USDA Commits $20 Million to Innovative Conservation Projects

USDA Commits $20 Million to Innovative Conservation Projects Proposals sought for water quality, outreach and conservation finance WASHINGTON, March 7, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of up to $20 million in competitive grants through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. The program aims to spark the development and adoption of cutting-edge conservation technologies and approaches for farmers, ranchers and other landowners. "The Conservation Innovation Grant program has an impressive track record of fostering innovative conservation tools and strategies," said Vilsack. "Successes in the program can translate into new opportunities for historically underserved landowners, help resolve pressing water conservation challenges and leverage new investments in conservation partnerships with farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders." Administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), CIG is part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and is designed to focus on innovative conservation projects that promote science-based solutions to benefit both producers and the environment. Projects may include on-farm pilot projects and field demonstrations, and are funded to accelerate the transfer and adoption of promising technologies to landowners in order to address critical natural resource concerns. Since 2009, USDA has invested over $145 million to fund nearly 400 national and regional CIG awards. The CIG program spurs development of new tools and practices to improve things like on-farm energy and fertilizer use as well as market-based strategies to improve water quality or mitigate climate change. In 2016, USDA is seeking applications for innovative conservation projects to benefit historically underserved agricultural producers, improve and protect water quality, and demonstrate the effectiveness of public private partnerships for conservation, sustainable agriculture and forestry. Up to $2 million of this fiscal year's CIG funding has been set aside for projects targeted to historically underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers, beginning farmers and ranchers, and those with limited resources. In 2015, for example, the Minnesota Food Association was awarded funds to assist with the transfer of proven conservation technologies used in organic systems to historically underserved producers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and to assist those producers with implementing conservation practices by addressing land tenure issues and accessing NRCS programs. USDA is also seeking CIG proposals for projects to stimulate natural resource solutions to protect or improve the quality of ground and surface water. Last year, Tó Łání Enterprises (TLE), received a CIG award to conduct a three-year national pilot project to demonstrate the environmental, agricultural, economic and sociocultural effectiveness and benefits of solar energy systems for pumping irrigation water. The project was designed to encourage the adoption of such systems among Navajo, Hopi and other American-Indian tribes. The early results have been so promising that the solar-powered system has already been adopted by many Navajo farmers. In 2015, NRCS made eight CIG awards for projects in the burgeoning field of conservation finance and impact investing. For 2016, USDA is seeking projects that develop additional innovative investment strategies that leverage private capital for private lands conservation. CIG funding may be used to help mitigate risk associated with new conservation investment vehicles, through the use of approaches such as first loss strategies, price floors, guarantees, buyer of last resort mechanisms or other credit enhancements. Successful proposals will demonstrate a likelihood of success and clear metrics for conservation outcomes warranting the use of public funds to support risk mitigation strategies. CIG awards are made through a nationally competitive process. Projects may be single or multi-year, but cannot exceed three years. Projects must involve EQIP-eligible agricultural producers or landowners. At least 50 percent of the total cost of CIG projects must come from non-federal matching funds, including in-kind contributions. A fact sheet summarizing other top CIG projects is available on the NRCS CIG website. Applications for CIG projects are due by May 10, 2016. More information is available on the NRCS CIG website. This year's application process includes two other significant changes: an increase in the maximum award amount to $2 million, up from $1 million in 2015, and a streamlined single proposal process. Since 2009, USDA has invested more than $29 billion to help producers make conservation improvements, working with as many as 500,000 farmers, ranchers and landowners to protect over 400 million acres nationwide, boosting soil and air quality, cleaning and conserving water and enhancing wildlife habitat. For an interactive look at USDA's work in conservation and forestry over the course of this Administration, visit https://medium.com/usda-results. #

Frustration for farmers as farm bill shortcomings surface Mar 2, 2016 by Ron Smith in Farm Press Blog

