The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners the current signup deadline for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is May 10. This signup is for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 farm bill made several changes to this conservation program, which includes high ranking applications are now based on …
Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session
Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …
CSP Signup Deadline Nearing
Landowners are being reminded the signup deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for 2019 funding is May 10. CSP, through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is the largest conservation program in the U.S. with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly …
Conservation Stewardship Program Signup Period Ends May 10
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners the signup deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for 2019 funding is May 10. The 2018 farm bill made several changes to this conservation program; high ranking applications are now based on dollars rather than acres. NRCS Chief Matt Lohr explains. Lohr …
Political Wrangling Over Conservation Program Could Exacerbate Florida Algae Issues
by Gary Cooper In weekend budget talks, lawmakers slash funding for a key land and water conservation program that is vital to restoring Florida’s waterways. Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) is a budget casualty. This program has a 20-year track record of success in preserving green space in perpetuity, while keeping farmland on the tax rolls. Program …
Florida Conservation Easement Signup Ends Next Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners that applications to fund agricultural easements in Florida are being accepted until April 25. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through two programs, the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE). Through ALE, NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners for …
Some Ag Facts Left Out of New SFWMD Discussion
by Gary Cooper The brand new governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is revisiting the mission of the agency that spans 16 counties with a huge network of canals, pumps, levees and structures. Agricultural interests are concerned that this new board will adopt a mission that places the environment ahead of water supply and flood protection. …
USDA Program Helps Florida Recover from Hurricane Irma
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved $99.3 million for 37 projects in 23 counties through the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) to help state and local governments recover from Hurricane Irma. The storm caused widespread damage to buildings, water infrastructure and major erosion when it tore through parts of Florida in September of 2017. Workers have been removing sediment, trees and debris from waterways and stabilizing banks …
Florida Rural Family Lands Program Funding in Trouble
In one of the strangest legislative years for Florida agriculture in decades, funding for many programs and services critical for farmers and ranchers are hitting a wall. Ranchers in particular are concerned about a program that they feel is critical to protect some of the best managed lands in the state from eventually being gobbled up as the state continues …
Two More Weeks to Comment on Conservation Practice Standards
Landowners interested in making public comments on how to improve conservation practice standards that support programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), are reminded you have until April 25 to do so. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting public input on existing national conservation practice standards as part of implementing the 2018 Farm Bill. Over 150 …