From the Georgia Department of Agriculture: Georgia dairy farmers will have the opportunity to vote starting Tuesday, March 1, to extend the Georgia Milk Marketing Order for an additional three years. The current order was approved by producer vote in 2013, and will expire June 30, 2016. Federal law requires U.S. dairy producers to pay $0.15 cents per hundredweight into …
USDA Focusing on Results of NRCS Programs
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says over the past month they have been focusing efforts on their results project on the tremendous work that’s been done by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in terms of our natural resources and environment. Download Audio
Scott Declares Emergency in Lake Okeechobee Discharges
From: The News Service of Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed an executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency for counties impacted by the ongoing discharge of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The order, which called on the Obama administration to fund repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding the lake, authorizes Florida …
Soil Health Institute Appoints Inaugural Members to Board of Directors
From the Soil Health Institute: RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (Feb. 25, 2016) – The Soil Health Institute marked a milestone today in the organization’s efforts to bring world-class leaders together to help improve soil health. The Institute announced it has appointed 13 members to its first-ever board of directors. “Ensuring we have healthy soils is one of the most important, …
Farm Bureau Donations Benefit Hungry Americans
The farm and ranch families of Farm Bureau raised more than $1.1 million and donated a record of more than 48 million pounds of food to assist hungry Americans as part of Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food donations also reached a record level of the equivalent of more than 49 million meals.
Conaway: Agriculture Secretary Can Relieve Crisis in Cotton Country
From the House Committee on Agriculture By Chairman K. Michael Conaway Cotton farmers in America are facing a crisis. Extreme drought, predatory trade practices by countries like China and India, and the lack of a viable safety net are threatening the livelihoods of thousands of American farm families. While the general farm economy is experiencing the largest three-year percentage decline …
RCPP Funding Two Conservation Projects in Alabama
Nearly $7 million will be invested in Alabama through two conservation projects, thanks to funding provided by Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), which is administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Download Audio
Florida Cover Crops Tour is Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida invites those interested in learning more about how cover crops and no-till can improve soil health in Florida’ sandy soils, to attend the annual Cover Crops Tour. Janet Grabowski, manager of the Brooksville Plant Materials Center, says the annual event will be held March 4. Download Audio
UF/IFAS Extension Agent Inducted Into Prestigious Leadership Program
From: UF/IFAS News University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Agent Euguene “Gene” McAvoy was inducted into the Syngenta Resistance Fighter Leadership Program on Feb. 11 for his extensive work in protecting Florida crops from pesticides. McAvoy’s expertise is in pesticide resistance management and he is being recognized by Syngenta Resistance Fighter Leadership Program, which was formed …
Misinformation Spread by Environmental Critics Regarding Water Quality of the Lake Okeechobee Discharges
From: Judy Sanchez, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs for U.S. Sugar Recently, some environmental critics have attempted to spread misinformation about the source of nutrient pollution in the discharges that are being released from Lake Okeechobee by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I wanted to take this opportunity to provide facts and information to help inform your ongoing …