Governor Ron DeSantis issued an Executive Order that will reduce density and crowds in restaurants, bars, nightclubs and beaches to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Bars and Nightclubs Under the direction of Governor DeSantis, all bars and nightclubs throughout Florida will close for the next 30 days. Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will be enforcing and providing …
USDA Continues Focus on Service During COVID-19 Outbreak
(USDA) — While President Donald J. Trump continues to take action during this COVID-19 National Emergency and enact measures to ensure Americans are safe, secure, and healthy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to be open for business to provide services to the American people. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recorded the following video message reassuring the American …
USDA Seeks Proposals for On-Farm Conservation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through May 11 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials (On-Farm Trials), now in its second year. On-Farm Trials, part of the agency’s Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program, help support the adoption and evaluation of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural land. NRCS will invest up to $25 million …
Georgia NRCS Conducting Conservation Easements Signup
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds landowners interested in being considered for the fiscal year 2020 funding pool for this year’s Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), applications must be submitted by March 31, 2020. ACEP is a program with two components, Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible …
Alabama NRCS 2020 Conservation Easements Program Sign-Up
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants landowners across the state to know the 2020 Agricultural Conservation Easements Program Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE) sign-up deadline is March 23, 2020. This signup is for farmers, ranchers and private landowners to apply for financial and technical assistance. NRCS is encouraging Alabama producers and private landowners to submit their applications as soon as …
IFAS Extension Monitoring Coronavirus
The University of Florida IFAS Extension has been closely monitoring developments with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see the following resources from the University of Florida, the CDC, WHO, and Florida Department of Health. University of Florida Resources UF Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Positive Cases in Florida UF Health Coronavirus Updates Center for Disease Control (CDC) Resources Handwashing Communication Materials COVID-19 Communication …
Florida Lawmakers to Vote Thursday on Budget
(NSF) — Florida lawmakers will vote Thursday on a record $93.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year that includes spending $500 million to increase teacher pay and bolstering reserves as the novel coronavirus threatens state revenues. The budget was distributed Sunday evening, starting a legally required 72-hour review period before lawmakers can vote on it. The House and Senate scheduled …
NMPF Ready to Help Dairy Farmers Meet Coronavirus Challenges
(NAFB) — National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) President and CEO Jim Mulhern says his organization is ready to help dairy farmers meet the challenges brought on by the coronavirus. Those challenges can include impacts on both the domestic and international markets. “From possible damages to domestic and world markets, to supply chain labor disruptions on the farm, at the processing …
U.S. Pork Export Levels to China Hit Lowest Mark Ever
(NAFB) — U.S. export sales of pork to China fell to their lowest level on record for the week ending March 5th. Reuters says that’s even as accessing Chinese ports improved in the world’s number one pork consumer. The USDA’s weekly report showed that Chinese buyer cancellations pushed down the total export sales to China to negative 45,222 tons of …
USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
(USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is standing up a new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. “More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we …