer. Watch the one hour presentation now or listen at the links below.

    Special thanks to the title sponsor Pacific Bio Control.

    Watch our previous Presentation: What Weeds are Telling You About Your Soil Health with American Vineyard Live

  • Expanded Market Access to Namibia is a Win for American Poultry Producers

    U.S. Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins announced American poultry producers will have greater market access to Namibia, which will now accept fresh, frozen, and chilled poultry exports from the United States. The Trump Administration continues to take bold action to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access for farmers and ranchers.

    “President Trump is renegotiating the status quo of bad trade deals that have left behind American farmers and ranchers for far too long. Our agriculture is the best in the world, and under President Trump’s leadership, we are providing more markets for farmers to share their bountiful harvest. The announcement today is a win for farmers, a win for exporters, and a win for freedom-loving nations who want access to safe, high-quality U.S. food,” said Secretary Rollins.

    Effective July 1, U.S. exporters are now eligible to ship fresh, frozen, or chilled poultry and poultry products to Namibia, unlocking a market valued at $15 million. In addition, USDA successfully negotiated the removal of burdensome export and transit permit requirements for processed poultry products—reopening a previously restricted channel.

    Namibia’s decision to recognize U.S. food safety standards and the work performed by the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, affirms the global reputation of USDA’s inspection system, which ensures that American poultry products are not only competitively priced, but rigorously verified for safety and wholesomeness.

    This trade win follows four years of inaction by the Biden Administration, which caused the agricultural trade balance to go from a trade surplus under President Trump to a nearly $50 billion trade deficit under President Biden. Secretary Rollins has traveled to the U.K. and Italy, and will travel to Japan, Vietnam, India, Peru, and Brazil over the next three months to fight for American farmers and ranchers. Other USDA Trade Missions this year include the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mexico.

  • California Citrus, Table Grapes & Dairy Well-Represented in Upcoming Trade Mission to Dominican Republic

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lead a high-impact trade mission to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from July 13–17 to expand market access and boost U.S. agricultural exports. The delegation includes 47 agribusinesses, trade organizations, and officials from Colorado, Montana, and Wisconsin departments of agriculture.

    “USDA is committed to growing export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses,” said Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Michelle Bekkering, who will lead the mission. “This trade mission will connect U.S. exporters with key buyers, tapping into Latin America’s growing demand for high-quality American agricultural products, supporting rural prosperity and keeping American agricultural products globally competitive.”

    With an expanding middle class, economic growth and a burgeoning hotel and restaurant industry, the Dominican Republic offers U.S. producers a stable and sustainable market in the Caribbean Basin. The country is the fourth-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports in the Western Hemisphere and the top market within the Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) region, which includes Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

    Thanks to CAFTA-DR, U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic have increased from $800 million in 2007 to $2.2 billion in 2024, with the U.S. currently supplying 44 percent of the country’s agricultural imports, supporting around 15,000 American jobs. Between 2023 and 2024 alone, exports increased 6 percent.

    Participants will meet with buyers from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Jamaica to gain market insights and forge new partnerships. USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service staff and regional experts will provide in-depth market briefings, site visits and networking events to maximize trade opportunities.

    Other participants include:

    1 Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute – Juneau, Alaska

    2 Boston Agrex LLC – Norwell, Mass.

    3 California Dairies – Visalia, Calif.

    4 California Table Grape Commission – Fresno, Calif.

    5 Colorado Department of Agriculture – Broomfield, Colo.

    6 Darigold Inc – Seattle, Wash.

    7 DoVen Foods LLC – Miami, Fla.

    8 Foodlink Group Inc. – Miami, Fla.

    9 Globex International – New York, N.Y.

    10 Grand Napa Vineyards – Napa, Calif.

    11 Hoogwegt U.S. Inc. – Lake Forest, Ill.

    12 IslandJon North America LLC – Atlanta, Ga.

    13 James Farrell & Co. – Bellevue, Wash.

    14 Lamex Agrifoods Inc. – Miami, Fla.

    15 Lawrence Wholesale LLC – Vernon, Calif.

    16 Leprino – Denver, Colo.

    17 Little Toad Creek LLC – Silver City, N.M.

    18 MacDonald Meat Company – Seattle, Wash.

    19 Merus LLC – Minneapolis, Minn.

    20 Metafoods LLC – Atlanta, Ga.

    21 Old Fashioned Cheese – Mayville, Wis.

    22 Pangea Growers Group – Boca Raton, Fla.

    23 Portal Pacific US – Rocklin, Calif.

    24 Prime International LLC – Logan, Utah

    25 Riceland – Stuttgart, Ark.

    26 Salt River Sisters – Harrodsburg, Ky.

    27 Scout & Zoe’s – Anderson, Ind.

    28 Scratch Food Group – Atlanta, Ga.

    29 SMAA Food Exports LLC – Charlotte, N.C.

    30 Stewco Farms – Bloomfield, Mo.

    31 Supreme Rice – Crowley, La.

    32 Sure Good Foods USA – Atlanta, Ga.

    33 Talmera USA Inc. – Los Angeles, Calif.

    34 Tropical Foods LLC – Miami, Fla.

    35 Trutana Foods – Great Falls, Mont.

    36 U.S. Dairy Export Council – Arlington, Va.

    37 U.S. Grains Council – Washington, D.C.

    38 U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo

    39 US Agricom Inc. – Doral, Fla.

    40 US Commodity Food Sales LLC– Doral, Fla.

    41 US Dry Bean Council – Frankenmuth, Mich.

    42 US Rice Producers Association – Katy, Texas

    43 USA Rice – Arlington, Va.

    44 Washington Apple Commission – Wenatchee, Wash.

    45 Western United States Agriculture Trade Association – Vancouver, Wash.

    46 Wisoman Foods Inc. – Hayward, Calif.

    47 Wonderful Citrus – Delano, Calif.

    USDA’s trade mission to the Dominican Republic is part of USDA’s broader 2025 export promotion strategy. So far this year, USDA has led trade missions to Hong Kong, Thailand, Peru, and Guatemala. Missions to Taiwan and Mexico are planned in the coming months.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions.

  • July USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2025, which are effective July 1, 2025. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.               

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans      

    FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.      

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for July 2025 are as follows:

    •Farm Operating Loans (Direct): 5.000%

    •Farm Ownership Loans (Direct): 5.875%

    •Farm Ownership Loans (Direct, Joint Financing): 3.875%

    •Farm Ownership Loans (Down Payment): 1.875%

    •Emergency Loan (Amount of Actual Loss): 3.750%    

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans

    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    •Commodity Loans(less than one year disbursed): 5.125%

    •Farm Storage Facility Loans:

    ◦Three-year loan terms: 3.875%

    ◦Five-year loan terms: 4.000%

    ◦Seven-year loan terms: 4.250%

    ◦Ten-year loan terms: 4.500%

    ◦Twelve-year loan terms: 4.625%

    •Sugar Storage Facility Loans(15 years): 4.750%         

    More Information

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.