USDA Takes Aim at Invasive Species with $48M Investment

Apr 03, 2014

The 2014 Farm Bill is being rolled out, which includes an allocation towards mitigating the introduction and spread of invasive pests.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agreed to pledge $48.1 million towards invasive pest control projects, funds which are approved in the farm bill.

Government scientists peg the economic cost of invasive species to be approximately $120 billion annually.

Highlights of some of the approved projects include:

• $2 million to tackle exotic fruit flies in California
• $270,907 towards honey bee research and identifying pests and disease threats
• $290,000 towards ongoing projects which involve noxious/invasive weed surveying
• $224,894 for the National Plant Board to develop a national strategy for nursery certification with respect to reducing the risk of plant diseases in nursery stock

There are approximately 383 projects in 49 states that will receive funding.

In addition to the funding announcement, the USDA declared April as Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month.

Video: EP 72 Connection People to Place – Stories of Regeneration Part 5

2023 was a challenging year for Canadian farmers and ranchers and for humanity in general. We had droughts, wildfires, floods, an affordability crisis and a number of armed conflicts. According to scientists working with the European Union, 2023 smashed temperature records globally.

And yet, someone like Nova Scotia agricultural producer Rachel Lightfoot still finds ways of being optimistic even after her farm got hit by a polar vortex, a dry spring and a very rainy summer all in the same year.

Welcome to Stories of Regeneration, a podcast series brought to you by Rural Routes to Climate Solutions and Regeneration Canada. Join me, your host Derek Leahy, as we delve into the importance of supporting an agricultural system that not only prioritizes the health of our land and ecosystems but also ensures the sustainability of our farmers and ranchers. Get ready to explore the transformative power of regenerative agriculture.