With time running out on the 2017 Florida legislative session, the Budget Conference Committee is in negotiations to finalize the final details of the budget. But there are concerns with some in agriculture that the budget does not include funding for conservation easements. And Southeast AgNet Tallahassee Intern, Josie Tomkow, talked with their Vice Chairman, Jim Strickland, who is asking …
Renewal Options Available for Expiring CSP Contracts
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners with existing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts, the renewal sign-up deadline is coming up May 5. NRCS Acting Chief, Leonard Jordan, says participants with existing CSP contracts that expire on December 31 can access the benefits of the recent program changes through an option to renew their contracts for an …
Lobbyist Backs Away From Florida Forever Comments
From: News Service of Florida Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida and a prominent environmental lobbyist, released a statement Tuesday walking back concerns about a House measure that would alter the distribution of money for land conservation. Draper said he was wrong Monday to link a House bill (PCB GAC17-06) that would change the state’s Florida Forever land-conservation program …
House Seeks Florida Forever Changes
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida More money would be set aside for land conservation under a House bill rolled out Monday, with some environmentalists contending the proposal could hinder Senate President Joe Negron’s push to speed construction of a water-cleaning reservoir in the Everglades. House Government Accountability Chairman Matt Caldwell, whose committee unanimously approved the measure (PCB GAC …
Renewable Fuels Standard Heads to Court
The Environmental Protection Agency will be in Washington D.C. Circuit court starting Monday (April 24) as the court hears oral challenges to the 2014-2016 Renewable Fuels Standard Volumes. Politico’s Morning Energy Report says the RFS has supporters and detractors in both major political parties, so this case represents a rare nonpartisan issue for the EPA. The agency will have to …
National Dairy FARM Program Releases Environmental Stewardship Reference Manual to Celebrate Earth Day
The National Dairy FARM Program has released its Environmental Stewardship Continuous Improvement Reference Manual in cooperation with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Released in celebration of Earth Day, the guide provides a comprehensive suite of on-farm management practices to reduce a farm’s environmental footprint and improve its profitability. Specifically, the manual features a detailed explanation of the FARM Environmental …
Walmart Launches Project Gigaton to Reduce Emissions in Company’s Supply Chain
Through release of a sustainability toolkit, Walmart asks suppliers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one gigaton – the equivalent to taking more than 211 million passenger vehicles off of U.S. roads for an entire year During Walmart’s annual Milestone Summit, the company launched a sustainability platform inviting suppliers to join Walmart in committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting …
Alabama State Conservationist on RCPP Proposal Deadline
April 21 is the deadline for conservation partners in Alabama to submit pre-proposals for fiscal year 2018 funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is accepting pre-proposals designed to help improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone says RCPP works …
Florida RCPP Proposal Deadline is Friday
Here is a reminder from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida that this Friday, April 21, is the deadline for conservation partners in Florida to submit pre-proposals for fiscal year 2018 funding through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
EPA Administrator Promises Back-to-Basics Agenda
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt last week promised a back-to-basics agenda approach for the federal agency. While visiting a Pennsylvania coal mine, Pruitt announced the agenda, saying the new focus “means returning EPA to its core mission: protecting the environment by engaging with state, local,and tribal partners to create sensible regulations that enhance economic growth.” In his speech to …