(UF-IFAS/GAINESVILLE, Fl/Feb. 28, 2022) — In Florida, pesticide licensing exams help ensure the state’s approximately 70,000 pesticide applicators follow state regulations and best practices for mitigating the impact of chemicals on the environment. Historically, the exam has only been offered in person at pre-scheduled times. The UF/IFAS Pesticide Information Office has announced that applicators will now have the option of …
Impact Farmers Make When It Comes to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The huge impact farmers have been making when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Since 1990, the United States population has increased 31-percent, from roughly 250 million to 329 million in 2019. With more people comes the need for more food. And, more food production could also mean more greenhouse gas …
Center Providing Plant Management Solutions for the Southeast Region
The center providing plant management solutions for the Southeast region. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center is one of a national network of 25 centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions, and developing and transferring plant science technology to solve conservation issues. Located in Americus, Georgia, it’s one of four centers serving the Southeast …
Plant Materials Center Provides Diverse Climate Plant Solutions
The center providing plant solutions in a diverse climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Lockeford Plant Materials Center is a 106-acre facility located in the Central Valley of California. It’s about an hour southeast of the state’s capitol, Sacramento, and is the only plant materials in the state. The center provides plant solutions for the diverse …
Environmental Changes Teed Up for Florida Budget Talks
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 22, 2022) — A controversial environmental bill the Senate massaged last week after outcries from Everglades activists, fishing guides and Gov. Ron DeSantis is ready to become part of budget talks with the House. With little comment, the House on Tuesday, took up the bill (SB 2508) and nine other Senate measures and positioned them for negotiations that will …
Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities Available in Alabama
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners about several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option and a Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative. But, applications for this round of funding will only be accepted through Friday, February 25th, 2022. …
Urban Agriculture Conservation Program Sign up Underway in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently announced an urban agriculture focused sign up through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This targeted sign up is for farmers in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry counties, who are interested in producing local, healthy, sustainable food for their communities. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. …
Sea-Level May Rise One Foot by 2050 along U.S. Coasts
The United States is expected to experience as much sea-level rise by the year 2050 as it witnessed in the previous hundred years. That’s according to a NOAA-led report updating sea level increases for the U.S. The Sea Level Rise Technical Report provides the most up-to-date projections for all U.S. states and territories by decade for the next 100 years …
Nationwide Program Helping Restore and Sustain Healthy Natural Ecosystems
The nationwide program helping restore and sustain healthy natural ecosystems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Resources Conservation Service – or NRCS – operates 25 Plant Materials Centers, each based in ecologically distinct areas. The purpose of the Plant Materials Center is to assemble, evaluate, and release new plant materials for conservation use. As well as …
Agricultural Associations Seek to Block Chlorpyrifos Ban
Several agricultural associations filed suit in federal court Feb. 10 seeking to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from prohibiting the use of the pesticide chlorpyrifos on food crops beginning Feb. 28. The Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association is among those seeking the action. According to the American Soybean Association, which is one of those suing, the agricultural associations …