Finally, USDA organic transition package includes crop insurance subsidies – August 23, 2022

Finally, USDA organic transition package includes crop insurance subsidies

The Agriculture Department will spend $300 million to help farmers transition to organic production and on “pinpointed” market development projects, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. It would be the single largest investment ever in organic agriculture by the USDA “and a big step in the right direction,” said the Organic Trade Association.

Pandemic amplified global rise in food insecurity

More and more people were going hungry or lacking reliable access to food even before Covid-19 hit in 2020, and “the main effect of the pandemic was to sharply increase the deteriorating trend in food security” in low- and middle-income nations, said an Iowa think tank. “Most of the increase in the number of food-insecure people from Covid-19 in 2020 was driven by large Asian countries, particularly India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.”

Danone needs to do more, say organic dairy farmers

Organic agriculture groups challenged Danone North America on Monday to match the USDA commitment to support organic dairy farming in the Northeast. “We urge Danone to invest at least $20 million in this region, matching the USDA taxpayer investment to aid organic dairy farmers to overcome this crisis,” said six organic groups on the anniversary of Danone’s decision to terminate contracts with 89 dairy farms in the region.

TODAY’S QUICK HITS

Climate-smart product launch: The USDA will launch its “pretty significant” initiative on climate-smart agricultural products in September, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Earlier this year, the USDA solicited proposals for up to $1 billion in pilot projects. (The Packer)

Proposed railroad pay increase: A federal panel created to referee the contract dispute between labor unions and major railroads recommended a 24 percent compounded pay raise over five years and the removal of a cap on workers’ share of healthcare coverage. (Feed and Grain)

Bronaugh on beginning farmers: Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh and Rep. Jahana Hayes will participate in a “stakeholder conversation” on USDA programs for small and beginning farmers on Wednesday at a farm in East Canaan, Connecticut. (FERN’s Ag Insider)

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