Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced her appointment of Christopher Pettit as Director of Agricultural Water Policy for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Speaking outside the South Florida Water Management District, Fried highlighted Pettit’s background in water resources management in Florida and beyond. A livestream of the press conference may be viewed here. “Addressing our state’s water issues was one of my …
Signup by Friday for CSP
The signup deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for 2019 funding is Friday, May 10. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is planning to invest up to $700 million for both new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill did make several changes to CSP including high ranking applications are now based on …
Plants that Attract Bees and Other Pollinators
Cathy Isom has information for you about the plants that will attract bees and other pollinating friends to your garden. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. As much as we like our fruits and vegetables and other wild plants – we also need bees and other pollinating friends to keep them around! According to the Natural Resources Defense …
Conservation Stewardship Program Signup Deadline Is Friday
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 ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides …
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. …