The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they’ve accepted 2.8 million acres in offers from agricultural producers and private landowners for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) this year. That brings the total accepted this year to almost 1.9 million acres through the General CRP Signup. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says they have also accepted over …
Disappointed with EPA Chlorpyrifos Rule Announcement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week it is revoking all “tolerances” for chlorpyrifos, which establish an amount of a pesticide that is allowed on food. The agency will issue a Notice of Intent to Cancel under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act to cancel registered food uses of chlorpyrifos. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is disappointed …
EPA Takes Action to Address Risk from Chlorpyrifos and Protect Children’s Health
EPA measures will stop the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food (WASHINGTON/August 18, 2021) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will stop the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on all food to better protect human health, particularly that of children and farmworkers. In a final rule released today, EPA is revoking all “tolerances” for chlorpyrifos, which establish …
Groups Asking Stores to Pull Roundup from Shelves
A coalition of consumer, health and environmental groups are calling on Lowe’s and Home Depot to remove Roundup from their store shelves. The groups claim consumers can’t wait, urging the stores to remove the products now. Bayer last month announced long-term risk mitigation actions to prevent further litigation regarding Roundup. The plan calls for replacing its glyphosate-based products in the …
2022 Farmers’ Almanac Released This Week
The 2022 Farmers’ Almanac hits store shelves this week and contains 184 pages of helpful tips, calendars, and guides to help you plan your year ahead. It also features weather forecasts for the next 16 months, plus useful advice on ways to take cues from nature to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Editor Pete Geiger states, “we encourage readers to …
Agriculture Pleased with Senate Passage of Infrastructure Package
Many in agriculture announced their pleasure with the U.S. Senate passed this morning of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The bill includes investments of importance to many areas agriculture. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (WASHINGTON, August 10, 2021) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement following Senate passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs …
Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1,2021 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners can receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other …
Everglades Restoration Update
(NSF) — A project to remove a section of the Old Tamiami Trail roadbed in a Miami-Dade County section of the Everglades has been finished months ahead of schedule. The completion of the project, which was announced Tuesday morning, will allow more fresh water to freely flow south through the Everglades. The road, which was built nearly 100 years ago, …
Developing a Conservation Plan
Developing a conservation plan through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help landowners identify objectives and analyze the natural resource issues on that land. These are related to soil, water, animals, plants, air, energy and human interaction. NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs, Jimmy Bramblett, says everyone can take advantage of the benefits of conservation. Bramblett notes how water is …
Drones, Money Pitched to Bolster Red Tide Efforts
(NSF, August, 4, 2021/TALLAHASSEE) — Drones could be used to monitor red tide, and money should be set aside to offset local costs of removing fish killed by toxic algae blooms, state wildlife officials said Wednesday as they look to manage future outbreaks. Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said more-proactive measures are needed because red tide …