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 …
EQIP Funding Sign Up for Florida Producers Affected by Irma
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind agricultural producers in the state that a special Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) signup is underway to help producers who suffered damage from Hurricane Irma. This signup, which runs until December 28th, is to receive both financial and technical assistance for conservation practices designed to specifically address natural …
Thermal Wall for Garden Plants
Winter gardening can be difficult. But, Cathy Isom fills you in on how to keep growing your hearty garden vegetables outdoors even in the winter months. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Thermal Wall for Garden Plants As colder temperatures set in and winter makes its bitter cold appearance, who says you can’t grow all of those great …