A proposed constitutional amendment that would redefine legal standing for Floridians when environmental problems occur was put on hold Tuesday as opposition mounts from powerful business groups. With critics arguing the measure is too vague and would create legal gridlock, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, a member of the state Constitution Revision Commission, said she requested more time to work on her proposal …
NRCS Alabama Announces Sign-Up for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist for Alabama, Ben Malone, announced that eligible producers interested in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) components should apply for program funds by January 19, 2018 at their local NRCS service center. Under the Wetlands Reserve Easements component, financial assistance is available for landowners …
Environmentally Friendly Ways to Eliminate Plastic
Cathy Isom tells us about some environmentally friendly ways to stop buying and using plastic. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Environmentally Friendly Ways to Eliminate Plastic Plastic takes up a lot of space on this Earth. It’s the go-to material for manufacturers of so many products we use everyday. Whether we are buying it for storage or still …
Monsanto Offering Incentive for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Herbicide
Monsanto is offering an incentive for U.S. farmers who buy a dicamba-based herbicide. The incentive to use XtendiMax with VaporGrip could refund farmers over half the sticker price of the product in 2018 if they spray the herbicide on soybeans Monsanto engineered to resist the weed killer, according to Reuters. However, further restriction on dicamba-based herbicides are in place for …
Forever Florida, St. Johns Proposals Get Senate Backing
Measures that would double Gov. Rick Scott’s spending request for the Florida Forever conservation program and earmark money to improve the St. Johns River continued to move easily through the Senate on Thursday. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously backed a proposal (SB 370) to designate $100 million a year for Florida Forever. Also, it approved a …
Florida NRCS Providing Assistance to Producers Affected by Irma
If you are an agricultural producer in the state of Florida, and suffered damage on your farm or ranch from Hurricane Irma, then you are encouraged to participate in a special signup. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is conducting a sign up until December 28 to provide both financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives …
EPA Given More Time to Implement Manure Air Emissions Reporting
A federal court is giving the EPA more time to implement a controversial manure air emissions reporting requirement that has the livestock industry crying ‘foul.’ The National Pork Producers Association backed the EPA in the agency’s request to the US Court of Appeals for DC last month for more time to comply with the court’s air emissions reporting order. NPPC’s …
Monsanto Asks Judge to Block Arkansas Dicamba Restrictions
Monsanto went before a judge on Tuesday to officially ask the court to prevent a proposal to ban the use of a weed killer that many farmers say drifts and causes damage to their crops. An Associated Press report says the Arkansas ban on dicamba will go before legislators next month. The company is asking a judge to issue an …
British Geological Survey: Farm Nitrates are Polluting the Earth
A study from across the pond claims farm fertilizers are polluting the rocks beneath our feet, and may lead to severe global consequences. Researchers at the British Geological Survey claim nitrates from fertilizers could have severe global-scale consequences for rivers, water supplies, human health and the economy. As the nitrates settle into the earth, the researchers say it will be …
China Phasing Out More Pesticides in Push for Food Safety
China will begin eliminating the use of 12 pesticides over the next five years as it looks to improve safety of farm produce. The move comes amid an ongoing campaign to improve the environment and tackle soil pollution, according to Reuters. China has already withdrawn 22 of what the nation classifies as highly toxic pesticides from farm use, and it …