By testing new technology, University of Florida scientists will work with growers to encourage their use of alternatives to fresh water by using new smart irrigation systems. This way, growers can lower their risk of transferring pathogens from water to crops, said Eric McLamore, an associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural …
Lake Okeechobee’s Green Algae Debate Rages On
The Lake Okeechobee green algae saga continues. As I suggested in a report a few days back, it appears to be becoming more and more of a political football. This week a candidate for Governor of Florida appeared at a rally of coastal and inland fishermen in Clewiston, expecting to find a supportive audience for anti-agriculture rhetoric on the topic. …
NRCS to Help Alabama Farmers Measure Water Quality
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind farmers that the signup for funding to help install edge-of-field stations that monitor water quality as it leaves their fields ends this Friday, July 20. NRCS to Help Alabama Farmers Measure Water Quality Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril …
Is Lake Okeechobee Algae Becoming Political Football?
Seasonal rains keep falling in south Florida and Lake Okeechobee water levels and water releases keep making national news. The so-called green algae again heads through canals and urbanizing areas toward the ocean to the East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West. Farmers south of the lake continue to fight misinformation spread by anti-agriculture interests in the region …
Gov. Scott Takes More Action to Combat Algal Blooms
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott met with White House Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney to continue advocating for full funding for the repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee. The Governor also spoke about the importance of the federal government quickly approving the EAA reservoir project, which will hold more water south of …
Florida Gets Another Chance to Make Case in ‘Water War’
By: Lloyd Dunkelberger TALLAHASSEE — In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the nation’s third-largest state should be given another chance to prove its case that overconsumption of water in Georgia is damaging the Apalachicola River system. The 5-4 decision, written by Justice Stephen Breyer, overturned a 2017 recommendation by a court-appointed special master that found …
Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court “water war” decision: “After a raging wildfire destroyed the homes and livelihoods of dozens of families this weekend, the Apalachicola Bay community needed some good news. Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for Floridians. For decades, we’ve fought on every …
BREAKING NEWS: Florida Wins Round in ‘Water War’
In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday sent the state’s “water war” with Georgia back to a special master for further consideration. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, said Special Master Ralph Lancaster used “too strict a standard” in recommending that Florida be denied relief in its long-running claim that overconsumption of water in Georgia …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Applauds Injunction Blocking Enforcement of ‘WOTUS’ Rule
Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is applauding action recently taken by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to grant a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “This rule was a blatant overreach of the federal government,” Commissioner Black said. “We are pleased that the courts clearly saw the irreparable …
Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall made the following statement on the recent federal district court ruling regarding the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “A federal district court ruling in Georgia late last week has effectively suspended the flawed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule from taking effect in 11 more states that challenged its legality. …