• The Organic Trade Association announced the industry plans to ask for its own checkoff.

    As permitted in the 2014 Farm Bill, the industry expects to ask for checkoff in the first quarter of next year.

    Organic Trade Association CEO and Executive Director Laura Batcha said she believes USDA is going to be “cautious” in its guidelines, specifically pertaining to a divide between organic and conventional agriculture. She noted it would be different from other checkoff programs because it would cover a production process rather than a specific product and also cover the entire industry, not just one level of production.

  • A new partnership between Bayer CropScience and FFA will provide $50,000 in grants to promote careers in science.

    The partnership also challenges students to make advancements in improving honey bee health, according to a news release. As a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Bayer’s investment will go toward three types of grants: Supervised Agricultural Experience grants, Environmental Chapter grants and State grants. Grants will be awarded in the spring.

    To find out more visit ffa.org.

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