Florida Agricultural Landowners Reminded to Apply for EQIP, CSP & RCCP

Dan Agri-Business, Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Florida, Forestry, Funding, Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) wants to remind agricultural landowners in the state that they are still accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), climate-smart practices through EQIP and CSP funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). While NRCS accepts applications year-round, Florida producers and landowners need to apply by November 17, …

Ag Commissioner Applauds Florida Legislature for Prioritizing Hurricane Idalia Recovery Efforts for Agriculture

Dan Agri-Business, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry, Funding

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 8, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson applauded the efforts of the Florida Legislature following the conclusion of a special session that prioritized Hurricane Idalia recovery relief for Florida’s agriculture industry: “Florida’s agriculture industry sustained widespread damage from Hurricane Idalia, with an estimated loss of over $447 million in crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Our state’s farmers, …

Florida NRCS Holding CSP Webinar November 6

Dan Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Education, Environment, Florida, Forestry, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a virtual workshop and overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners on Monday, November 6, 2023. CSP is a unique program that offers additional conservation and financial opportunities. Florida CSP funding for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) was increased to $15.5 million. There will be two …

Christmas Tree Cutting in National Forests

Dan Forestry, This Land of Ours

An easier way to legally get your Christmas tree from a national forest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For several years, the Forest Service has offered Christmas tree permit sales through local offices, but now it’s even easier. Christmas tree permits for those wishing to cut their tree in their local or favorite National Forest are now …

Georgia Producers Reminded about EQIP Sign-Up

Dan Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forestry, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is still accepting applications for a Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunity from agricultural and forest producers. This signup, which runs until November 17, 2023, is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While customers can apply for EQIP year-round, this application ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives, as well as the …

Webinar: Expansion of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities and other FY24 Conservation Opportunities

Dan Climate Change, Conservation, Economy, Environment, Farm Bill, Forestry, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public webinar Wednesday, October 25 at 2 pm eastern that will cover the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation activities available for Inflation Reduction Act funding. This is all through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The webinar will also cover available Inflation Reduction Act and …

Higher Interest Rates, Strong Dollar Affecting Rural Economies

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Exports/Imports, Field Crops, Forestry

CoBank says the combination of high interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar is beginning to take a disproportionate toll on rural industries like agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. Most international transactions are still conducted in dollars, and a strong dollar makes U.S. exports more expensive and imports cheaper. CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange says that disproportionately hurts the backbone of the rural …

EQIP Sign-Up Underway in Georgia

Dan Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Forestry, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunity for agricultural and forest producers. This is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the signup runs until November 17, 2023. It will utilize 2018 Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. While customers can apply year-round, this application ranking date …

Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preliminary Damage Assessment for Timber Following Hurricane Idalia

Dan Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Forestry

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 25, 2023) — Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the release of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary damage assessment of timber following Hurricane Idalia. The preliminary assessment estimated that Hurricane Idalia damaged 289,096 acres of timber at a value of $64,751,255. “For this part of the state in particular – which relies heavily on the …