While relief from heat and dry conditions across the Southeast is in the forecast for some areas, the lack of topsoil moisture continues to be a major factor. According to a story from Stephanie Ho, poor pasture conditions in our area and other parts of the country largely reflect areas where there is drought. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded …
Fried to Roll Out Climate Change Priorities
(NSF-Oct. 2, 2019) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday plans to roll out legislative priorities focused on climate change. Warning of greater coastal flooding and more powerful hurricanes, the package will address issues such as renewable energy, farm resilience, climate adaptation, new funding sources and financial incentives, Fried said Wednesday as she helped open the Florida Energy and Climate …
ARS and U.S. Army Join Forces to Revitalize Soil with Paper
(USDA/ARS-Oct. 2, 2019) — The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is helping to arm the U.S. military with a solution to two major environmental problems: the disposal of paper waste and revegetating damaged training grounds. Under federal regulations, U.S. Army classified papers must be pulverized to a fine consistency, which leaves the material unsuitable for recycling. Continued disposal of this waste …
Alabama Extension Offers Drought Resources
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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Funded Research Impactful for the Future of the …
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 …