Drought challenges were well-documented last year, especially in the Upper Midwest. However, drought isn’t going away now that we’ve turned the calendar to 2018. DTN meteorologist Bryce Anderson says drought is also firing up and getting more intense in southern states. Intense Temps in the days ahead will be in the mid-70s in Oklahoma, with highs approaching 80 in the …
EPA Sends WOTUS Delay Rule to White House
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent a final rule to the White House that would prevent the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) Rule from taking effect. The EPA rushed the rule to the White House because of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling placing the legal jurisdiction of the rule in federal district courts, not federal appeals courts, where …
Deadline Extended for Forestry Initiative in West Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced that the signup deadline for West Alabama Landowners interested in the Forestry Initiative has been extended. Landowners in 11 counties are encouraged to apply for Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs) and practices through the forestry initiative by February 5, 2018. Deadline Extended for Forestry Initiative in West Alabama Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship …
Florida Forever Ready for Senate Approval
A measure to set aside $100 million a year through the Florida Forever land-preservation program moved a step closer Wednesday to Senate approval. According to a story from the News Service of Florida, the Florida Senate positioned the bill (SB 370) for a vote next week. It would use money from a 2014 voter-approved constitutional amendment aimed at increasing land …
Senate Taking Up Florida Forever
The Florida Senate on Wednesday is expected to take up a bill that would set aside $100 million a year for the Florida Forever program. According to a story from the News Service of Florida, that bill was among nine that the Senate Special Order Calendar Group on Monday scheduled to go to the full Senate during a Wednesday floor …
Arkansas Lawmakers OK Dicamba Ban
Arkansas lawmakers approved, without discussion, a partial-ban on a herbicide that drifts on to other crops where it wasn’t applied and causes damage. An Associated Press report says the prohibition faces a court challenge by the maker of the weed killer. The Legislative Council approved the Arkansas Plant Board plan to ban dicamba use from April 15 through October 31. …
Money for Springs, St. Johns River Headed for Senate Vote
A measure to annually float more money into the state’s natural springs and to pump additional dollars into the St. Johns River is headed to the Senate floor for a full vote. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved the proposal (SB 204), sponsored by Chairman Rob Bradley, which would allocate $50 million each year for the restoration of the …
Assistance Available to Florida Agricultural Producers through CSP
Agricultural producers wanting to enhance current conservation efforts are encouraged to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps private landowners build their business while implementing conservation practices that help ensure the sustainability of their entire operation. NRCS plans to enroll up to 10 million acres in CSP in 2018. While applications …
NRCS Helping People Help the Land
For more than 80 years, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been a pioneer in conservation, working with landowners, local and state governments, and other federal agencies to maintain healthy and productive working landscapes. NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan says NRCS continues Helping People Help the Land. NRCS Helping People Help the Land Image: Courtesy of USDA/NRCS-The Soil Conservation Act …
Curbing Food Waste Helps Our Planet
Cathy Isom has a few great tips about how to help out the planet by curbing a global problem. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Curbing Food Waste Helps Our Planet Food waste is second largest component of our waste stream, just behind paper. It encompasses about 18 percent of the material handled by our waste management system every …