Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet next week are slated to consider a $5.7 million deal that would help protect more than 2,500 acres of land in Okeechobee County. Under the proposed deal, the state would buy a conservation easement on property known as Corona Ranch. Conservation easements protect land from development, but owners typically can continue to use …
Florida NRCS Providing Help after Hurricanes
If your farm or ranch suffered damage from the recent hurricanes, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind you they can help. State Conservation Engineer Jason Strenth said financial and technical assistance for various projects may be available through their Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP). Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move …
USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, …
Agri View: New Causes Arise of Dead Zones
Everett Griner talks about some new causes coming to light for dead zones in our oceans in today’s Agri View. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the …
Conservation Reserve Program Gets Renewed Attention at Confirmation Hearing
The Conservation Reserve Program got renewed attention at a recent confirmation hearing for nominees for top Department of Agriculture posts. Lawmakers focused on both acreage enrollment and emergency CRP haying and grazing. CRP has always been popular, but low crop prices and continuing droughts and other disasters are spurring renewed interest in the land conservation program. South Dakota Ag Senator …
As Lake Okeechobee Levels Rise, So Do Community Concerns
It’s only been a few weeks since Hurricane Irma battered our farms and farming communities. EAA farmers have been working overtime to make sure our farms and farming communities south of Lake Okeechobee have the resources they need to get back on their feet. We’ve delivered more than 10,000 meals to local residents in need and our farms have donated thousands …
USDA Invests in 48 Projects in Local Watersheds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to invest in 48 new, multi-year projects that aim to build vital infrastructure while conserving natural resources in 20 states or territories through the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with local groups to help prevent floods, protect watersheds, improve agricultural water management and enhance wildlife habitat through …
USDA Issues Farm Safety Net and Conservation Payments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that over $9.6 billion in payments will be made, beginning this week, to producers through the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Conservation Reserve (CRP) programs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing approximately $8 billion in payments under the ARC and PLC programs for the 2016 crop year, and …
Senator Seeks $100 Million for Florida Forever
At least $100 million a year would be set aside for Florida Forever, the state’s most prominent land-preservation fund, under a measure filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island. Bradley’s proposal (SB 370) would annually designate a portion of the state’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund for the Florida Forever program, which in the past received as much as $300 million …
Methods for Building Fertile Soil
Cathy Isom tells us some of the best ways to build fertile soil for your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Your garden cannot thrive unless you have healthy, nutrient-rich soil for your plantings. There are many ways of building a fertile soil without the use of chemical fertilizers. First, always choose nitrogen-fixing plants …