~ Maximum grant for eligible producers raised from $50,000 to $150,000 ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 21,2023) — Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a cost-share assistance program to support agricultural producers severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The cost-share assistance program will be administered though the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy and will support …
USDA Announces Projects to Boost Access to Green Space for Millions
Historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will increase urban tree cover, boost equitable access to nature, and improve climate resilience in communities covered by the Justice40 Initiative (USDA/WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2023) — Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service is awarding more than $1 billion in competitive grants to plant and maintain …
Disaster Assistance Provided to Farmers, Livestock Producers in Florida Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. (USDA-NRCS/GAINESVILLE, FL/Sept. 12, 2023) — Florida agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical …
Stump Buster Brings Observation to Prevent Forest Disease and Wildfire
A long time U.S. Forest Service pathologist uses decades of observation of local forests to determine threats of disease, invasive pests, and wildfire. Rod Bain has the story coming up on This Land of Ours. A 55-year career for US Forest Service pathologist Martin MacKenzie has earned him several titles such as professional observer and stump-buster for his ability to …
Biden-Harris Administration Invests $150M to Connect Underserved and Small Acreage Forest Landowners to Emerging Climate Markets?as part of Investing in America Agenda
(USDA/BRUNSWICK, GA/August 22, 2023) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is making $150 million from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history, available to help underserved and small acreage forest landowners connect to emerging voluntary climate markets. These markets can provide economic opportunities for landowners and incentivize improved forest health …
Mitigating Needle Blight: A Growing Economic Threat to Pine Forests
Pine forests and industrial wood plantations in the Southeast are crucial for the region’s economic sustainability. And due to this, there are many concerns right now with mitigating needle blight. Tim Albritton, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state staff forester in Alabama explains what they are finding their state. Some easily viewed symptoms may appear as chlorosis (yellowing), brown-red spots/bands, and needle …
Florida Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Application Results Released
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has released the results of 2023 applications for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP), and Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is pleased with the response. Landowners from 181 properties, which represents over 200,000 acres, submitted applications to be considered for funding. The program, which partners with farmers and ranchers through conservation easements, is …
Nation’s Forests Topic of House Ag Subcommittee Hearing
The nation’s forest systems, wood industries, and wildfires were the topic of a hearing last week in the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry with Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Randy Moore. The hearing largely focused on wildfire management and prevention. “We have a number of forests across the US that are really maximizing their opportunities to use the tools …
Forest Management and Water Yield Tool Development and Synthesis of Outcomes for Embedded Wetlands
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues to promote wetlands and the importance they provide, including a suite of ecosystem services. This involves everything from fish and wildlife habitat, microclimate regulation, nutrient and sediment capture and storage, water storage to reduce flooding, and carbon storage with resulting benefits for climate change mitigation. The scope of these services may be significantly affected …
Florida Applications for Conservation Easement Funding are Due March 17
Florida landowners in the St. Marks and Aucilla watersheds interested in protecting the conservation values of their land are being reminded the application deadline for conservation easement funding through the Red Hills to the Coast – Connecting Land and Water project is Friday, March 17, 2023. Led by the Tall Timbers Research Station and Land Conservancy, in partnership with the U.S. …