USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will conduct a State Technical Committee meeting on March 3 by web conference. Chair of the event, Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez, says the meeting will have two distinctive portions. The committee is composed of individuals and groups from a variety of agricultural and natural resource interests, as well as farmers. And while the …
Describing the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The program enables ag producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. Jimmy Bramblett, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), explains the intent of, and components within ACEP. NRCS accepts ACEP applications year-round, but applications are ranked and funded during enrollment periods …
USDA Extends General Conservation Reserve Program Signup
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they are extending the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup period. The previous deadline was Feb. 12, 2021. Acting Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Steve Peterson told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman, USDA will continue to accept offers as it takes this opportunity for the incoming Administration to evaluate ways to increase enrollment. The CRP program provides annual rental …
USDA Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection
Thursday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The program enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. NRCS received more than 570 comments on the ACEP interim rule, which …
Updates to Conservation Easements Strengthens Protection for Farmlands, Grasslands, and Wetlands
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which enables agricultural producers and private landowners to protect farmlands, grasslands, and wetlands with conservation easements. The rule updates ACEP as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and incorporates public comments made on an interim rule. “Conservation easements are a critical conservation tool helping landowners …
DeSantis, Cabinet Back North Florida Land Deals
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved proposals to spend about $5.3 million to conserve more than 2,500 acres of land in Santa Rosa and Jefferson counties. The deals include paying $4.3 million to conserve 1,786 acres in Santa Rosa County that is used for hunting and to grow timber. The land, owned by Kingfisher Timber, …
Alabama Beekeeping Symposium Coming this Weekend
The 26th Annual Beekeeping Symposium will be held on Feb. 6 and 7 through Zoom. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System is proud to host the symposium to provide timely information for Alabama’s beekeeping public. Because of the ongoing pandemic, this year’s event was forced to restructure, and therefore for the first time, it will be a digital event. The cost to …
APHIS Posts New Release in Feral Swine Video Series
The newest video in the ongoing series, Feral Swine in America: Episode 3- Texas looks at the impacts feral swine have on cattle, sheep, and goat ranchers in Texas. APHIS is offering this video series, which chronicles the impact feral swine have on Americans’ livelihoods through damage to agricultural and natural resources, to increase public awareness. The National Feral Swine Damage Management Program was established …
DeSantis, Cabinet to Take Up Land Deals
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week will consider paying $4.3 million to conserve 1,786 acres in Santa Rosa County and $1 million for about 729 acres in Jefferson County. Both projects are on acquisition lists for the Florida Forever program. The Santa Rosa County land, owned by Kingfisher Timber, LLC, is used for hunting and …
Agriculture groups Ready to Work with Biden Administration
AFBF Congratulates President Biden on Inauguration (AFBF) — American Farm Bureau (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented on the inauguration of President Joe Biden, who was sworn-in as the 46th President of the United States. “The American Farm Bureau Federation congratulates President Joe Biden as he begins his term as 46th president of the United States. We also congratulate Vice President Kamala Harris …