(GAC) — On Tuesday, October 27, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler joined members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation, Ag Commissioner Gary Black, and dozens of farmers and agriculture organizations on the farm of Lee Cromley in Bulloch County to announce the agency will approve three dicamba formulations for over-the-top use for cotton and soybeans. Members of the Georgia Agribusiness Council …
Wheeler Calls on DOJ to Investigate Environmental Organizations Funding
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler wants the Department of Justice to investigate funding for environmental groups. In a letter to the Justice Department, Wheeler cited concerns the groups were receiving secret funding from foreign countries, specifically China and Russia. The action follows a previous letter by Representative Lance Gooden, a Texas Republican. Gooden requested the investigation earlier this month. …
New Rule Makes Enhancements to Environmental Quality Incentives Program
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The rule updates USDA’s flagship program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and integrates feedback from agricultural producers and others. “This final rule enables us to continue helping producers manage their land in the most beneficial ways possible,” said Kevin Norton, acting Chief of USDA’s …
Planting the Best Nectar Plants for Pollinators
The best nectar plants for pollinators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Create a pollinator-friendly garden by choosing at least three must-have plants and aiming for blooms throughout as many seasons as possible. Single-petal flowers are easiest for bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to reach; double-petal varieties are showier but offer less nectar and accessible pollen. Torch Lily …
Florida Preps for Algae Blooms from Lake Releases
(NSF) — Measures are in place to offset potential blue-green algae blooms after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started Wednesday to schedule water releases from lower Lake Okeechobee, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. A news release late Wednesday said the department and the South Florida Water Management District are prepared to use “innovative technology” if needed …
USDA Releases Final CSP Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the final rule for its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The rule makes updates to the popular conservation program as directed by the 2018 Farm Bill and integrates feedback from agricultural producers and others. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements, and increased resilience to adverse weather. CSP is for working lands, including …
Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Application deadline for financial assistance is Nov. 20 (USDA/NRCS Florida) — Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Nov. 20 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2021 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year. Through EQIP, …
Florida Closes on ‘Once in a Generation’ Land Deal
Wednesday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced closing on a long-sought 17,088-acre tract in Franklin and Wakulla counties that includes a restrictive easement for the U.S. Air Force. According to the News Service of Florida, the $43 million deal with Ochlockonee Timberlands, a subsidiary of AgReserves, Inc., for the property was approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet …
Keeping Your Kitchen Waste Out of the Landfill
Some things you can do with kitchen waste to keep it out of the landfill. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Luckily, kitchen waste falls into many categories that are conducive to productive, useful waste cycling. There are lots of compostable items, such as paper bags, cardboard boxes, and food scraps. Also, there are tons of recyclable and …
Agriculture Helping to Reduce Carbon
As the election year debate rages over reducing carbon and other pollution, agriculture’s advocates say the sector has already made a huge impact on pollution. Agriculture, under pressure to reduce pollution from animal waste, fertilizer and carbon emissions for decades, has made huge strides, according to agriculture leaders. American Farm Bureau’s Andrew Walmsley says just in the past 20 to …