Investing in soil health is an adaptive strategy to improve the sustainability and productivity of soils. Cover cropping is a management practice in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) toolbox used to contribute to soil health on working lands. The NRCS Plant Materials Program, through its network of Plant Materials Centers (PMCs), recently completed a …
EPA Supports States in Addressing PFAS Across the Southeast
ATLANTA (July 29, 2020) — On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the progress it has made in aggressively addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the national level as it implements the PFAS Action Plan — the most comprehensive cross-agency plan ever to address an emerging chemical of concern. Just as important as this progress at the federal …
Dry Weather Could Impact Essential Nutrients in Cotton, Peanuts
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension soils and fertility specialist Glen Harris cautions cotton growers and peanut producers about the impact that the current dry weather can have on essential nutrients in their respective crops. “We have dried out a little. We’re hoping to get some good rains here in late July and going into August,” Harris said. “The two biggest …
Irrigation Vital for Row Crops During Hot, Dry Conditions
Hot and dry conditions over the next few weeks could spell trouble for row crop farmers if they do not apply irrigation in a timely manner. According to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Agricultural Climatologist, current weather conditions could persist for the next month. She even hinted that a short-term flash drought could be possible considering the lack …
Hot, Dry Weather Expected Over Next Month
By Clint Thompson Hot and dry conditions appear to be the norm for the Southeast over the next month according to Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. That is not good news for dryland farmers who depend on rainfall to provide moisture. It is also sobering news for producers since irrigation will once again play a vital role …
USDA Announces More Than 1.2 Million Acres Accepted in Sign-up for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands
WASHINGTON, July 9, 2020 – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) today announced the acceptance of more than 1.2 million acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands during the recent sign-up period that began March 16 and ended May 15. The number of acres offered during this signup period was 1.9 million acres, over …
Farmers, Ranchers, Forest Landowners Protect Pollinator Habitat
By Florida’s USDA NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez and USDA FSA State Executive Director Sherry McCorkle The next time you snack on almonds, add blueberries to your smoothie or eat pumpkin pie, thank a pollinator and the farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners who work hard to create and maintain their habitat. Pollinators, such as honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies, birds, bats, …
Brief Seeking to Invalidate EPA’s Dicamba Existing Stocks Order
A coalition of national grower trade associations are urging the Ninth Circuit to reject an NGO call to invalidate EPA’s dicamba existing stocks order for three dicamba products whose registrations were immediately vacated by the court earlier this month. The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Cotton Council of America, National Association of Wheat …
Southwest Florida Ranchers Receiving Pay to Help Panthers
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind ranchers in Southwest Florida they may be able to get paid for helping the Florida panther. NRCS will provide technical and financial assistance for conservation practices that improve its habitat through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), but the deadline to sign up is June 15. To be eligible for this …
Commissioner Fried Applauds Cabinet Approval of Conservation and Aquaculture Projects
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Cabinet approved a Florida Forever land acquisition project in Franklin County and Wakulla County and an aquaculture lease project in Gulf County. These projects will help support Florida’s aquaculture industry, which has suffered massive sales decreases due to COVID-19, and will provide important conservation protections for natural lands and wildlife in the Panhandle area. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is the state’s lead …