News from May 2023


APHIS’ Commodity Treatment Information System Will Only Accept Extensible Markup Language (XML) Starting September 1, 2023

On August 30, 2023, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will retire text file formats (TXT) for uploading in-transit cold treatment temperature data into the Commodity Treatment Information System (CTIS).


APHIS Announces Finding of No Significant Impact to Control Spotted Lanternfly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decision for an environmental assessment (EA) to control spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Rhode Island, a potentially devastating invasive species to agriculture and other resources.


APHIS Seeks Comment on Draft Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Ginseng from the Republic of Korea into the United States

APHIS has drafted a pest risk assessment (PRA) and risk management document (RMD) for the importation of fresh ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) from the Republic of Korea into the United States.


APHIS Posts New Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) Eradication Program Report

APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Pale Cyst Nematode (PCN) Eradication Program in Idaho has posted its 2023 first quarter report (January 1 – March 31).


APHIS Partners With Greenville Zoo on Zoo and Aquarium Serology Study

Veterinarians with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently partnered with the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, South Carolina, to gather information for the Zoo and Aquarium Serology Study.


USDA Proposes Declaring Salmonella an Adulterant in Breaded Stuffed Raw Chicken Products

On April 25, 2023, FSIS announced a proposed determination to declare Salmonella an adulterant in breaded stuffed raw chicken products when they exceed a very low level of Salmonella contamination.


USDA Offers Funding to Protect Agricultural Lands

The U.S. Department of Agriculture encourages groups wanting to protect agricultural land to consider enrolling in its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.


Virginia NRCS Announces Funding Available for New Partnerships, Conservation Innovations

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Virginia has issued two notices of funding for innovative proposals that would encourage expansion of conservation activities within the state.


NRCS California Allocates $2 Million to Assist Farmers Recover from Floods

Beginning today, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is setting aside $2 million in federal financial assistance to help California’s agricultural producers recover from recent flooding.


NRCS Pacific Islands Area (PIA) Accepting Applications to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic as Part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced details around its $75 million nationwide investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.


NRCS Texas to hold State Technical Committee meeting

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas will hold a meeting of the State Technical Committee on May 16, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Holiday Inn Temple-Belton, 5247 S. General Bruce Drive, Temple, Texas.


2023 Wisconsin NRCS Public Conservation Virtual Meeting Announced

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin has announced one statewide virtual Local Working Group (LWG) meeting to include a statewide presentation and four breakout sessions by NRCS administrative areas for further feedback to follow.


USDA Kicks-off Effort to Expand Market Opportunities for Climate-Smart Commodities and Learn from Pilot Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the official kick-off of the implementation phase for projects funded through the $3.1 billion Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities effort.


2023 Outreach and Agriculture Expo.

From April 17 to the 22, members of the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) of North Carolina (N.C.) attended the 2023 Outreach and Agriculture Expo Conference co-hosted by the National Organization of Professional Black Natural Resources Conservation Service Employees (NOPBNRCSE) and Alcorn State University Policy Center.


Plant Materials Program 2022 Report of Activities

Plant Materials Centers publish an annual report to summarize significant Plant Materials related activities within a calendar year.


FFA State Land Judging Competition Held in Perry County Alabama

Recently, staff from Alabama NRCS, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Resource Conservation and Development, and the Alabama Forestry Commission had the opportunity to assist the Alabama FFA Association with their annual Land Judging CDE (Career Development Event).


Indiana NRCS recognizes the start of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander History and Heritage Month

Each May since 1992, the United States of America has celebrated the culture and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders.


Wildlife Habitat Meets the Bees Needs and More

In 1987, James and Carol Crawford of Denmark, Wisconsin purchased a degraded dairy farm in Brown County. Shortly after that purchase, they enrolled in the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to plant 20,000 trees on the property.


Indiana NRCS Announces Extension of Women4theLand Program

Nearly 388 million acres of U.S. land—about 40% of the nation’s farmland—is now farmed or co-farmed by women. Even though their role in agriculture has increased in recent years, women still face gender barriers affecting their ability to manage their land for long-term sustainability.


Wetland Scrapes the Surface of Land Restoration Goals

Retired Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources technician, Carol Eloranta, grew up on a dead-end road in Clark County.