No sooner had we published stories about cotton farmers “persevering” through hard times, and other farmers looking to the farm bill’s safety nets (ARC and PLC) to ease them through what was a challenging year in 2015, than I began receiving calls and e-mails questioning the premises that (1) cotton farmers are anything but on the cusp of wrack and ruin, or (2) that grain farmers are finding anything but disappointment in the farm bill’s safety nets. Believe me, I understand the frustration. The Agriculture Act of 2014 is nothing like farm bills of the past, in which producers had at least some assurance of income assistance when crops or markets failed. Cotton was removed completely as an included commodity, and left only an insurance-based protection plan. Grain and some other crop producers had a more complex decision-making process than ever before — but fewer certainties, and also more insurance-based risk protection. For the latest on southwest agriculture, please check out Southwest Farm Press Daily and receive the latest news right to your inbox. A Texas wheat farmer who selected the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) option phoned to voice his frustration. When the crop was harvested — not a good one by any means — he discovered that he didn’t qualify for payments because the program he chose depended on county losses. Farmers in nearby counties, he says, received payments. He’s concerned that he and other growers may not survive crop or market disasters under these new programs. A cotton farmer rang “to vent,” noting that cotton producers in his area weren’t persevering, but were on the brink of losing their farms. Crop insurance, including the Stacked Income Protection Plan (STAX), was of little help, he says, since low yields the last few years left coverage levels low and premium costs high.

FDA request help from Beef producers.

Dear NACAA Member, The FDA is asking for your help. Because animal producers often receive current information about issues impacting animal agriculture from agricultural agents and university extension staff members, you can do us and animal producers a significant service. A major change is coming on January 1, 2017, for the judicious use of antimicrobials in medicated feed for food animals (such as livestock, poultry, and aquaculture). These changes mean some antimicrobial drugs used in medicated feed will change from over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to veterinary feed directive (VFD) drugs. To use a VFD drug in medicated feed the animal producer needs an order from a veterinarian. That order is called a veterinary feed directive (VFD). The FDA recently revised the rule for the authorization, manufacturing, distribution, and use of VFD drugs and VFD medicated feed. This rule impacts: veterinarians; the distributors of the VFD feed such as commercial feed mills or feed retailers; and the animal producers who are referred to in the rule as clients. This email contains resources for you to help animal producers understand this change and how it impacts them. You might ask, why should I participate in a program to describe an FDA rule? The simple answer is this – you can help your animal producer clients comply with the revised rule. In addition, by becoming knowledgeable and by providing information about the changes for certain antimicrobial drugs used in medicated feed and the VFD requirements, you are an important partner in FDA's strategy to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals. FDA’s strategy to promote the judicious use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals will bring the use of certain drugs under veterinary supervision so they are used only when necessary for animal health. The VFD final rule outlines the process for authorizing use of VFD drugs (which are animal drugs intended for use in or on animal feed that require the supervision of a licensed veterinarian) and provides veterinarians in all states with a framework for authorizing the use of medically important antimicrobials in feed when needed for specific animal health purposes. In addition to the rule’s impact on medicated feed, affected water-soluble drugs will change from OTC status to prescription status. The following link will take you to CVM’s VFD webpage: http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/ucm071807.htm For VFD questions and answers, please see: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/UCM052660.pdf For information about drugs transitioning from Over-the-Counter (OTC) to Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Status, please see: http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/developmentapprovalprocess/ucm482107.htm And for questions and answers about the VFD form common format, please see: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/GuidanceComplianceEnforcement/GuidanceforIndustry/UCM474640.pdf. We appreciate your help on this important public health issue. Should you have questions or would like to talk with someone please, contact AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov. Sincerely, The FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine Animal Feed Safety System Team

American Farm Bureau Federation joins initiative to give farmers control of data they collect

