The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work despite the pandemic and numerous natural disasters. During the past couple of years, they’ve helped agricultural producers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands. These efforts by NRCS helped conserve natural resources such as soil, water and wildlife while delivering climate solutions and boosting producers’ bottom lines. Through …
EPA Proposes Changes to Agricultural Worker Protection Standard
There could soon be changes to certain agricultural pesticide use rules, as the Biden administration seeks to change some adjustments made in 2020. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule that would change the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ) requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS). In 2015, EPA made significant changes to the …
IRA Funding for Climate-Smart Agriculture
Investing in climate-smart agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for agricultural producers and forest landowners to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. The Inflation Reduction Act provided an additional $19.5 billion over five years for climate-smart agriculture through several USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs. NRCS is …
Around the State with Commissioner Pate
In our weekly “Around the State with Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate”, during the recent Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, an Alabama farm received a stewardship award. Can you tell us about it Commissioner? Learn more about it on the Environmental Stewardship Award Program website. And that’s our weekly Around the State with Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) Commissioner, Rick Pate.
NRCS Advanced Climate-Smart Agriculture, Broadened Reach of Conservation in Past Two Years
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants landowners to know that the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work across the country amid an ongoing pandemic and numerous natural disasters. During that time, they helped agricultural producers and forest landowners, including urban and underserved producers, implement conservation practices on their working lands. These efforts by NRCS helped conserve natural resources …
Simpson Continues Pushing Florida Lawmakers for Land Money
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb. 7, 2023) — After Gov. Ron DeSantis left the money out of his proposed budget, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson continues to push state lawmakers to replenish funding for a program aimed at keeping ranches and farms from future development. Simpson, speaking Monday to the Senate Agriculture Committee, stressed the need to push forward with the Rural and Family …
Conservation Easements Protect Your Ag Land
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is urging agricultural landowners across the Southeast to consider safeguarding your ag land with a conservation easement. The Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) protects the agricultural viability and related conservation values of eligible land by limiting nonagricultural uses which negatively affect agricultural uses and conservation values. The ACEP protects grazing uses and related conservation values by restoring …
Research into Bee Health May Lower Winter Colony Losses
New research may help lower winter bee losses. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agricultural Research Service scientists and their Chinese colleagues have identified a specific metabolic pathway that controls how honey bees apportion their body’s resources such as energy and immune response in reaction to stresses such as winter’s cold temperatures, according to recently published research. Entomologist and …
Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
Land Deals Could Aid Wildlife Corridor
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 17, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $17.8 million in land-conservation deals that include protecting two properties that are part of an envisioned wildlife corridor stretching from the Keys to the Panhandle. With support growing for the corridor, which is expected to cost billions of dollars and take decades to complete, DeSantis …