The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still seeking public comments on proposed revisions to 49 national conservation practice standards through a posting in the Federal Register. But, the comment period closes April 23, 2020. The 49 updated national conservation practice standards include: 12 agronomic practices for water quality and erosion control Two aquaculture practices Three forestry practices …
New Analysis Shows U.S. Agriculture Reducing Per-Unit GHG Emissions
(FSF) — New analysis of updated data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, combined with U.S. Department of Agriculture data, shows U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to reduce per-unit greenhouse gas emissions. All told, the U.S. agricultural sector accounts for less than 10% of total U.S. emissions. That’s less than the emissions from the transportation, electricity generation and industrial sectors. …
NACD Requests Additional Support for Conservation Districts in Next Stimulus
(NACD) — The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) sent a letter to Congress requesting additional funding and legislative support for the nation’s nearly 3,000 conservation districts in the next stimulus bills. “Conservation districts are the backbone of delivering conservation in America,” NACD President Tim Palmer said. “Unfortunately, as with many small businesses, many conservation districts are currently struggling to continue supporting …
Drought Developing in Parts of the Southeast
There is growing concern among many landowners across the Southeast, especially in parts of Florida, with a potential drought expanding. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey explains. Rippey shares how increasing drought development is impacting both municipalities and agriculture in Florida. But Rippey says Florida is not the only part of the Deep South experiencing drought development in recent days. Sponsored ContentCIR …
More Than 3.4 Million Acres Selected for General CRP Signup
(USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup recently completed, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. Through CRP, farmers and ranchers receive an annual rental payment for establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees, to control soil erosion, improve water …
Cover Crops Helped Alabama Growers During Rainy Winter
By Clint Thompson Alabama farmers who utilized cover crops this winter protected their soil during times of excessive rainfall, according to Audrey Gamble, an assistant professor and Extension specialist at Auburn University. “I think it’s very obvious to see that we’ve had record rainfalls across the state, and that in fields where we had cover crops, it helped with preventing …
COVID-19 Response: UF/IFAS Extension Statewide Uses Multiple Methods to Meet Floridians’ Needs
(UF/IFAS) — From Homestead to Pensacola, UF/IFAS Extension agents and staff are using all tools necessary – including many virtual activities — to help businesses, neighbors and governments navigate the challenges presented by COVID-19. Here are some examples from UF/IFAS Extension county offices and Florida 4-H of our faculty assisting their communities around the state: Pinellas JP Gellerman, director of …
NCBA: Beef Business amid the COVID-19 Outbreak
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) held a media conference call Wednesday to discuss the current state of the beef business amid the COVID-19 outbreak. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, provided an update on what NCBA is doing within the industry and in Washington, DC to ensure that beef continues to make it to consumers. Sponsored ContentCIR …
Bill Seeks to Add ‘Teeth’ to Environmental Laws
(NSF) — An increase in fines for environmental lawbreakers, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, is heading to his desk. The House voted 115-0 on Thursday to give final approval to a proposal (HB 1091) that would make numerous changes in the amounts and duration of penalties for violating Florida environmental laws. The Senate also unanimously backed the bill earlier …
Florida Forever to Get $100 Million
(NSF) — Florida Forever, the state’s signature land-preservation program, will get a sizable, one-time boost in funding as lawmakers inched closer Sunday to patching together an estimated $92 billion budget for next fiscal year. House and Senate negotiators also agreed to keep alive an economic development fund backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis but cut spending on the program. The $100 …