climate benefits

USDA Announces New Initiative to Quantify Climate Benefits of CRP

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-FSA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week an initiative to quantify the climate benefits of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts. The multi-year effort will enable USDA to better target CRP toward climate outcomes and improve existing models and conservation planning tools while supporting USDA’s goal of putting American agriculture and forestry at the center of climate-smart …

florida

Florida Webinar to Explain How to Apply for CIG

Dan Conservation, Education, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida recently announced they will be investing $300,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. The deadline to submit a proposal is July 12. And for those who would like more information on how to apply for a Florida state grant, a webinar will be held Thursday, May …

agriculture

USDA to Invest $15 Million through CIG Program

Dan Conservation, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. CIG partners use creative problem solving and innovation to address our nation’s water quality, air quality, soil health and …

Tractor-spraying-pesticides-on-cherry-orchard.shutterstock_1083807734.jpg

Florida Challenged Over Pesticide Decision

Dan Citrus, Cotton, Environment, Florida, Huanglongbing (HLB)/Citrus Greening, Peanuts

(TALLAHASSEE, Wednesday, May 12, 2021/NSF) — Amid arguments about the troubled citrus industry and the health of farmworkers, a chemical company is challenging a state decision to block a pesticide that could help fight a disease that has caused massive damage in citrus groves. AgLogic Chemical, LLC filed an administrative challenge Tuesday, about three weeks after the state Department of …

money

Growing Matters: Protect Bees, Environment and the Applicators Themselves

Taylor Hillman Growing Matters, Pollinators, Sponsored Content

Companies spend a lot of time developing product labels. “The companies that make the crop protection products work very hard to make them right,” Valent USA’s Senior Field R&D Scientist Craig Campbell said. “I work on labels, they are there as the most important guide for a grower, an applicator or anyone using a pesticide.” In the latest episode of …

producers

New Initiative Promotes Voluntary, Nationwide Conservation

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The Biden-Harris administration announced their vision this week of how the U.S. can work together to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. It’s been titled “America the Beautiful” and the report outlines a locally led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Here’s Agriculture Secretary …

animal disease traceability

Biden-Harris Administration Outlines “America the Beautiful” Initiative

Dan Environment, Forestry, USDA, Water

Initial report details vision for 10-year, locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife WASHINGTON, May 6, 2021 – The Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained in a report …

legislation

NPPC Highlights Efficiency Gains, Reduced GHG Footprint in USDA Climate Comments

Dan Climate Change, Environment, Pork, Weather

In comments submitted last week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) highlighted the efficiency gains made by U.S. pork producers that has brought about significant greenhouse gas reductions and made the sector a global model for environmental sustainability. NPPC wrote, “As it considers federal environmental policies, it is critical that USDA recognize the …

money

Growing Matters: ‘Four Rs’ Protects Bees, Keeps Efficacy and Saves Money

Taylor Hillman Growing Matters, Pollinators, Sponsored Content

Industry leaders recommend the ‘Four Rs’ as a guide for applicators and producers. The guidelines are critical for protecting pollinators, retaining product efficacy and ultimately saving the producer money. In the latest episode of the BeSure! campaign from the Growing Matters Coalition, Syngenta’s Agronomic Service Representative Garrett Gilcrease said the ‘Four R’s’ include the right place, right time, right rate and …