Climate-Smart Easements

USDA-NRCS Investing in Climate-Smart Easements

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced an investment of about $138 million in Climate-Smart Easements through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The funding, from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is the largest climate investment in history. The selected ACEP projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. Carrie Lindig, NRCS Easement Program Division Director, explains how the Southeast can be an …

agricultural lands

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Celebrates Preservation of Over 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Lands

Dan Conservation, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 18, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson proudly announced the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has now preserved over 100,000 acres of vital agricultural lands in Florida from development with the formal completion of rural land easements on Adams Ranch and Buck Island Ranch, previously approved by the Governor and Cabinet. “Reaching the milestone of preserving …

climate-smart

Agricultural Producers to Conserve Land through Climate-Smart Easements

Dan Ag "Outdoors", Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Climate Change, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest about $138 million of financial assistance from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history. This will be through 138 new climate-smart conservation easements, where farmers and ranchers are conserving wetlands, grasslands and prime farmlands. These selected Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture …

lime

Lime Applications Essential for Georgia Cotton Growers

Dan Cotton, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), Soil, Soil, soil fertility

Georgia cotton growers are on the cusp of another planting season. The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team remind producers about the importance of applying lime this time of year. Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist, discussed its significance. “I’ve seen a few lime piles around, so that’s something that definitely needs to be done …

dollar

Farms Received Nearly a Quarter of Each Food-at-home Dollar in 2022

Dan Economy, USDA-ERS

In 2022, farm establishments received 24.1 cents for each dollar spent on food at home and 3.6 cents for each dollar spent on food away from home. These amounts, called farm shares, highlight the different paths that food takes from farms to consumers’ points of purchase, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. Food-at-home dollars include food purchases from outlets such …

nacd

NACD Calls to Increase Funding for Conservation Priorities

Dan Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forestry, National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

This past Saturday, President Biden signed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation into law that provides funding for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. And while the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) appreciates that the enactment of final federal spending legislation prevents a government shutdown and …

Georgia Peanut Commission Holding Referendum March 8-April 8

Clint Thompson Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC)

TIFTON, Ga. – The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) will be holding a referendum from March 8 through April 8, providing peanut producers an opportunity to vote on reaffirming the commission. State law mandates a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. The …

disease

Disease Mortality Gap Growing Between Rural and Urban Areas

Dan This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

The difference between rural and urban is growing when it comes to disease mortality. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, disease-related mortality rates have widened between rural and urban areas, especially for the prime working-age population, aged 25–54. Researchers with USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) compared natural-cause mortality in rural and urban areas …