American Farm Bureau Federation joins initiative to give farmers control of data they collect AFBF Press Release The American Farm Bureau Federation and a host of other agricultural groups today revealed a ground-breaking data repository that supporters say will give farmers ultimate control over the ever-increasing business data gathered and transmitted by high-tech farm machinery. Tractors, tilling equipment, planters, sprayers, harvesters and agricultural drones are increasingly connected to the Internet. Even so, farmers don't always have the ability to precisely control where that data goes, nor transfer it from one data processor to another. The newly formed Agricultural Data Coalition will empower farmers to better control, manage and maximize the value of the data they collect every day in the fields. More here

USDA Celebrates 50 Years of School Breakfast, Offers $6.8 Million in Grants to Support Healthy School Meals

USDA Celebrates 50 Years of School Breakfast, Offers $6.8 Million in Grants to Support Healthy School Meals WASHINGTON, March 7, 2016 – As schools around the county take part in School Breakfast Week celebrations this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) commemorates the 50th anniversary of its School Breakfast Program by shining a light on the positive impacts of school breakfast. Over the course of this administration, participation in school breakfast programs has increased by almost 27 percent; over 14 million students are now eating school breakfast each day. To help support the ongoing success of the School Breakfast Program and other child nutrition programs, Agriculture Undersecretary Kevin Concannon announced today that USDA will award up to $6.8 million in competitive Team Nutrition Training Grants to help schools and child care sites sustain the successful implementation of the healthier meals made possible by the bipartisan Healthy Hunger-free Kids Act of 2010. "As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the School Breakfast Program, we reflect on the great strides the program has made in strengthening the health and nutrition of children in America. The School Breakfast Program allows millions of students to start their day with a well-balanced breakfast, which, in turn, is linked to better performance in the classroom, better attendance, and better health," said Concannon. Research using USDA data found that students with access to school breakfast tend to have a better overall diet and a lower body mass index (BMI) than did nonparticipants. Other research has shown that students who consume breakfast make greater strides on standardized tests, pay attention and behave better in class, and are less frequently tardy, absent or visiting the nurse's office. School breakfast is especially important for teens, who are less likely to eat breakfast than other age groups, and lower income students who may be at risk of food insecurity. USDA has been committed to ensuring that students around the country can enjoy the benefits of school breakfast by helping schools implement and enhance their school breakfast programs. USDA has also worked with schools to encourage the use of the Community Eligibility Provision, a cost-sharing agreement that allows high-poverty schools to serve both breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost to the student. Subsequently, the reach of the School Breakfast Program has rapidly increased over the past seven years. More than 14 million children participated in school breakfast during the last school year, an increase of nearly 3 million, since the beginning of the administration. In fact, last year over 2.3 billion breakfasts were served by more than 90,000 schools and child care sites. School Breakfast Week is celebrated in the midst of National Nutrition Month, commemorated each March. Throughout the month, USDA is highlighting the results of our efforts to improve access to safe, healthy food for all Americans and supporting the health of our next generation. For example, since the updated school nutrition standards were implemented in school year 2013-14, school breakfasts are healthier than ever before, including a serving of fruit, whole-grain-rich grains, and low fat or fat free milk. The Team Nutrition grants announced today aim to continue the advancement of the child nutrition programs, including the School Breakfast Program. "The $6.8 million in grant funds USDA is offering to support school breakfast and other child nutrition programs demonstrates our commitment to providing schools and child care sites the resources and support they need to help kids start their day off right and continue strong all day long," said Concannon. USDA's Team Nutrition initiative provides technical assistance, training, and nutrition education resources for schools and child care providers participating in USDA's child nutrition programs. Grants through this program are intended to conduct and evaluate training, nutrition education, and technical assistance activities to support the implementation of USDA nutrition standards for snacks and meals, like school breakfast. For more information on the request for grant applications as well as summaries of activities conducted by previous grantees, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/team-nutrition-training-grants. The School Breakfast Program is one of USDA's Food and Nutrition Service's 15 nutrition assistance programs, which also include the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Together, these programs comprise America's nutrition safety net. #

