USDA, EPA, and FDA renew formal agreement aimed at reducing food waste (USDA) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the renewal of the joint agency formal agreement (PDF, 724 KB) including the Winning on Reducing Food Waste Initiative. The agreement reaffirms the agencies’ commitment to improve coordination and …
USDA, NASA Sign Agreement to Improve Agricultural, Earth Science Research
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NASA have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening their longstanding partnership on space-based assets benefitting life on Earth. The agreement brings together NASA’s experience with technology development and space-borne Earth science measurements and USDA’s scientific experience and knowledge of agricultural production, resource conservation, food security and safety, and forests and …
Management Advice for Aquatic Weeds
Nearly every Florida citrus grower will sooner or later experience aquatic weed control problems. Aquatic plants are necessary for maintaining the balance of nature and offering food, protection, oxygen and shelter to aquatic species. However, maintaining a balance in the aquatic system while sustaining crop success and avoiding loss of income can be a challenge. Excessive aquatic weed growth can …
Various Peanut Events Postponed or Cancelled
Due to Covid-19, various peanut related events that were scheduled for next year have already been postponed or cancelled. Tyron Spearman runs through the list of those events, some just being announced this week. 2021 Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show Postponed (APPA) — The Alabama – Florida Peanut Trade Show scheduled for Feb. 4, 2021 in Dothan has been postponed until …
Beef Up the Holidays
The Beef Checkoff invites consumers to Beef Up the Holidays if friends and family are visiting in person or virtually. You can make beef the center of your holiday celebration this year. The 2020 holiday season may be different, but you can still enjoy beef on the dinner table. Make your meals something to look forward to with various holiday meal tips …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on Florida Seizing Wetlands Permitting From EPA
(FDACS) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed an agreement granting Florida authority to issue construction permits in protected wetlands, an authority previously handled for many years by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA. In the 43 years since states were allowed to seek wetland permitting authority, only two had requests approved, and none since 1994. Both of …
EPA Approves Florida for Clean Water Act Section 404 Program
Florida made history by becoming the third state to be approved for assumption of the Clean Water Act Section 404 program. Andrew Wheeler, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, confirmed the announcement during a Thursday morning event. “Following a rigorous and timely review process, EPA has approved Florida’s request for assumption of the Clean Water Act Section 404 program. This …
Truterra, Greenpoint Ag, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Cotton Inc. Team Up with Ag Tech
Pilot program to work with growers across an initial 50,000 acres of U.S. cotton to measure, track and verify sustainability, meet growing demand for more sustainable cotton by consumer brands (Cotton Board) – Truterra, LLC, the sustainability business at Land O’Lakes, Inc., one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives, has announced a new collaboration with Cotton Incorporated, a not-for-profit research and …
Heat Brings Out Antioxidants, Increases Red in Tomatoes
(UF/IFAS) — Turn up the heat, and get more nutrition from your tomato, University of Florida researchers say. Furthermore, when you buy a tomato, it will be about as red as it can be, thanks to the UF/IFAS methods deployed for the study. The findings are crucial to an industry in which Florida ranks second to California in tomato production …
GCC Helping Those in Need
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) is helping those in need this holiday season. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia Cotton Commission, said the organization is giving out socks to homeless resource centers across the state. The second annual sock drive started last Thursday. “This is the second year of our sock donation program. Last year we donated 12,000 pairs …