The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing renewed pressure to deny applications re-registering the controversial weed killer Dicamba from three of the biggest crop protection companies. Three Senate Democrats are urging the EPA to deny applications to re-register the herbicide, saying the weed killer cannot be used without causing unreasonable adverse effects. The herbicide, which was pulled from the market …
Seeing Opportunities in Manure Management
There are various opportunities with manure management. Rusty Halvorson looks at what some of those are. Environmental groups, including Food and Water Watch, have sued the EPA, arguing that it has failed to regulate manure runoff from large animal farms under the Clean Water Act, which they say threatens water safety across the U.S. Lori Stevermer is the president of …
Three Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack has designated three Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. Nine additional counties were listed as contiguous disaster counties. The three primary Alabama counties included in the disaster designation are Dallas, Perry and Wilcox. The nine contiguous counties are Autauga, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Clark, Hale, …
Public Input Needed on How to Improve Conservation Practice Standards
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently seeking public input on how to improve conservation practice standards. NRCS is looking to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. Conservation practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing conservation programs. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership …
American Agriculture History Minute: Learning Soil Preservation by Crop Rotation
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers, unfortunately, tended to be careless with the use and care of their soil. This was the case across the country, as Americans were used to thinking that there would always be more land for new farms. And by the 1880s, they saw this would not be the case much …
USDA Invests in Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
Last month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and this includes projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the …
FDACS Highlights Agricultural Lands to be Preserved With Recently Announced Partner Funding
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 20, 2024) — Following the Florida Conservation Group’s recent announcement of $47 million in state and federal funding to preserve active agriculture operations in the Peace River Valley region, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting four proposed agricultural conservation projects that will receive funding. These agricultural operations in Southwest Florida will be permanently preserved from future development, as …
Ducks Unlimited, Sorghum Producers to Promote Water Conservation
Ducks Unlimited (DU) and National Sorghum Producers (NSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperatively promote water conversation. This MOU aims to develop and expand a framework of cooperation between DU and NSP uniquely focused on water savings and market innovation. The partnership will support agricultural producers and surrounding rural communities by promoting water-efficient practices, expand critical waterfowl habitat that also …
Signup for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Continues
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners and eligible entities that signup continues for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While those interested can apply at any time, to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, complete and eligible applications must be received by the following National cutoff dates for both Wetland Reserve …
Plant Odors Offer Hope for Sustainable Agriculture
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science (TUS) have uncovered groundbreaking potential in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for sustainable pest control and enhanced crop defense. VOCs are natural chemicals plants release when stressed, such as during pest attacks. These compounds signal nearby plants to activate their defenses, forming a natural communication network. In a review published in Trends in Plant Science, …