AUBURN UNIVERSITY, AL (ACES-Oct. 1, 2019) — Conditions in Alabama are hot and dry. Strings of days with record-breaking heat have made September 2019 one of the hottest Septembers on record. The heat and drought are nothing new, though. While only .2 percent of the state is in extreme drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest release, nearly 83 percent …
Major Changes to Prescribed Burning
Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced major changes and enhancements to the state’s prescribed burning program, which is authorized by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Florida Forest Service. Prescribed burning in Florida is a national model for successfully managing statewide forests and lands through safe, controlled, carefully managed prescribed fire. A scientifically sound practice, prescribed burning is …
Commissioner Nikki Fried: New Energy Efficiency Conversation Needed
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Sept. 26, 2019) — Last week, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) filed a brief required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). Since 1980, FEECA has directed Florida utility companies to develop meaningful energy efficiency and conservation measures. Every five years, most major utilities are required to …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed …
DeSantis, Cabinet Approve Conservation Land Deals
(NSF-September 24, 2019) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend $7.6 million to conserve more than 8,100 acres in Walton and Putnam counties. The acquisitions include two deals in Walton County that are part of a broader conservation effort known as the Seven Runs Creek Final Phase Florida Forever project and a parcel in Putnam …
NRCS Implementing 2018 Farm Bill Programs
The 2018 Farm Bill was enacted back in December, and since then, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working to implement programs that offers strong support for conservation efforts of America’s farmers and ranchers. NRCS offers financial and technical assistance through conservation practices, activities and enhancements to help producers make and maintain improvements on their land. The Environmental Quality …
Florida Cabinet Could Ok Conserving 8100 Acres
(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 Tool Improves Beekeepers’ Overwintering Odds and Bottom Line
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 That Can Improve Your Health
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, …
Biosolids Produce Less Nitrogen and Phosphorus Runoff than Inorganic Fertilizer
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. …