The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants landowners to know that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work across the country amid an ongoing pandemic and numerous natural disasters. During that time, they helped agricultural producers and forest landowners, including urban and underserved producers, implement conservation practices on their working lands. These efforts by NRCS helped conserve natural resources …
Simpson Continues Pushing Florida Lawmakers for Land Money
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb. 7, 2023) — After Gov. Ron DeSantis left the money out of his proposed budget, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson continues to push state lawmakers to replenish funding for a program aimed at keeping ranches and farms from future development. Simpson, speaking Monday to the Senate Agriculture Committee, stressed the need to push forward with the Rural and Family …
Conservation Easements Protect Your Ag Land
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is urging agricultural landowners across the Southeast to consider safeguarding your ag land with a conservation easement. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. The ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring …
Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
Land Deals Could Aid Wildlife Corridor
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 17, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $17.8 million in land-conservation deals that include protecting two properties that are part of an envisioned wildlife corridor stretching from the Keys to the Panhandle. With support growing for the corridor, which is expected to cost billions of dollars and take decades to complete, DeSantis …
Florida NRCS State Technical Committee Meeting is January 18
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will host a State Technical Committee meeting on January 18, from 9:00am to 12:00pm (EST). The event will provide a report for natural resource and program priorities and USDA decisions and to seek recommendations from Florida agricultural leaders. Chaired by NRCS Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, the committee is composed of individuals and …
Conservation Funding Opportunities Available Through EQIP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has several fiscal year 2023 assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and private landowners for key programs That includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Through EQIP, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to help producers and landowners make conservation improvements on their land that benefit natural resources, build resiliency and contribute to the nation’s broader effort to combat …
DeSantis, Cabinet Eye Land Conservation Deals
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 11,2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week will consider a series of proposed land deals that include preserving more than 12,000 acres in Northwest Florida and keeping three ranches from future development. During a meeting Tuesday, DeSantis and the Cabinet will decide whether to spend $18.09 million to buy 12,439 acres in Liberty County. …
DeSantis Outlines Second-Term Environmental Plans
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 10, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans Tuesday to spend $3.5 billion in his second term on environmental projects such as restoring the Everglades and addressing water-quality problems. “This may be a bigger, more comprehensive executive order than we did four years ago. But I think that’s the right thing to do,” DeSantis, who was re-elected in …
Protect Your Ag Land with a Conservation Easement
If you are an agricultural landowner interested in protecting the integrity of your property, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) urges you to consider safeguarding your ag land with a conservation easement. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. The ACEP …