(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 16, 2023) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and its Division of Plant Industry (DPI) announced that a quarantine has been established in specific areas of Lee County in response to previously detected Giant African Land Snails (GALS). Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but …
Alabama Applications for ACEP Funding are Due March 17
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama reminds farmers, ranchers and private landowners that Friday, March 17 is the deadline to apply for financial and technical assistance for 2023 Inflation Reduction Act funding through the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). This includes both the Agricultural Land (ALE) and Wetland Reserve (WRE) easement sign-up. While NRCS does accept ACEP-ALE and ACEP-WRE applications throughout the year, they …
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. …
CSP Sign-up for Classic and IRA Funding Continues in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia is encouraging Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on previous conservation efforts and building climate resiliency to consider one of two funding opportunities available to them this year. NRCS is offering the statewide Classic Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up through March 31, 2023. CSP-Classic provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife …
Attention Cotton Growers: How to Prepare for Upcoming Planting Season
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team remind producers about the importance of ensuring equipment is ready ahead of planting season which is less than two months away. Camp Hand, UGA Extension cotton agronomist, discussed the preparations that growers need to make with most of the planting season slated for early-to-mid May. “Soil …
Georgia Beef Board Pleased with Atlanta Chili Week
The Beef Checkoff program in Georgia recently took part in Atlanta Chili Week. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Director of Public Relations, Taylor Evans, says they were excited to bring this beef promotion back. Atlanta Chili Week was held February 20-26. To learn more about Beef Checkoff promotions in Georgia, contact the GBB office in Macon at 478-474-1815. Images courtesy of Atlanta Chili Week/Facebook. …
Virtual Workshops on CSP Being Held Thursday in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is hosting two virtual workshops on Thursday, March 16. They are designed for an overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners. The first session will run from 2pm to 4pm Eastern, the second session (the same presentation as the first) will be from 6pm to 8pm Eastern. The agenda for …
Cattlemen Welcome Introduction of Black Vulture Relief Act
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Black Vulture Relief Act, led by Rep. John Rose (R-TN) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL). NCBA Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes, explains what this bill does. Black vulture depredation rates have increased across the Southeast in recent years, surpassing 30% in some states like Florida. And they are causing …
Alabama Starts Black Vulture Depredation Permitting April 1
Cattle producers across many areas of the county recently welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan Black Vulture Relief Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. It’s a bill designed to give producer’s greater flexibility on black vulture management. But in Alabama, a new program through the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) starts April 1. ADAI Deputy Commissioner Hassey Brooks explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall …
Meat Plants Employed Nearly 31% of U.S. Food Workers in 2021
The latest federal data shows that in 2021, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed 1.7 million people, or more than 1.1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment. Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, food and beverage manufacturing accounted for the largest share of employees, 15.4 percent. USDA’s Economic Research Service Monday announced the data, noting that these employees help …