August 27, 2022

IN THIS ISSUE

• USDA to Invest $15 Million in Innovative Projects for Climate-Smart Agriculture, Urban Agriculture and Addressing Invasive Species
• Ryan Taylor on 1010KSIR
• Corn Producers Encouraged to Complete USDA Surveys
• CCAC Farm Program Survey
• President Biden Signs Bill Providing New Support for On-Farm Conservation and Biofuels as Climate Solutions
• NCGA Applauds New Round of USDA Grants to Extend Infrastructure for Biofuels
• CALP Applications Due Sept 1

Corn Producers Encouraged to Complete USDA Surveys

The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is in the process of surveying producers on key farm issues. The following upcoming surveys are available:

Now – through Early September - 5 NASS’s Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations survey

• No one knows the story of conservation in U.S. ag better than farmers and ranchers. Don’t miss your chance to tell that story! Respond to USDA NASS’s Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey by Sept. 5. Survey data will guide the implementation of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service programs in the future. Respond online at www.agcounts.usda.gov.

In the mail… September Grain Stocks Report

• Grain Stocks Report survey is in the mail. Survey data help the industry evaluate export potential and calculate supply of the crops available for the marketing year. You can respond securely online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. This survey collects information on stocks of whole grains and oilseeds stored off-farm as of Sept. 1.

Coming in November… The Census of Agriculture

• Farmers are encouraged to take part in the Census of Agriculture in November. The Census of Agriculture is a complete count of U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every county and state in the nation.

CCAC Farm Program Survey

The Colorado Corn Administrative Committee is collecting information on farm bill programs. Your answers are anonymous and will help provide farmer feedback on what is working and what is not working with current farm programs. It is confidential and anonymous. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.

President Biden Signs Bill Providing New Support for On-Farm Conservation and Biofuels as Climate Solutions

President Biden signed a bill into law that addresses issues ranging from health care to the environment and includes new funding to encourage agricultural conservation programs and advance biofuels.

The law allocates $19.9 billion in funding for U.S. Department of Agriculture’s conservation programs and $1 billion for additional conservation technical assistance. These allocations include:

• $8.45 billion for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program
• $6.75 billion for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program
• $3.25 billion for the Conservation Stewardship Program
• $1.4 billion for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program

To advance biofuels, the legislation includes:

• $500 million for infrastructure for greater market deployment of higher blends of biofuels
• New tax credits based on carbon reduction to incentivize clean fuels such as biofuels like ethanol and new sustainable aviation fuel

NCGA Applauds New Round of USDA Grants to Extend Infrastructure for Biofuels

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is now accepting applications for $100 million in competitive grants to increase the sale and use of higher blends of biofuels like ethanol. The funding, made available through USDA’s Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program, will help more fuel retailers and distributors offer consumers lower-cost and lower-emissions fuels, like E15 and E85, by sharing the cost to expand infrastructure such as pumps, dispensers and storage tanks. 

“Higher blends of ethanol, like E15 and E85, are homegrown fuels that save consumers money at the pump while cutting emissions and improving the nation’s energy security,” said Iowa farmer and NCGA President Chris Edgington. “That is why corn growers applaud USDA for investing in additional infrastructure to help more retailers reach more consumers with clean, affordable biofuels.” 

USDA will provide cost-share grants of up to 50% of total eligible project costs and expects to fund approximately 200 grant awards with the allocated funds. Applications will close November 21 at 4:30 ET, and interested applicants can find more information from USDA here. 

CALP Applications Due Sept 1

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 26-September 5 - Colorado State Fair

https://coloradostatefair.com/