The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $10 million has been earmarked to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 states, including Florida and Georgia. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Deputy Chief of Programs, Jimmy Bramblett, says this pilot program is associated with a NRCS program many producers may already be familiar with, EQIP. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program …
Statewide Farmworker Advisory Council, Farmworker Appreciation Day Announced by Florida Commissioner Nikki Fried
(Miami, Fla./June 29, 2021) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced the creation of Florida’s first Farmworker Advisory Council under the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Florida’s previous statewide farmworker advisory council, first established in 1979 under Governor Bob Graham, was later disbanded leaving farmworkers without a voice before the Florida Cabinet. In a proclamation, Commissioner Fried also recognized June 29, 2021, as Farmworker Appreciation Day in the …
Right to Farm Expansion Law in Florida Starts Thursday
Two months ago, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law an expansion of legal protections for farmers. And that bill will take effect July 1st, which is the start of the new state fiscal year. Passed by Florida lawmakers, SB88 expands the state’s “Right to Farm” law, which was initially approved in 1979. It helps shield farmers from what are known as …
USDA Investing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are providing $10 million to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 targeted states. This includes Florida and Georgia. The assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will help agricultural producers plan and implement voluntary conservation practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of …
Livestock Market Report Week Ending 6-25-2021
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended June 25, 2021, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions for the week ending June 25, 2021, receipts at 21 markets totaled an estimated 11,000 head compared to 12,800 last week and …
Four Florida Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
This Secretarial natural disaster designation allows the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to extend much-needed emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters through emergency loans. Emergency loans can be used to meet various recovery needs including the replacement of essential items such as equipment or livestock, reorganization of a farming operation or the refinance of …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces 2021 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Winners
(Tallahassee, Fla./June 23, 2021) — Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced winners for the 2021 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Award recipients come from different parts of Florida’s agricultural industry, but they all share a commitment to protecting and preserving Florida’s resources while producing commodities that keep our food supply and economy strong. “Two-thirds of Florida’s land is connected to agriculture– …
Assistance Helps Florida Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1, 2021 for financial and technical assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While applications for EQIP are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year and this is for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, ag landowners may receive financial and technical …
Florida Beef Council Chairman Promotes Checkoff
When it comes to the Beef Checkoff program, some producers may not be up to date on what it has done over the past few years and what it continues to do today. Florida Beef Council (FBC) Chairman Flint Johns, explains what the overall program is about and what it is doing in the state of Florida. For more information …
Florida DEP Provides Update to Cattlemen
One of the speakers during last week’s Florida Cattlemen’s Association Convention held at Marco Island was Adam Blalock, deputy secretary of ecosystems restoration for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Blalock gave producers an update on BMP’s, and also provided information about funding that was earmarked during the recent Florida Legislative Session for environmental programs. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman talked …