(ACES) — Heavy bouts of rainfall and strong storms created the perfect scenario for Alabama producers to talk about the many benefits of planting cover crops during the winter season. Audrey Gamble, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System soil scientist, said the weather throughout winter months in Alabama has allowed for thought-provoking conversations surrounding use of cover crops and off-season land …
E-Verify Issue Starts Moving in House
(NSF) — A party-line vote Thursday on a proposal that would require employers to check the immigration status of new hires is the latest sign that the Republican-dominated Legislature is moving toward giving Gov. Ron DeSantis a win on a campaign promise. The Republican-controlled House Commerce Committee approved a bill that would force all public employers — such as state …
USDA Offers New Hurricane Insurance Endorsement for Crop Year 2020
(USDA/RMA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a new crop insurance endorsement, Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI). HIP-WI covers a portion of the deductible of the underlying crop insurance policy when a county, or county adjacent, is within the area of sustained hurricane-force winds. The coverage provided by HIP-WI can be combined …
EQIP Sign-Up Deadline in Georgia is Friday
Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind agricultural producers and landowners in Georgia that Friday, Feb. 28 is the deadline to apply for fiscal year 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding. This is for all general EQIP, as well as some special initiatives such as the Longleaf Pine, On-Farm Energy, …
Alabama EQIP Sign-Up Deadline is Friday
Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service reminds farmers, ranchers and private landowners in Alabama to apply for financial and technical assistance through the 2020 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by Friday, Feb. 28. “NRCS works hard to help eligible farmers, ranchers and private landowners plan and carry out conservation practices that can benefit all Alabama’s …
Florida NRCS Accepting Conservation Easement Applications
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida reminds landowners they are accepting applications to fund agricultural easements in the state. Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements are both being accepted at this time. NRCS provides financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through both of those programs. NRCS provides financial assistance to conservation partners to …
USDA Announces Updates for Honeybee Producers
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced updates to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP). These updates include changes required by the 2018 Farm Bill as well as discretionary changes intended to improve the administration of the program and clarify existing program requirements. “Honeybee producers should pay close attention …
House Members Ready to Take Up E-Verify
(NSF) — As the legislative session dwindles to its final weeks, House members are set Thursday to consider for the first-time a contentious proposal that would mandate employers do immigration checks on new workers. The push to implement E-Verify, a federal system designed to confirm workers’ legal eligibility, has proven to be a whirlwind legislative effort as Gov. Ron DeSantis makes …
Senators Continue Push for Florida Forever Money
(NSF) — Senators pressed forward Tuesday with a proposal that would provide $100 million a year for Florida Forever, as the House and Senate go into budget talks far apart on the land-buying program. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee backed a proposal (SB 332) by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, that would funnel $100 million annually to …
Alabama Peanut Referendum Vote is April 9
(APPA) — The Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) has been certified by the Alabama Board of Agriculture and Industries as the authorized association to conduct a referendum among the peanut producers in the State of Alabama to determine whether or not an assessment shall be collected on all peanuts marketed in Alabama. Notice is hereby given that the referendum will …