Ag Report 8.6.25

Arizona Agriculture Connection: Key Updates for August

We're thrilled to bring you the latest edition of the Arizona Agriculture Connection. This time, we have several important updates from the world of agriculture in Arizona and beyond.

USDA Reorganization Announcement

Since our last update, the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, has announced a significant reorganization of the USDA. This shift aims to realign its core operations with its founding mission: supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry. The reorganization plan lays out four key points:

1. Ensuring that the size of the USDA's workforce aligns with available financial resources and agricultural priorities.

2. Bringing the USDA closer to its customers.

3. Eliminating unnecessary management layers and bureaucracy.

4. Consolidating redundant support functions.

Livestock Import Suspension

In other important news, livestock imports from Mexico have been temporarily suspended. This comes in response to the confirmation of a new world screw worm found 370 miles south of the US border. Livestock owners are urged to remain vigilant and utilize available resources to protect their herds. For more information, resources can be found here.

Arizona Water News

Moving closer to home, the Arizona Department of Water Resources has approved a significant groundwater transfer from the Harquahala Basin to the cities of Buckeye and Queen Creek. This marks the first transfer of its kind under the Arizona Revised Statutes, section 45-554, and will provide crucial support for these rapidly growing urban areas. For more details, you can listen to last week’s episode "All About Arizona Water."

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Don't forget, the comment period is now open through August 29th for the Arizona Department of Agriculture's Livestock Operator Fire and Flood Assistance Program. Additionally, there is a public hearing scheduled for August 20th at 10:00 AM, and you can register for it here.

We are also one week away from the Maricopa County Farm Bureau’s annual meeting. Be sure to RSVP here, as we have an exciting agenda planned that you won't want to miss.

Women's Leadership Committee Event

Lastly, the Women's Leadership Committee is hosting an upcoming event—the August PEAL Meetup. It's scheduled for August 18th at the Arizona Department of Agriculture. Join us for a tour of the department, followed by a Q&A session with director staff and a debrief afterward. Additional details and RSVP options are available here.

Thank you for tuning into our latest updates. We look forward to catching up with you next week when we will dive into the fascinating world of GMOs. Stay connected, Arizona Aggies!