Congressman Yoho on Longleaf Pine Initiative

Dan Alabama, Florida, Forestry, USDA-NRCS

Landowners across the Southeast are always encouraged to take part in the Longleaf Pine Initiative through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). And during a recent interview with Southeast AgNet, U.S. Congressman and member of the House Agriculture Committee, Ted Yoho from Florida, talked about their efforts to include even more pine species in the initiative. Congressman Yoho on Longleaf …

USDA Forest Service Announces New Strategy for Improving Forest Conditions

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) announced a new strategy for managing catastrophic wildfires and the impacts of invasive species, drought, and insect and disease epidemics. Specifically, a new report titled Toward Shared Stewardship across Landscapes: An Outcome-based investment Strategy (PDF, 3.7 MB) outlines the USFS’s plans to work more closely with states to identify landscape-scale priorities for targeted treatments in …

New Florida Regulations for Harvesting Saw Palmetto Berries

Dan Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, along with the Endangered Plant Advisory Council, recently added saw palmetto to the Department’s commercially exploited plant list. The new requirements took effect July 17, 2018. OFFICE OF AGRICULTURAL LAW ENFORCEMENT LEGAL BULLETIN 2018-02 SAW PALMETTO After receiving input from public and private landowners, conservation interests, and other interested parties, the Endangered Plant Advisory …

Restoring and Protecting Longleaf Pine Forests

Dan Forestry, USDA-NRCS

In June of 2017, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) released a two-year implementation strategy to help private landowners restore and protect 400,000 acres of longleaf pine forests. Through the strategy, NRCS furthers its ongoing effort to use existing Farm Bill programs and other resources to increase the abundance and improve the health of longleaf pine forests in nine Southeast states, including Alabama, Florida …

Benefits of Sustainably Harvesting Non-timber Forest Products

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release, Specialty Crops

A new report by USDA Forest Service researchers provides science-based information to help decision-makers, practitioners, and researchers to promote the sustainable harvest of non-timber forest products. The Assessment of Nontimber Forest Products in the United States Under Changing Conditions synthesizes the best available science for managing non-timber forest resources in the U.S. “Many private landowners harvest non-timber products to generate income from …

WHIP Signup Officially Open

Dan Cattle, Field Crops, Forestry, Industry News Release

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that agricultural producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires in 2017 now may apply for assistance to help recover and rebuild their farming operations. Signup begins July 16, 2018, and continues through November 16, 2018. “Hurricanes and wildfires caused billions of dollars in losses to America’s farmers last year. Our objective is to get relief funds …

Levy County Forester Named Florida Farmer of the Year

Dan Florida, Forestry, Industry News Release

Lynetta Usher Griner has received a prestigious honor for her business success and her contributions to her community. Earlier this month a panel of judges selected Griner as the 2018 Florida Farmer of the Year. Officially titled the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo Florida Farmer of the Year, the award recognizes outstanding agriculturists in each of the 10 states in the Southeast. …

Longleaf Pine Program for Florida Landowners

Dan Florida, Forestry, USDA-NRCS

Florida landowners are encouraged to take part in the Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program. The Florida Forest Service is accepting applications through Friday, July 13, 2018 from eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners. The program is supported through a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation with funding from various agencies including USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Forest Service, and the U.S. …