TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF) — During an appearance in Bonita Springs Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis encouraged advocates for clean water to keep pressing lawmakers to pass conservation measures in the upcoming 2020 legislative session. DeSantis, proudly noting that legislators this year exceeded his environmental funding request of $625 million by $55 million, said local voices are needed to maintain the “momentum” …
Which of the Five Common Breed of Honeybees is Best for You?
Cathy Isom has covered many different areas of raising and care of bees. In todays program, she tells you about five breed of honeybees, and a little about finding the common breed of honeybee that is right for you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. When it comes to honeybees, there are more than just one species and …
Conservation Reserve Program Signup Ends Friday
Farmers and ranchers with expiring Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contracts may now re-enroll in certain CRP continuous signup practices or, if eligible, select a one-year contract extension. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) also is accepting offers from those who want to enroll for the first time in one of the country’s largest conservation programs. But FSA’s 52nd signup for CRP …
Helping Defend Your Bees Against Bee Predators
Cathy Isom remains with her series on bees by giving you a few great tips about how to help defend your bees against bee predators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The way bees defend themselves is impressive, however, sometimes, they need our help against bee predators. Here are some ways to help give him a helping hand. …
NRCS Continues Promoting Soil Health
Soil health, also referred to as soil quality, is defined as the continued capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans. And USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues to promote the benefits and importance of soil health. Plus, this year the Soil Health Partnership (SHP) is celebrating its fifth anniversary and the foundational collaborations that developed …
How Bees Defend Themselves from Predators
In this part of her series on raising bees, Cathy Isom lets you know about how bees defend themselves. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Honeybees tend to take excellent care of themselves, however, unlike most animals we care for, we have very little control over what happens when a busy bee leaves its hive in pursuit of …
Glades Sugarcane Farmers Continue Water Quality Success
Recently, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) announced that once again, sugarcane and vegetable farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) surpassed annual phosphorus reduction targets by reducing phosphorus 44 percent – bringing the average annual reduction to 56 percent since the program began in 1996. “Good news on water gets lost in the shuffle, but sugarcane farmers continue …
You Can Help Bring Back the Bee Population
Without our pollinators, there would be no food. Cathy Isom continues her series on bees by telling us what we can do to help bring back the bee population. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Bees are the winged wonders that are really important to us but unfortunately are a dwindling population. Bees occur on every continent except …
Forum Addresses Climate Change and Agriculture
By Ernie Neff Florida ag producers, scientists, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and others discussed agriculture in the face of climate change in a forum held Monday in Gainesville. The forum was Agriculture and Forestry in a Changing Climate: What the Future Holds for Florida. Jack Payne, senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Florida Institute of …
Best Flowers to Grow for a Bee Garden
In her previous program Cathy Isom let you know about raising your own Queen Bee. She continues her series today filling you in about the best and most beautiful flowers for a bee garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A garden full of bright, seasonal flowers can nourish your local bees through every season. Consider planting these …