Widespread drought continues in Alabama, as nearly 84 percent of the state is in severe drought. In fact, 55 percent of the state’s soil and subsoil moisture is reported to be “very short.” Even with these conditions, producers are still hard at work bringing in this year’s crop. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), 96 percent of the …
South Carolina Drought Affecting Crop Yields
By Karla Arboleda Coupled with high temperatures, the recent drought in South Carolina is affecting crop yields in peanuts and cotton. The combination of hot and dry weather will result in lower crop yields, according to Charles Davis, a county Extension agent at Clemson University. Peanut and cotton harvests are underway. Davis explained how yield results also depend on the …
Two Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Oct. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated two Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Chilton and Shelby counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows …
Legislature Fights Rehearing in Conservation Case
(NSF-Oct. 7, 2019) — Attorneys for the Florida House and Senate urged an appeals court Monday to reject a request for a rehearing in a battle about conservation funding. The request came after environmental groups last month asked the 1st District Court of Appeal to reconsider a decision that backed the Legislature’s handling of money that flows from a 2014 …
Algae Panel Puts Together ‘Roadmap’ for Lawmakers
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 7, 2019) — A document discussed Monday by the state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force should be viewed, members said, as a broad roadmap for lawmakers with the 2020 legislative session less than 100 days away. And task force members, meeting in Gainesville to further edit the document, said they will look in future meetings beyond Lake Okeechobee …
Lease End Could Help Everglades Reservoir Plan
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-Oct. 3, 2019) — The sugar grower Florida Crystals has agreed to the early end of a controversial lease on land south of Lake Okeechobee that is envisioned for a stormwater-treatment area linked to a new reservoir. An extension of the lease last November by the South Florida Water Management District in the Everglades Agricultural Area resulted in …
Scientists Release First Map of Areas Suitable for Spotted Lanternfly Establishment in U.S. and World
WAPATO, WASHINGTON (USDA/ARS-October 3, 2019) — A map identifying the areas suitable for establishment of the spotted lanternfly (SLF) in the United States and other countries has been published in the Journal of Economic Entomology by Agricultural Research Service scientists. Areas in the United States that have been identified as possible spotted lanternfly habitat. The SLF, originally from China, has spread to Korea …
Gov. DeSantis Announces Early Termination of the Florida Crystals Lease on the STA Footprint of Lands Needed for Construction of the EAA Reservoir
Lease Termination is an Important Step in Meeting the Expedited Construction Schedule for the Reservoir Project Tallahassee, FL (Office of FL Gov. Ron DeSantis-Oct. 3, 2019)— Governor Ron DeSantis, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the early termination of the Florida Crystals Lease for the stormwater treatment area (STA) component …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Unveils Major Energy & Climate Legislative Package
Tampa, FL (FDACS-Oct. 3, 2019) — Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried unveiled an ambitious legislative package of bills to address energy efficiency, climate change, resiliency, and clean energy research. Speaking at a press conference in Tampa alongside U.S. Representative Kathy Castor, U.S. Representative Charlie Crist, and State Representative Margaret Good, Fried highlighted the urgency with which Florida and the nation must address energy and climate issues. The …
RCPP Partner Portal is Now Open and Accepting Applications
We told you last week that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had announced the launch of the updated Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Potential partners are encouraged to submit proposals that will improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. This week, NRCS put out a reminder that the RCPP Partner Portal is open …