USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia and the Georgia Conservancy Inc. wants landowners in the state to know that a sign up for the Georgia Sentinel Landscape Project is underway. The deadline for eligible producers to apply is November 5, 2021. This state project is funded through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and was developed in conjunction with …
October USDA Deadlines Approaching
Covid-19 has impacted many agricultural and forestry operations across the country, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering financial assistance for farmers and ranchers and even timber harvesters and haulers. But USDA reminds those interested the signup deadlines are coming up next week. The signup deadline for three pandemic assistance programs are: · Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 – October 12 …
Positive Outlook for Real Christmas Trees in 2021
Christmas tree growers are overcoming logistical challenges of COVID-19 and a heatwave in the Pacific Northwest to provide enough trees for 2021 demand. After close evaluation and making tree-by-tree decisions, growers expect to supply the same overall number of real Christmas trees to the marketplace this season as they had planned before the crises hit. With just about eight weeks …
Longleaf Pine Initiative Developed for Southeast Landowners
Longleaf pine forests once encompassed more than 90 million acres across the Southeast, stretching from eastern Texas to southern Virginia. These forests represent some of the world’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and are home to nearly 600 plant and animal species. But over the past couple of centuries, development, timbering and fire suppression reduced the ecosystem’s range. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
Protect Against the COVID-19 Delta Variant
If you would have asked us last September if there would still be a need to write a tip about COVID-19 a year later, our answer would have been, “We sure hope not.” So, what’s changed? The simplest explanation is the emergence of the Delta variant. When you hear us talk about food safety, we don’t often talk about variants. …
Safety Tips for Flying Drones Offered by UF/IFAS Researchers
Some people view drones as toys, but they can be dangerous. In fact, about 1,000 people per year are injured from using drones incorrectly. To address the potential peril, two University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) researchers are offering ways to keep people from getting hurt while using drones. For legal advice on personal injury related to …
Georgia Longleaf Pine Groundcover Restoration Program
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia invites producers interested in learning more about longleaf pine to take part in a groundcover restoration program. The Virtual Longleaf Groundcover 201 Academy, which starts August 30, is being sponsored by the Chattahoochee Fall Line Conservation Partnership and hosted by the Longleaf Alliance. The program will focus on restoration, as expert instruction will be provided …
USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers
Starting today (July 22), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications to provide relief to timber harvesting and timber hauling businesses that have experienced losses due to COVID-19 pandemic. It’s all a part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack gives some of the eligibility criteria for the new program. The Consolidated Appropriations Act …
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Practices Program is Part of EQIP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced $10 million has been earmarked to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 states, including Florida and Georgia. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Deputy Chief of Programs, Jimmy Bramblett, says this pilot program is associated with a NRCS program many producers may already be familiar with, EQIP. Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program …
USDA Investing Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they are providing $10 million to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices in 10 targeted states. This includes Florida and Georgia. The assistance, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will help agricultural producers plan and implement voluntary conservation practices that sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of …