The drought has been making news in Florida, fueling more than 2,100 wildfires burning 170,000 acres since the start of the year according to The Florida Forest Service. And with up to a 12-inch rain deficit throughout the state and temperatures predicted to continue above normal, relief may not be in sight, even if the rainy season starts soon, according …
Growing Communities through Forestry in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is partnering with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities and the Alabama Forestry Commission to improve access to funding that assists minority forest landowners. The success of this endeavor relies on the local influence of community groups, The Limited Resource Landowner Education and Assistance Network (LRLEAN) and the Federation of Southern …
Two Florida NRCS Sign-up Deadlines This Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners interested in restoring a longleaf pine forest and build habitat for northern bobwhite quail habitat, you have until this Friday, May 19, to apply for financial assistance. Funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Contact your local USDA service center for more information. Plus, agricultural …
South Carolina Sending Firefighters, Equipment to Help Florida Battle Wildfires
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam and the Florida Forest Service announced that South Carolina is sending firefighters and equipment to help battle Florida wildfires. The support crews are expected to arrive in Central Florida Saturday evening. There more than 135 active wildfires in Florida and more than 2,000 wildfires have burned over 150,000 acres in Florida this year. Current conditions …
UF study: Cloning insect-fungus duo kills 500 million trees
by Ellison Langford, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Laurel wilt disease has killed as many as half-a-billion trees. And,a new study by a researcher with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences suggests it may have been spread by a single insect cloning itself. “In biology, there is no evidence of a single strain …
Putnam: `No End In Sight’ to Wildfires
from The News Service of Florida Nearly 125 wildfires were active in the state on Monday, and the dry conditions are expected to continue into the early summer, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said. “Florida is in the middle of its worst wildfire season in years — with no end in sight,” Putnam said in a prepared statement. “With such an …
Gov. Ivey Lends Assistance to State Forestry Agency
Although only in office a few weeks, Gov. Kay Ivey is helping to shore up a state agency important to rural Alabama. State Forester Rick Oates said Ivey told him she intends to release nearly $500,000 from the governor’s discretionary departmental emergency fund to help the budget-stressed Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC). Last year’s drought-related fires took a toll on the …
Rising Drought and Wildfire Concerns in Florida
The threat of wildfire this month in Florida may be on the rise as drought coverage in the state is also increasing. Rod Bain has more. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 31, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
International Trade and Deforestation: Potential Policy Effects via a Global Economic Model
by Jayson Beckman, Ron Sands, Anne Riddle, Tani Lee, and Jacob M. Walloga USDA Economic Research Service What is the Issue? An increasing world population and a shift in global diets toward vegetable oils and animal products increase the demand for agricultural commodities. To meet this demand, forestland is frequently converted into crop fields or pasture, especially in developing countries. …
National Arbor Day
Cathy Isom tells us about the National holiday dedicated to planting and caring for some of the Earth’s greatest treasures. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Every last Friday in April is National Arbor Day. It’s a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees in their community. Trees provide …