usda

RCPP Partner Portal is Now Open and Accepting Applications

Dan Drought, Environment, Soil, USDA-NRCS, Water

We told you last week that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. This week, NRCS put out a reminder that the RCPP Partner Portal is open …

southern

Drought in Southeast Takes Toll on Pasture Conditions

Dan Cattle, Drought, Livestock

While relief from heat and dry conditions across the Southeast is in the forecast for some areas, the lack of topsoil moisture continues to be a major factor. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, poor pasture conditions in our area and other parts of the country largely reflect areas where there is drought.

infrastructure

Fried to Roll Out Climate Change Priorities

Dan Climate Change, Drought, Drought, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Water

(NSF-Oct. 2, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday plans to roll out legislative priorities focused on climate change. Warning of greater coastal flooding and more powerful hurricanes, the package will address issues such as renewable energy, farm resilience, climate adaptation, new funding sources and financial incentives, Fried said Wednesday as she helped open the Florida Energy and Climate …

ars

ARS and U.S. Army Join Forces to Revitalize Soil with Paper

Dan Industry News Release, Soil

(USDA/ARS-Oct. 2, 2019) — The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is helping to arm the U.S. military with a solution to two major environmental problems: the disposal of paper waste and revegetating damaged training grounds. Under federal regulations, U.S. Army classified papers must be pulverized to a fine consistency, which leaves the material unsuitable for recycling. Continued disposal of this waste …

alabama counties

Alabama Extension Offers Drought Resources

Dan Alabama, Drought, Environment, Weather

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 1, 2019) — Conditions in Alabama are hot and dry. Strings of days with record-breaking heat have made September 2019 one of the hottest Septembers on record. The heat and drought are nothing new, though. While only .2 percent of the state is in extreme drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest release, nearly 83 percent …

prescribed burning

Major Changes to Prescribed Burning

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced major changes and enhancements to the state’s prescribed burning program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service. Prescribed burning in Florida is a national model for successfully managing statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled, carefully managed prescribed fire. A scientifically sound practice, prescribed burning is …

energy efficiency

Commissioner Nikki Fried: New Energy Efficiency Conversation Needed

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Energy, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Sept. 26, 2019) — Last week, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) filed a brief required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). Since 1980, FEECA has directed Florida utility companies to develop meaningful energy efficiency and conservation measures. Every five years, most major utilities are required to …

short-term

NRCS Implementing 2018 Farm Bill Programs

Dan Environment, Farm Bill, Legislative, USDA-NRCS

The 2018 Farm Bill was enacted back in December, and since then, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to implement programs that offers strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. NRCS offers financial and technical assistance through conservation practices, activities and enhancements to help producers make and maintain improvements on their land. The Environmental Quality …