(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. …
Temporary Restrictions to Take Effect at Franklin State Forest
Extensive damage caused by visitors threatens natural resources (NASHVILLE, TN/March 8, 2023) – Visitors to Franklin State Forest in Franklin and Marion Counties will only be allowed to enjoy the forest on foot beginning March 11, 2023. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is instituting temporary restrictions for 120 days to assess the damage caused by off-road vehicles …
Top Agricultural Markets to Start the Year
Looking back at February, some agricultural markets did very well. Mark Oppold explains what markets top the list after the first two months of the year. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Tracking Commodity Prices in January
Some of the 48 commodities being tracked did fairly well in the month of January. Mark Oppold looks at some of the top performers, including ag commodities. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Florida Ag Commissioner Announces Funds Available to Landowners for Protecting Florida Land Program
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 25, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson and the Florida Forest Service announced that $2.6 million is now available to landowners through the Sequestering Carbon and Protecting Florida Land Program. The program offers landowners incentive payments to help increase the acreage of healthy forests in Florida. “We are proud to offer the Protecting Florida Land Program to help …