Targeted Environmental Quality Incentives Program Signup to Open in 10 States (WASHINGTON, June 24, 2021) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing $10 million to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 targeted states. This assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will help agricultural producers plan and implement voluntary conservation practices that …
Four Nutrients in Flower Pollens Improve Honey Bee Gut Health
For the first time, four nutritional compounds found in different flowers have been directly proven to enhance gut health of honey bees, boosting their immune system and increasing lifespan, based on a study by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service scientists. “We found that feeding caffeine, kaempferol, p-coumaric acid or gallic acid—all nutritional compounds found in the nectar and …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces 2021 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Winners
(Tallahassee, Fla./June 23, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced winners for the 2021 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Award recipients come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources while producing commodities that keep our food supply and economy strong. “Two-thirds of Florida’s land is connected to agriculture– …
Assistance Helps Florida Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1, 2021 for financial and technical assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year and this is for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, ag landowners may receive financial and technical …
Florida DEP Provides Update to Cattlemen
One of the speakers during last week’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention held at Marco Island was Adam Blalock, deputy secretary of ecosystems restoration for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Blalock gave producers an update on BMP’s, and also provided information about funding that was earmarked during the recent Florida Legislative Session for environmental programs. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked …
Agriculture Sec. Vilsack Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Pollinator Week
(WASHINGTON, June 21, 2021) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proclamation to recognize the designation of the week of June 21 – 27, 2021 as National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as birds, bats, bees, and other insects, play an important role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. Honey …
EPA’s Intention to Revise WOTUS Disappoints Farm Bureau
It’s ‘Groundhog Day’ all over again for the controversial Obama-era Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, as Biden’s EPA Chief Michael Regan moves to dump the Trump rule that eased the sweeping Obama wetlands restrictions. He recently told the Senate Environment Committee the Obama WOTUS rule and the Trump replacement both need fixing. But American Farm Bureau’s Don Parrish fears …
EPA Announces Intent to Revise WOTUS Definition
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week their plans to repeal and rewrite the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). They are looking to repeal the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which replaced the Obama-era WOTUS rule. A review of the rule, requested by President Joe Biden, claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies. …
Court Blocks Controversial Pesticide
(TALLAHASSEE/June 9, 2021) — In a victory for environmental and farmworker groups, an appeals court has overturned federal approval of a controversial pesticide that supporters say could help fight a disease that has caused heavy damage in Florida’s citrus industry. The decision this week by a panel of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia came …
Plant Things That Keep Bees Coming Back for More
How to plant things that will keep bees coming back for more. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bees are one of our most valuable pollinators, responsible for pollinating 80 percent of the world’s plants! That means 1 out of every 4 bites of food we eat is due to the hard work of bees. Its up to us …