From the U.S. Department of Agriculture: Washington, D.C. – Aug. 22, 2014 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that California citrus farmers will be able to resume exports to China this season. California citrus exports are valued at $30 million annually. “Resuming trade before the start of the 2014 citrus shipping season is the result of a lot of …
Florida Forest Service Sets Prescribed Fire Record
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Forest Service oversees one of the most active prescribed fire programs in the country in order to reduce the risk of wildfires and keep Florida’s natural habitats healthy and growing. During the past year, the Florida Forest Service reports that more than 2.5 million acres across …
State Forester Jim Karels Recognized by Florida Cabinet
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Tallahassee, FL – State Forester Jim Karels was recognized by the Florida Cabinet today, in appreciation for his leadership during the investigation into the deaths of 19 firefighters in the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona in 2013. “Jim demonstrated true leadership in lending his expertise and experience to the investigation of …
Meet Sammy Soil
With back to school time here, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants children across the state to know about Sammy Soil, a soil conservation icon for NRCS. Sammy, who has managed to capture the public’s attention for more than 40 years, started as a cartoon and now serves as a mascot for the agency. To learn more about …
Southerland and Putnam Discuss EPA Regulations
U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, II hosted a press conference today from Florida’s Capitol in Tallahassee to highlight his Regulatory Overreach Protection Act (H.R. 5078). Southerland was joined by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and other Florida stakeholders to highlight bipartisan efforts to stop the EPA and Army Corps from expanding its regulatory authority to almost any body of water in America. …
650-Acres of Conservation Land in Florida Approved for Acquisition by ARC
From the Florida Department of Environmental Protection: TALLAHASSEE – Today the Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) voted to amend the existing boundary line of the Charlotte Harbor Flatwoods Florida Forever Project to include Bond Ranch, a 650-acre parcel. This step enables the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of State Lands to move forward with the acquisition of the parcel. …
Florida NRCS Encourages Producers to Learn about CSP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida encourages producers to learn more about the Conservation Stewardship Program. Participants in the program take additional steps to improve resource conditions including soil quality, water quality, water quantity, air quality, and habitat quality, and even energy. One Florida farmer is pleased that he signed up for CSP. Download Audio
Alabama Growers Reminded to Think Fall Cover Crops
With fall just around the corner, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and Agricultural Research Service in Alabama is reminding growers now is the time to be thinking about cover crops. Download Audio
Florida Remembers Hurricane Charley on 10th Anniversary
From the Florida Division of Emergency Management: TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Ten years ago today, Hurricane Charley made landfall near Port Charlotte in Southwest Florida as a Category 4 storm, making it the strongest storm since Hurricane Andrew to impact Florida. On the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Charley, Florida’s residents and visitors are reminded to have a family emergency plan and …
ADAI Clean Sweep Program Pesticide Collection Days in September
From the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries: Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries in cooperation with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, are conducting two agricultural pesticide collection days, one to be held Wednesday, September 3rd in Baldwin County and another on Thursday, September 4th in Henry County. The ADAI Clean Sweep Program allows farmers, pesticide …