EPA Takes Strong Steps to Prevent Poisonings and Protect Workers from Paraquat

EPA Takes Strong Steps to Prevent Poisonings and Protect Workers from Paraquat WASHINGTON—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to take action to stop poisonings caused by accidental ingestion of the herbicide paraquat, which can also cause severe injuries or death from skin or eye exposure. “We are taking tough steps to prevent people from accidentally drinking paraquat and to ensure these tragic deaths become a thing of the past,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the office of chemical safety and pollution prevention. “We are also putting safety measures in place to prevent worker injuries from exposure to this pesticide.” Since 2000, there have been 17 deaths – three involving children caused by accidental ingestion of paraquat. These cases have resulted from the pesticide being illegally transferred to beverage containers and later mistaken for a drink and consumed. A single sip can be fatal. To prevent these tragedies, EPA is proposing: • New closed-system packaging designed to make it impossible to transfer or remove the pesticide except directly into the proper application equipment; • Special training for certified applicators who use paraquat to emphasize that the chemical must not be transferred to or stored in improper containers; and • Changes to the pesticide label and warning materials to highlight the toxicity and risks associated with paraquat. In addition to the deaths by accidental ingestion, since 2000 there have been three deaths and many severe injuries caused by the pesticide getting onto the skin or into the eyes of those working with the herbicide. To reduce exposure to workers who mix, load and apply paraquat, EPA is proposing: • Prohibiting application from hand-held and backpack equipment, and • Restricting the use to certified pesticide applicators only (individuals working under the supervision of a certified applicator would be prohibited from using paraquat). Paraquat is one of the most widely-used herbicides in the U.S. for the control of weeds in many agricultural and non-agricultural settings and is also used as a defoliant on crops such as cotton prior to harvest. The proposal will be available for a 60 day public comment period. EPA will consider all public comments before finalizing these proposed actions later this year. Actions on specific pesticides are one way that EPA is protecting workers from pesticide exposure. EPA’s revised Worker Protection Standard and proposed Certification and Training Rule will also protect farmworkers and pesticide applicators. To view related documents and submit comments, go to docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0855 at www.regulations.gov. For more information on paraquat: https://www.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/paraquat-dichloride . R38

Judge upholds ruling vacating lesser prairie chicken listing

By Mella McEwen mmcewen@mrt.com | 0 comments Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Junell on Monday upheld his September 2015 ruling overturning the listing of the lesser prairie chicken as “threatened.” The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas denied a motion by the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to amend Junell’s original judgme, according to a press release from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. After he vacated the listing, the agencies appealed, asking that the decision be remanded to the Fish and Wildlife Service or that the judge’s ruling be limited to the Permian Basin. The Permian Basin Petroleum Association, along with Chaves, Eddy, Lea and Roosevelt counties in New Mexico, had sued the agencies after the listing. In response to the court’s ruling Monday, PBPA President Ben Shepperd issued the following statement: “The PBPA applauds Judge Junell’s denial of the Motion made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior. This ruling serves as vindication of the unprecedented stakeholder participation across the lesser prairie chicken range.” The association also applauded the decision. The association is responsible for implementing the LPC Range-wide Conservation Plan. Under this plan, more than 180 oil and gas, pipeline, electric transmission and wind energy companies have enrolled in conservation agreements to avoid, minimize, or mitigate their operations’ impact on the chicken. In the process, these companies have committed $45.9 million in enrollment and impact fees to cover off-site mitigation actions for unavoidable impacts and which contributes to habitat conservation. The chicken’s population increased 25 percent from 2014 to 2015, in part as a result of industry’s conservation efforts. More than 101,000 acres of farm and ranch land have been enrolled in 10-year agreements, and an additional 1,600 acres have been enrolled in permanent conservation to offset industry impact. http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/cadc/14-5284/14-5284-2016-03-01.html