The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind conservation partners that they will be investing up to $17 million to help protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is prioritizing proposals that focus on assisting historically underserved producers conserving wetlands. But, the deadline for proposals from partners …
Feral Swine Workshop to be Held in South Georgia
For those in South Georgia that have an interest in learning how to manage feral swine on your property, Seven Rivers RC&D and the Satilla S&WCD are teaming up with other partners to host a workshop on August 17. The event will run from 10:00am-1:00pm at the Pierce County Extension Meeting Room in Blackshear, Ga. For registration information call 912-367-7679. …
Vilsack Delivers Statement at Immigrant Farmworkers Hearing
On Wednesday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified during the “Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America” Judiciary Committee hearing. This was the first-ever appearance by an Agriculture Secretary before the full Senate Judiciary Committee. During his opening statement, Vilsack discussed the important role immigrant farmworkers have in the food and agriculture industry and the overall economy. Vilsack said we …
Apply for Funding from USDA/NRCS to Remove Cogongrass
(GAINESVILLE, Fla., July 21, 2021) — Florida forest landowners in parts of Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties can apply for financial assistance to manage invasive Cogongrass until Sept. 1 from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The U.S. Department of Agriculture will invest $60,000 in fiscal year 2022 to remove the highly invasive Cogongrass in Florida. One of the world’s top-10 worst weeds, …
Sign-up Begins for New Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program
We told you last week that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had announced a new program for certain livestock and poultry producers, called the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP). This was designed to help producers who suffered losses during the Covid-19 pandemic due to insufficient access to processing and the cost of depopulation and disposal of those animals. Signup for this program begins today …
Clarifying the Product of the USA Label
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a top-to-bottom review of the “Product of the USA” label, which will inform a forthcoming rulemaking on this topic. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said “American consumers depend upon accurate, transparent labels to obtain important information about the food they consume. American farmers and ranchers depend upon those same labels to convey information about …
USDA Compost and Food Waste Reduction Applications are Due Friday
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $2 million for local governments to host Community Compost and Food Waste Reduction (CCFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2021. But the deadline to apply is Friday, July 16. The cooperative agreements support projects that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste …
South Florida Farm Bill Conservation Programs Workshop
A workshop about USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial assistance for local farmers, nursery operators, and private forestland owners for conservation practices will be held July 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. The workshop will provide information about conservation planning for successful participation, basic eligibility, and what each program has to offer. The event will be held at the Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension …
USDA Announces Dates for CRP Grasslands Signups
Signup has opened for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. The CRP Grassland signup is competitive, and USDA’s …
GCC Encourages Producers to Scout for Tarnished Plant Bugs
By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission encourages producers to scout their fields for tarnished plant bugs and spray appropriately. What normally has not been a major cotton pest for Georgia growers is increasing in numbers this season, says University of Georgia Cooperative Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts. “Historically, plant bugs have not been a major pest for us here …