A top official at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says the agency is making progress in relocating two major facilities to Kansas City: the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agricultural Policy. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach tells Missourinet the agency continues to transfer employees […]
Tag: USDA
Gallatin Board of Aldermen notified of fiber optic cable installation by Grundy Electric
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen approved an ordinance Monday, August 24th regarding an update to an interfund transfer ordinance. City Administrator Lance Rains reported the update was needed because the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development wanted some of the wording changed. The update involved a few minor changes, including adding that the city […]
Audio: Missouri congresswoman says Republican National Convention will focus on optimism and heroes
A west-central Missouri GOP congresswoman says this week’s 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte will focus on optimism. While U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, isn’t a delegate this year, she’s excited about the convention. “And looking at the great American heroes that we have in our local communities, and how we together collectively have made this the […]
Andrew County recognized as model program for their exemplary support of breastfeeding mothers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Andrew County, Missouri, with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Loving Support Award of Excellence for exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding WIC mothers. These awards were part of USDA’s National WIC Breastfeeding Week, celebrated August 1-7. Breastfeeding provides countless benefits to both babies and […]
New USDA survey to measure areas for improvement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced a new annual survey of farmers, ranchers, and private forestland owners. The survey will help USDA understand what it is doing well and where improvements are needed, specifically at the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Risk Management Agency. A selection of 28,000 producers will receive […]
USDA announces changes to emergency haying and grazing provisions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has announced changes for emergency haying and grazing of acres enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. This includes changes outlined in the 2018 Farm Bill that streamlines the authorization process for farmers and ranchers. “FSA authorizes emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program acres under certain […]
Missouri families receiving food stamps to get benefits extended
The USDA has approved the state’s request to extend the pandemic food stamp program benefits through August. Missouri households receiving SNAP benefits will automatically get the maximum benefits loaded onto their Electronic Bank Transfer card. “I am very pleased Missourians will receive the maximum SNAP benefit for their household size during a month when families […]
Missouri Department of Agriculture asks residents to report unsolicited seed shipments
The Missouri Department of Agriculture has received reports from residents of unsolicited seeds being delivered from foreign countries such as China and the surrounding areas. Missouri’s announcement follows several states who have also reported packages of these seeds being delivered across the United States. Consistent with nationwide reports, the packages were labeled as jewelry, specifically […]
First Vesicular Stomatitis Virus case confirmed in Missouri horse
Missouri State Veterinarian Dr. Steve Strubberg announced the state’s first case of Vesicular Stomatitis in a horse in Newton County. The announcement follows a positive confirmation from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory, making Missouri the seventh state to confirm the virus this year. As a result, the Missouri Department of […]
Farmers and ranchers turning to online sales to reach customers
Farmers and ranchers are increasingly turning to online sales to reach customers, especially with COVID-19 disrupting the operation of many farmers’ markets, restaurants, and stores. You don’t have to be particularly tech-savvy to launch an online store, but the variety of vendors, platforms and services to choose from can be daunting, and there’s no one-size-fits-all […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen accept trash bid, agree to change pool hours
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen accepted a trash service bid the evening of Monday, June 22nd. Rapid Removal’s bid was for $11.74 per month per household for the first year, $12.03 for the second year, and $12.33 for the third year. Rapid Removal’s bid was the lowest of two. Advanced Disposal also submitted a bid. […]
Rabbit show at 2020 Missouri State Fair canceled due to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease
At the direction of the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) State Veterinarian’s office, the Missouri State Fair will not host rabbit shows at the State Fair this August due to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 2 (RHDV2). Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Serotype 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease that affects both […]
Farm Service Agency county committee nominations open June 15
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting nominations for county committee members on Monday, June 15, 2020. Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for these members who make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2020 election must be postmarked or received in […]
Audio: SNAP and Food Stamps are now an option for grocery shopping online
The Missouri Department of Social Services says SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits households can use an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card to buy food online from Amazon and Walmart, and other retailers might be added. To get started with online purchasing, Food Stamp/SNAP participants can connect directly with the online store. A […]
Free ‘how to’ webinar for those selling in farmers markets on accepting EBT/SNAP payments
Are you a farmers market or direct marketing farmer or rancher who wants to expand your potential customer base by accepting electronic benefit transfer/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT/SNAP) and other electronic payments? The University of Missouri Extension is hosting an informational webinar about the MarketLink Free EBT SNAP Equipment Program at 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, April […]
Audio: Food banks are busy but say “Reach out for help if you need it”
The Food Bank of Central and Northeast Missouri helps more than a hundred thousand people a month during normal times, and more during this pandemic. Lindsay Young Lopez with the food bank says there are changes at the main pantry in Columbia. While you may have never needed a food bank before to […]
Gallatin Board of Aldermen address street paving, marijuana dispensary and possible electric rate change
The Gallatin Board of Aldermen on Monday evening accepted bids for cemetery mowing and repaving. The accepted mowing bid was from Michael Walker and was $150 for Lile Cemetery and $950 for Greenwood/Brown Cemetery. That bid was one of four submitted. The others ranged from $150 to $260 for Lile and $500 to $775 for […]
USDA unveils tool to help rural communities address COVID-19 pandemic
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a one-stop-shop of federal programs that can be used by rural communities, organizations, and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide (PDF, 349 KB) is a first-of-its-kind resource for rural leaders looking for federal funding and partnership opportunities to help address this pandemic. “Under […]
Grazing schools postponed due to COVID-19
The University of Missouri and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will postpone their annual series of management-intensive grazing schools in 2020 due to safety concerns about COVID-19. Organizers will look at the situation in late May to consider options, said MU Extension forage specialist Craig Roberts. NRCS and MU Extension specialists hold more than […]
USDA announces more than 3.4 million acres selected for general signup in Conservation Reserve Program
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. County offices will begin notifying producers with accepted offers no later than April 3. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for […]