Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

09/11/2026

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT FOR UTAH FARMERS & RANCHERS 🚨

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) has approved unprecedented financial relief for agricultural producers with active UDAF loans to help offset this year’s severe drought, wildfires, and rising operating costs.

Starting November 1, 2026, state leaders are rolling out two major relief measures:

0% Interest for 1 Full Year
• Applies automatically to every active UDAF loan from Nov 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2027.
• No application required — your rate will drop automatically. Rates return to original terms on Nov 1, 2027.

Optional 12-Month Payment Deferral
• Need extra breathing room? You can request to defer payments for up to 12 months.
• Flexible options available across monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual schedules.
• Already paid your 2026 installment? You can defer your 2027 payment instead.

⏰ DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR DEFERRAL: October 31, 2026

🔗 Submit your deferral request here: https://ag.utah.gov/conservation/agricultural-loans/

Agricultural LoansConservationHomeConservationAgricultural LoansExisting agricultural loansBeginning November 1, 2026, interest rates across all existing UDAF loans will be set to 0% for one full year to support producers in Utah. Effective Dates: November 1, 2026 – October 31, 2027. Automatic App...

09/10/2026

09/10/2026

It’s opening weekend! The Utah State Fair is back, and there’s something for everyone—from agriculture and animals to food, rides, exhibits and entertainment. 🎡

The rodeo is also going on, so make sure stop by the Utah’s Own booth to grab some FREE merch! 🤠

Come make some memories at the fair! 🎟️✨

09/10/2026

🌱 September is National Organic Month!

Behind every certified organic product is a set of standards, records, inspections and people working to uphold the integrity of the organic label. UDAF’s Organic Program helps Utah operations navigate the certification process and verify that their practices meet USDA organic standards.

Whether you’re a consumer looking to learn more about organic agriculture or a Utah producer interested in becoming certified, UDAF is here as a resource.

Learn more about organic certification and the UDAF Organic Program at ag.utah.gov/plant-industry/organic-program.

09/09/2026

09/02/2026

Got unwanted or unusable pesticides? UDAF is hosting a FREE pesticide collection event on October 14 in Salt Lake City.

Farmers, agricultural producers, licensed pesticide professionals and the general public can safely dispose of unwanted, expired or degraded pesticides. This includes, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides.

📅 October 14, 2026
🕘 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
📍 UDOT Road Shed | 1950 S 500 W, Salt Lake City

Please note: Only pesticides will be accepted. Fertilizers without an integrated pesticide and other waste products will not be accepted.

08/27/2026

Utah’s working lands play a vital role in both our state economy and wildlife conservation. Operations like Skyrider Wilderness Ranch demonstrate how working agriculture and habitat preservation go hand-in-hand.

To safeguard surrounding ecosystems adjacent to state wildlife lands, the ranch partnered with The Nature Conservancy to establish the D. Gary Young Wildlife Sanctuary—placing 11,000 acres into a permanent conservation easement.

This legal framework allows agricultural production—including livestock grazing and specialty crop cultivation—to continue uninterrupted, while simultaneously securing critical wintering grounds and migration corridors for native wildlife.

Voluntary conservation easements ensure Utah’s agricultural lands remain productive, open, and resilient for generations to come.

Are you a Utah farmer or rancher interested in protecting your land for the future? Learn more about agricultural conservation easements through the UDAF Land Conservation Program at ag.utah.gov/conservation.

08/24/2026

Join the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food and partner organizations for The Nancy Arbon Kids in Science Day on September 16, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Utah Public Health Lab Courtyard in Taylorsville.

Bring the whole family for hands-on activities including capturing fingerprints, meeting cadaver dogs, practicing crime scene photography, experimenting with X-rays, and learning about germs!

Tickets are FREE and include a snack and drink, but registration is required. Reserve your spot today at https://forms.gle/u9h8j3egjurZ6HmH9

08/18/2026

The Utah Office of Tourism invites you to the 2026 Utah Tourism Conference!

Join tourism professionals from across Utah October 14–16 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Heber Valley for three days of learning, networking and collaboration.

Hear from tourism leaders, gain practical insights and strategies, and connect with industry partners from across the state.

Learn more and register at utahtourismconference.com

08/17/2026

Each year, the UDAF Noxious Weeds Program monitors projects across the state to evaluate treatment effectiveness and track vegetation changes over time. Because many projects span several years, continued monitoring gives the team a clearer picture of how vegetation responds to treatment.

Last year, the team completed monitoring of a medusahead treatment at Coldwater Ranch in Paradise, Utah. The project began in fall 2023, when UDAF established two monitoring transects.

A third transect was added in spring 2024 after another large patch of medusahead was identified. The team monitored all three transects in spring 2024 and again in spring 2025, collecting vegetation cover and species data to document changes.

The results provide insight into how treatment affected both invasive and desirable vegetation. By continuing to monitor these sites, UDAF can evaluate treatment outcomes and apply those findings to future noxious w**d management efforts.

Swipe through to see what the team documented at Coldwater Ranch and what the data showed following treatment.