From the Florida Department of Environmental Protection: TALLAHASSEE- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of State Lands has surpassed the goal of selling $40 million of non-conservation land to purchase new, valuable conservation lands. The division finalized the sale of two more state-owned surplus non-conservation lands on Monday, Sept. 15, increasing the budget for future purchases to $43,991,070. The …
USDA Announces Conservation Projects Through NRCS
It was announced this afternoon that USDA will be awarding $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations that will help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate innovation in private lands conservation. Some of those dollars are coming to Alabama and Florida, and Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller explains how these grants will be used. …
Secretary Vilsack Highlights Innovative Conservation Efforts during Midwest Farm Visit
From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: MOLINE, Ill., Sept. 15, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today the award of $15.7 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs) to 47 organizations that will help develop and demonstrate cutting-edge ideas to accelerate innovation in private lands conservation. The Secretary made the announcement while visiting a farm in Illinois. “These grants promote …
Okaloosa County Farm Bureau Names Farm Family of the Year
Gainesville, Fla., Sept. 12, 2014—Hughdon and Joan Holley have been farming 47 years, most of them while they worked fulltime jobs. They have since retired, but not from what they love to do. And next week Okaloosa County Farm Bureau will recognize them officially as the 2014 Farm Family of the Year for their innovation in farming and conservation. The …
USDA Video: USDA Week In Review September 12
A weekly look at some of the events and activities at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
EPA Registers New Nematicide Alternative to Restricted-Use Soil Fumigants, Including Methyl Bromide
From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: WASHINGTON–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is registering a new active ingredient, fluensulfone, a non-fumigant nematicide that provides lower-risk chemical control of nematodes than methyl bromide and other Restricted Use soil fumigants. Under the Montreal Protocol, EPA has phased out methyl bromide because its use depletes the ozone layer. Nematodes are difficult to control and …
Alabama Pesticide Disposal Program Hits Milestone
From the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries: MONTGOMERY, AL— Last week the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Waste Pesticide Disposal Clean Day Program surpassed 1 million pounds collected since the program began in 1994. At a collection day in Henry County the program needed 48,050 pounds to hit the 1 million pounds. Instead, agricultural producers dropped off
Springs Projects Approved by Florida Legislative Panel
By JIM TURNER THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, September 10, 2014 …… Money is now flowing toward 27 projects intended to improve some of the state’s most endangered natural springs. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, made up of House and Senate members, agreed Wednesday to use $25 million for a list of springs projects outlined last month …
Fight Against Giant Land Snails Continues
From: News Service of Florida Though more than 141,000 Giant African Land Snails have been eliminated in Florida during the past three years, a new infestation of 2,000 of the destructive snails has been found in Miami-Dade County, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said Tuesday. He called on Miami-Dade residents to help in the effort to eradicate the snails, which are …
Southeast AgNet This Week: Conservation Funding; WOTUS Maps
Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week features details on a new conservation program and information on the Waters of the U.S proposal. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.