citrus acreage

Report Citrus Acreage to USDA

Daniel CooperAcreage, Georgia

The executive director of the Georgia Citrus Association recently reminded fellow growers of the importance of reporting their citrus acreage to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). “Accurate acreage reporting is more than a box to check. It’s a powerful tool that directly impacts our ability to receive support, shape policy and respond to challenges,” Lindy …

usda

USDA Funds Citrus Projects

Daniel CooperDiseases, Pests, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an investment of more than $70 million in the Plant Protection Act program. This includes funding of 357 projects in fiscal year 2025. The work will strengthen the country’s defenses against plant pests and diseases, safeguard the U.S. nursery system, and enhance pest detection and mitigation efforts. Part of the funding is going …

MASC program

USDA Increases MASC Program Payment Limit and Extends Deadline

Daniel Cooperfinancial, Marketing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing an additional $650 million in funding for the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program and is extending the application deadline to Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. With a total of $2.65 billion available, MASC helps specialty crop producers expand markets and manage higher costs. FSA is also increasing …

Secretary of Agriculture

Brooke Rollins Tapped to Lead USDA

Frank GilesUSDA

President-elect Donald Trump has selected Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in his second term. Currently, Rollins serves as president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute. Rollins was formerly director of the Domestic Policy Council and assistant to the president for Strategic Initiatives in the White House under President Donald Trump, where …

USDA

USDA Announces $25 Million Fresh Citrus Purchase

Daniel CooperFresh

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Oct. 17 it will purchase up to $25 million in fresh citrus from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs. The purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. “These purchases will benefit citrus producers by …

usda

USDA to Host Workshops on Nursery Insurance Program

Daniel CooperInsurance, nursery

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded its Nursery Value Select (NVS) crop insurance program to all counties in all states. The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) is encouraging interested nursery producers to learn more about the program through upcoming informational workshops. There are three NVS workshops — two on April 18 and one on July 18. Get the …

protection

Florida Citrus Part of USDA Plant Protection Funding

Daniel CooperFlorida, Pest Management

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating more than $5 million to Florida for plant-health protection. The funding is part of a nationwide effort to strengthen the country’s infrastructure for pest detection, surveillance and mitigation, as well as protect the U.S. nursery system. Through the authority of the Plant Protection Act (PPA) Section 7721, USDA is providing more than …

navel oranges

Congressmen Urge USDA to Buy California Navels

Daniel CooperCalifornia Corner, Fresh

Four California congressmen recently asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) buy $100 million worth of California navels. The orange purchase would help alleviate the impacts of storms. The letter from Congressmen Jim Costa, David Valadao, Doug LaMalfa and Josh Harder follows: We write in support of the Section 32 request submitted …

control

USDA Funds Three Georgia Citrus Projects

Josh McGillGeorgia, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) funded three citrus projects in Georgia for fiscal year 2023. SATSUMA EDUCATIONThe Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) received $103,225 for a satsuma education project. GDA will partner with local farmers and produce distributors to increase the availability of Georgia-grown satsuma mandarins in retail locations. The project will work closely with …

USDA to Buy Fresh Grapefruit for Food Programs

Josh McGillGrapefruit

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced plans to purchase fresh grapefruit for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purpose is to encourage the continued domestic consumption of these products by diverting them from the normal channels of trade and commerce. USDA said ample availability of fresh grapefruit is projected to increase due to slower movement in …

USDA Citrus Breeding Program Focused on Rootstock and Variety Solutions

Josh McGillBreeding, Rootstocks, Varieties

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory in Fort Pierce, Florida, has been home to a citrus rootstock and variety breeding program for many years. Kim Bowman, a research geneticist, has been with the program for more than 30 years. More recently, Matthew Mattia, a geneticist, joined the breeding team. They provide an update on the program …

USDA Buying $20 Million of Fresh Mandarins

Josh McGillCalifornia Corner, Mandarins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will purchase up to $20 million of fresh mandarins and tangerines for distribution to food banks, schools and other non-conventional markets. According to California Citrus Mutual (CCM), this is the first time USDA has made such a purchase under authority of Section 32 of the Agricultural Adjustment Act Amendment of 1935. The purpose of …

loan program

More Disaster and Pandemic Aid From USDA

Josh McGillCOVID-19, hurricane

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Nov. 15 announced plans for additional emergency relief and pandemic assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA is preparing to roll out the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) Phase Two as well as the new Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP). The two programs help offset crop and revenue losses for growers. USDA is sharing early …

USDA Invites Bids to Sell Fresh Oranges

Josh McGillFresh

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invited offers to sell significant quantities of fresh oranges for use in the National School Lunch Program and other federal food and nutrition assistance programs. Deliveries of various sizes to several states are to be made at different dates between Jan. 2, 2023, and March 29, 2023. The contract specialist handling this purchase …

USDA to Enforce Imported Grapefruit Standards

Josh McGillGrapefruit, Regulation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will enforce the juice content maturity requirements on imported grapefruit. USDA will also collect the necessary data to issue a new and lasting marketing order regarding the imported grapefruit. Last fall, the USDA suspended Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for imported grapefruit without warning. As a result, low-quality grapefruit products from …

USDA Disaster Declaration for Florida Growers Impacted by Freeze

Tacy Calliesfreeze, Industry News Release

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) disaster designation for 17 counties and 10 contiguous counties impacted by the freezing temperatures that occurred in late January. View the USDA’s approval letter here. “With the approval of our request for a disaster declaration, farmers in Florida have resources available …

USDA Seeks Advisory Board Members

Josh McGillAgriculture, Citrus

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting continuous nominations for membership to its National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics (NAREEE) Advisory Board and its committees. The NAREEE board is comprised of 15 members representing a specific category of U.S. agricultural stakeholders. The board’s three committees include the Specialty Crop Committee, Citrus Disease Subcommittee and National Genetic Resources Advisory …

USDA Conducting Voluntary Yet Vital Study

Ernie NeffSurvey

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the 2021 Farm Producer Study to gain knowledge and understanding of agricultural producers and help USDA improve services to them. A brief questionnaire was mailed to approximately 75,000 U.S. agricultural producers across the country. The questionnaire, which takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, asks participants …

Insurance Improvements for Citrus From USDA

Ernie Neffcrop insurance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) recently announced improved and expanded insurance options for citrus growers and others. 2022 CHANGES FOR FLORIDANext year, Florida producers will be able to insure several citrus commodities under an Actual Production History Plan that offers advantages over the existing Florida Citrus Fruit Dollar Plan. This product provides individualized coverage based …

USDA Expands Citrus Imports From Australia

Ernie NeffTrade

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is expanding the production areas in Australia from which fresh citrus fruit may be shipped to the United States. It is also revising the conditions under which citrus from Australia may be imported. Currently, imports of fresh citrus fruit are allowed into the United States from the Riverina …