USDA-NRCS in Georgia Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners

Dan Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is requesting proposals to assist with implementing some key priorities. The objective of this Notice of Funding is to obtain Technical Services and Projects to enhance conservation technical assistance and Farm Bill program delivery across Georgia. Conservation minded organizations, who wish to apply, should demonstrate how they can ensure equity in the delivery …

Fiscal Year 2024 Soil Survey Cooperative Research Priorities

Dan Environment, Soil, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest in partnerships to promote and fund research that informs and improves soil surveys at the national level. It is all part of an ongoing effort to continue to provide critical data to the country, and partners are encouraged to prepare proposals. Each of the 2024 Cooperative Soil Survey Research Proposals must include significant …

2024 ESAP Nominations are Due March 8

Dan Cattle, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)

Nominations for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) are due March 8, 2024. This award program recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the nation each year. Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business raising or feeding cattle. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, although nominees …

Nematode-Resistant Varieties Have Benefits for Cotton Producers

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton Team remind growers about the benefits of implementing nematode-resistant varieties for the 2024 season. Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist, talked with AgNet Media’s Randall Weiseman and discussed those benefits at the commission’s annual meeting in January. Nematodes are microscopic worms that can devastate cotton and …

NRCS Seeking Public Comment on Conservation Practices

Dan Cattle, Conservation, Environment, Livestock, Pasture, USDA-NRCS, Water

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to eight national conservation practice standards. Proposed revisions to the national conservation practice standards include: Comments should be submitted via regulations.gov or via mail by March 4, 2024. NRCS regularly reviews all national conservation practices to seek opportunities to increase flexibility and incorporate new technologies to help the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and private …

GCC Guides Cotton Growers About Dicamba Use Following EPA Response

Clint Thompson Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC)

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) issued a response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent guidance on the use of dicamba products, which was recently vacated by the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona for over-the-top use on dicamba resistant cotton and soybeans. GCC Executive Director Taylor Sills talked about the EPA’s guidance which will help …

USDA to Train Future Conservation and Climate Leaders

Dan Climate Change, Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new effort to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders. As part of the American Climate Corps (ACC) initiative, the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the …

Record Investment in Private Lands Conservation

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

It was announced Tuesday that the Biden Administration made record investments in private lands conservation in fiscal year 2023. This was all through resources made available by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with the largest investment in climate action.  In fiscal year 2023, USDA supported more than 45,000 conservation contracts, more than any year in the 89-year history of USDA’s Natural Resources …

Pest Prevention Projects and PPA 7721

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours, USDA-APHIS

Projects to prevent plant pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over 370 projects across U.S states and territories are funded as part of a USDA program focused on plant pest and disease defense. Samantha Simon of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tells us about the USDA program designed to support state efforts. “It grants USDA …

Over $4.5M Approved for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Funding

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb 13, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that more than $4.5 million has been approved for farmers impacted by Hurricane Idalia through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. Launched less than one month ago, the two agricultural recovery programs aim to help Florida …