Efforts are ongoing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to build a data dashboard for those involved in pollinator health improvement efforts. USDA Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Coordinator, Elizabeth Hill, explains the concept of data dashboards and how one developed specifically for pollinators can aid researchers and stakeholders in pollinator health efforts. Hill discusses how a developing data …
USDA Accepts 2.8 Million Acres for the CRP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced they’ve accepted 2.8 million acres in offers from agricultural producers and private landowners for enrollment into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) this year. That brings the total accepted this year to almost 1.9 million acres through the General CRP Signup. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says they have also accepted over …
GCC Encourages Producers to Attend Remaining Field Days
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) encourages producers to attend any of the remaining three field days to be held over the next month. Growers can interact with researchers and ask questions about issues pertinent to their farming operations. Topics typically center on variety selection, pest management, irrigation and precision agriculture. Taylor Sills, executive director of the Georgia …
Federal Program Helps Public after Hurricanes, Natural Disasters
With Tropical Storm Fred affecting areas of Florida, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants to remind landowners the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) may be able to help if your area suffers damage from this or any other storms during this hurricane season. The program can relieve imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and hurricanes. Aid may include …
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 …
Georgia Cotton Producers Encouraged to Scout for Corn Earworms
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension remind producers about the need to scout for corn earworms (CEW). UGA Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts stresses the importance of protecting against increased infestations. “We don’t have any widespread problems on the farm at this time, but we’re seeing an increase in activity. We need …
USDA Invests $167 Million in High-Speed Broadband in 12 States
Re-Connect Funding to Give 100,000 People Access to High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity (WASHINGTON, Aug. 11, 2021) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $167 million in 12 states to deploy broadband infrastructure (PDF, 360 KB) in rural areas without sufficient access to high-speed internet. “Generations ago, the federal government recognized that without affordable access to …
Partnership Opportunities for Wetland Conservation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be investing up to $17 million to help protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). And USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind conservation partners the deadline for proposals is August 15, 2021. NRCS Easement Program Division Director Carrie Lindig says this WREP funding will …
USDA Gathering Data on Feral Swine Damage to Livestock Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has announced they will be conducting a Feral Swine Livestock Damage survey to measure the costs of feral swine damage to livestock operations. The survey is conducted in cooperation with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Wildlife Services. Over 4,000 farms and ranches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and …
Assistance Helps Farmers and Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1,2021 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners can receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other …