(FDACS) — Sixth-generation Florida rancher Jim Strickland recently published an opinion piece on the important role Florida’s ranches play in combating climate change and preventing over-development. The op-ed was published in The Invading Sea, a collaboration of 25 Florida daily newspapers and WLRN Public Media reporting on climate change and environmental issues, and a project of the Florida Climate Reporting Network. Strickland is the owner …
FDACS Looking for Environmental Leaders
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The award recognizes agricultural producers who demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing innovative techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2021. The nomination form may be downloaded below, and more information about …
Information on USDA’s Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Strategy Requested
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a Federal Register Notice requesting public input on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. The Notice represents an important step toward implementing President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The Order, signed January 27, states that, “America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners have an important role to …
Scott, Thompson Agree, Disagree on Climate Change
The tone is set on the climate change debate in the House Agriculture Committee, and it took place during the committee’s first hearing last week. Committee Chair David Scott, of Georgia, says changes in weather patterns bring serious risks to production agriculture, forest resources and the overall economy. He says, “These risks cannot be understated.” Scott also says the USDA’s …
Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance Expands Membership
Drills Down on Policy Recommendations (FACA) — The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) announced expanding membership and new policy working groups focused on developing a set of more specific policy proposals that drill down on the 40+ recommendations released by FACA in November 2020. FACA’s eight founding members — American Farm Bureau Federation (co-chair), Environmental Defense Fund (co-chair), FMI …
DeSantis Plan Would Address Climate Impacts
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to spend $25 million next year and more in the coming years to set up a program that would help address coastal flooding and other climate-change impacts across the state. Money for the proposed Resilient Florida grant program would be in addition to $625 million that DeSantis is seeking from lawmakers to continue Everglades …
Climate Change Issues Discussed in Senate
(NSF) — An effort is back in the Senate to permanently set up a statewide office to consider climate change impacts, as environmentalists wait for a new chief resiliency officer to be appointed. Sen. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, filed a proposal Friday to establish an Office of Resiliency, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Office of Resiliency would be part …
GOP Leaders Look at Climate Change Plans
(NSF) — Planning work to address flooding from rising sea levels, similar to how the state maps out road and bridge projects for five years, is being considered by the new Republican leaders of the Florida House and Senate. House Speaker Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, expressed a desire Tuesday to establish work programs that …
Alliance Unveils Unprecedented Climate Policy Recommendations
Agriculture and environmental groups find ways that farmers, ranchers, forest owners and food sector can deliver and benefit from climate solutions (AFBF) — An alliance of groups representing farmers, forest owners, the food sector, state governments and environmental advocates today unveiled an unprecedented set of recommendations to guide the development of federal climate policy. The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) …
Conservation Assistance Helps Florida Farmers, Ranchers in 11 Counties
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is accepting applications from agricultural producers until June 15 for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project that improves climate resiliency. NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible farmers and landowners toward conservation practices that improve natural resources in 11 Florida counties through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Producers …