How did the tradition of the Christmas tree get started? Gary Crawford has one of several possible theories coming up on This Land of Ours. No one knows for sure exactly how the tradition of decorating an Evergreen tree for the holidays got started, but one story is called “The Blessing of the Fir Tree.” Agriculture Department history researcher Anne …
Partnership for U.S. Forests
A new partnership to improve the nation’s forests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The nonprofit conservation organization American Forests is teaming up with the USDA Forest Service to help in reforestation across millions of burned and degraded acres over the next five years. The $20 million agreement will enable American Forests to aid the Forest Service to …
Tight Supply of Christmas Trees
What’s the story behind the recent very tight supplies of real Christmas trees? Gary Crawford tells us in today’s This Land of Ours. Shop early to find that perfect Christmas tree before they’re all gone. Shoppers are hearing that message a lot this year, but why? Well, Tim O’Connor with the National Christmas Tree Association says most growers these days …
Optimism in Christmas Tree Industry
There’s optimism about the future of the Christmas tree industry. Gary Crawford has more coming up on This Land of Ours. Ten to fifteen years ago Christmas tree growers were worried about the long-term future of their industry. Today that worry is changing into optimism. It seems more and more people are telling us that they are done with artificial …
National Christmas Tree Now on Display
A holiday tradition is now on display at the nation’s capitol. Rod Bain has more coming up on This Land of Ours. This 2023 holiday season will kick-off with the National Christmas Tree Lighting! This beloved American tradition, presented by the National Park Service (NPS) and the National Park Foundation (NPF), will feature musical performances and the official lighting of the …
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Announces Final Project Acquisition List for Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 20/2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the final project acquisition list for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program following the program’s final public meeting which was held in Tallahassee to create a ranked list of agricultural lands eligible for protection. “Today is an important milestone in our pursuit of preserving Florida’s productive agriculture lands. …
National Christmas Tree Tour
The nation’s Christmas Tree is on tour. That’s coming up on This Land Of Ours. The 2023 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree has been named “wa’feem’tekwi” by the Shawnee Tribe. The name means “bright tree” in the Shawnee language and is pronounced phonetically “wa thame tech we”. Now on its home stretch of its month-long tour, of its home state. …
EQIP Signup Reminder in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind agricultural and forest producers in the state that signup for Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) runs until Friday, November 17, 2023. This application ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives, as well as the IRA-funded Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry mitigation activities that address grazing, forestry, …
Injecting Carbon into National Forests and Grasslands
A proposed forest service change could lead to more carbon storage. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Forest Service proposed a change in regulations that would allow it to consider requests to inject carbon dioxide beneath the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands. Currently, the Forest Service is barred from authorizing “exclusive and perpetual …
Florida Agricultural Landowners Reminded to Apply for EQIP, CSP & RCCP
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, …