From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In honor of National Arbor Day today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Florida Forest Service are recognizing Florida’s forest owners for their commitment to the protection of Florida’s forests and wildlife. Through a new voluntary program,
USDA Announces Partnerships with Farmers and Ranchers to Address Climate Change
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: EAST LANSING, Mich., April 23, 2015 — In a speech today at Michigan State University, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack laid out a comprehensive approach to partner with agricultural producers to address the threat of climate change. Building on the creation of USDA’s Climate Hubs last year, the new initiatives will utilize voluntary, incentive-based conservation, …
Senate Finance Committee Votes to Hold South Africa Accountable for Blocking US Chicken
From the National Chicken Council: WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 22, 2015 – The United States Senate Committee on Finance approved unanimously by voice vote language that would put pressure on South Africa to remove unfair limits on American chicken imports. The bipartisan amendment, sponsored by Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) and cosponsored by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.), …
NCGA to Congress: Pass Trade Promotion Authority Now
From the National Corn Growers Association: WASHINGTON (April 22, 2015) – The National Corn Growers Association applauded members of the Senate Finance Committee who voted to advance the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) out of committee and urged Congress to quickly pass the bill. “On behalf of America’s corn farmers, our customers, and the one …
Scott, Putnam Warn of Farm Impacts From Lifting Embargo
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Gov. Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Wednesday that President Barack Obama’s plans to lift part of a longstanding embargo against Cuba will negatively impact Florida’s agriculture industry. “Florida agriculture has over a $100 billion impact on our state, and President Obama should be doing everything he can to
Georgia Peanut Commission Attends Georgia School Nutrition Meeting
From the Georgia Peanut Commission: TIFTON, Ga. (April 22, 2015) The Georgia Peanut Commission attended the Georgia School Nutrition Association annual conference held April 9-11 in Athens, Georgia. During the GSNA meeting, school nutrition personnel from across the state of Georgia attended educational seminars, visited with food industry representatives and received recognition for outstanding performance at their respective schools. One …
Soil Makes the World Go Around – Earth Day 2015
By Melissa Blair, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Zone 3 Public Affairs Specialist: Soil is such an important and integral part of our daily lives that most folks don’t even think about it. Often referred to as “dirt,” which is just displaced soil. Soil is critical for all forms of life. Soil is the basis of all ecosystems from the …
Southwest Florida is One of Four Areas Selected to Showcase Climate Resilience Approach
From the Environmental Protection Agency: WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of the Interior (DOI), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today recognized four collaborative landscape partnerships across the country where Federal agencies will focus efforts with partners to conserve and restore important lands and waters and make them more resilient to a changing climate. …
Southeast AgNet This Week: More on Avian Influenza
Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week includes updates on how the avian influenza outbreaks are being handled. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.
Commissioner Putnam Reads to Fourth Grade Students in Celebration of Ag Literacy Day at the Capitol
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam celebrated Florida Agriculture Literacy Day on Tuesday by reading a new book on Florida farming to fourth graders from Governor’s Charter School in the historic Senate Chambers of the Old Capitol in Tallahassee. “Florida Ag Literacy Day helps our next generation