conservation funding

Florida Cabinet Could Ok Conserving 8100 Acres

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet next week are scheduled to consider land deals that could help conserve more than 8,100 acres in Walton and Putnam counties. The three proposed deals, which involve the state purchasing conservation easements, would cost about $7.6 million. Conservation easements restrict future development while often allowing landowners to continue using property for …

new

New Tool Improves Beekeepers’ Overwintering Odds and Bottom Line

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Pollinators

TUCSON, ARIZONA (ARS – September 18, 2019) — A new tool from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) can predict the odds that honey bee colonies overwintered in cold storage will be large enough to rent for almond pollination in February. Identifying which colonies will not be worth spending dollars to overwinter can improve beekeepers’ bottom line. Beekeepers have been losing …

houseplants

Houseplants That Can Improve Your Health

Dan Environment, Nursery Crops, This Land of Ours

Houseplants are not only a beautiful addition to your home, they serve an important purpose. Cathy Isom lets you know about some plants that can improve your health. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Houseplants aren’t just excellent companions because they brighten rooms. They allow you to experience the outdoors inside the comfort of your home. Beyond that, …

recycling

Biosolids Produce Less Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff than Inorganic Fertilizer

Dan Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Irrigation, Research, Soil, Water

GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-September 17, 2019) — New research from University of Florida scientists found that some nutrients from inorganic fertilizers enter surface water more easily than those from biosolids. Maria Silveira, a professor in the UF/IFAS department of soil and water sciences, led the study that collected runoff from a common pasture grass to determine its nitrogen and phosphorus content. …

family farms

Industry Responds to EPA WOTUS Announcement

Dan Environment, Industry News Release, Irrigation, Water

(Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 12, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking another step to fulfill President Trump’s pledge to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “Repealing the WOTUS rule is a major win for American agriculture. The extreme overreach from the past Administration had government taking …

mexican sunflowers

Growing the Mexican Sunflower Attracts Pollinators

Dan Pollinators, This Land of Ours

Cathy Isom has a few tips, as well as the importance of growing the Mexican Sunflower. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mexican sunflower is an annual flower that has many names. It’s also known as the Bolivian sunflower, tree marigold, golden flower of the Incas, Japanese sunflower, and just Tithonia. Butterflies, bumblebees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators …

court

Court Backs Lawmakers in Conservation Fight

Dan Environment, Industry News Release

TALLAHASSEE (NSF-September 9, 2019) — In a blow to environmental groups, an appeals court Monday overturned a circuit judge’s ruling that said state lawmakers improperly diverted money that flowed from a 2014 constitutional amendment designed to boost land and water conservation. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal found that Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson erred …

energy

POSTPONED: Florida Energy & Climate Summit, September 4-6, 2019

Dan Energy, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release

Tallahassee, FL (FDACS) – As Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida with expected Category 4 force and uncertain projected path, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has postponed the 2019 Florida Energy & Climate Summit, which was to be held September 4-6 at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Due to the storm’s expected impact upon the speakers, …