From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Protecting Florida’s $120 billion agriculture industry requires a multifaceted approach, including the assistance of several four-legged, furry helpers. During the dog days of summer, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is showcasing its lesser-known staff members—rescue dogs trained to detect invasive pests and disease. “Dogs’ unparalleled sense of …
Florida Forest Service Breaks National Prescribed Fire Record
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today announced that the Florida Forest Service treated more than 246,000 acres of state forests with prescribed fire over the last 12 months, the highest number ever reported by a state forestry agency in United States history. The Florida Forest Service, …
Simon Takes Over as Acting State Conservationist in Alabama
While the search is on to find a new Alabama state conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kurt Simon has officially taken over as acting state conservationist. Download Audio
Florida Farmer Works Many Years with NRCS Programs
A Santa Rosa County farmer has worked with many programs over the years through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Download Audio
Forest Service Report: Rising Firefighting Costs Raises Alarms
U.S. Department of Agriculture: WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2015 — For the first time in its 110-year history, the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is spending more than 50 percent of its budget to suppress the nation’s wildfires. A new report released today by the Forest Service estimates that within a decade, the agency will spend more …
UGA Researchers Discover How Parasitic Plants Know When to Attack
From the University of Georgia: Athens, Ga. – An international team of researchers led by scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) has discovered how parasitic plants, which steal their nutrients from another living plant, evolved the ability to detect and attack their hosts. Their findings, published recently in the journal Science, could lead to new techniques to control the …
Southeast AgNet This Week: Bullying Researchers; Peanut Crop Issues
Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week includes a report on University of Florida/IFAS researchers being harassed as well as a few issues being found in Southeastern peanut fields. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.
University of Florida/IFAS to Hold Peanut Field Day
The 2015 University of Florida/IFAS Peanut Field Day will be held August 20 at the North Florida Research and Education Center near Marianna, Florida. To learn more about this year’s event, click here.
Florida Forest Service Sends Crew to Battle Wildfires in California
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today that the Florida Forest Service is sending a crew of 20 wildland firefighters to assist wildfire suppression efforts in northern California. Wildland firefighters are currently battling more than a dozen large wildfires in northern California, including the
USDA Video: USDA Week In Review July 31
A weekly look at some of the events and activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In this edition of USDA Week In Review: Relief for the California drought? And art against food waste. For more information go to: www.usda.gov www.usda.gov/oce/weather/ www.usda.gov/oce www.rd.usda.gov blogs.usda.gov www.flickr.com/photos/usdagov