Congress has completed its work for 2016, with the final two items of business the Senate had to approve before adjourning included passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the federal government through April 28, 2017 and a Water Resources Development Bill. Reece Langley, Vice President of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, has more details on the …
Discussing Partnerships for Working Lands Conservation
Folks from across the country were on hand for a one-day symposium held Thursday in Atlanta to highlight the power of partner-driven conservation on private working lands and explore opportunities for innovative approaches that bring in new partners, tools, and approaches to further voluntary conservation. Jason Weller, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, was pleased with the turnout and …
Trump Picks Oklahoma’s Pruitt to Lead EPA
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as his Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Pruitt has spent much of his energy as attorney general fighting the agency he is being nominated to lead, according to the Washington Post. He is suing the EPA over climate change rules and is vastly opposed to the Waters of the U.S. rule, …
House Speaker Promises Regulation Relief in Next Congress
House Speaker Paul Ryan promises to provide regulatory relief during the next Congress. The Wisconsin Republican over the weekend used agriculture as an example of needing relief during a CBS 60 Minutes interview. He called regulatory relief his second priority, following a plan to repeal Obamacare. Ryan says he wants to have “smarter regulations” that can help grow jobs. He …
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight – Ag Environmental Awards
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks to Franko Galoso about the 2016 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award winners. Download Audio To learn more about the winners click, 2016 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards.
Ag in Review for the Week Ending December 2, 2016
In this week’s recap of agricultural news from around the Southeast, we talk about divvying up water in a river system, have information about the Georgia Dock chicken-pricing index, look at the latest Peanut Stocks and Processing Report, talk about deer, dairy farming
Hearing Ends in Florida-Georgia Water Fight
From The News Service of Florida: A special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court finished hearing arguments Thursday in a high-profile legal battle about divvying up water in a river system shared by Florida and Georgia, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Special Master Ralph Lancaster said he could rule by Christmas, with the dispute then going back to the Supreme …
Trump EPA Administrator Pick on the Horizon
President-elect Donald Trump could soon pick his choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Politico reports the shortlist includes Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt and Kathleen Hartnett White, director of the Armstrong Center for Energy and the Environment at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Both candidates oppose the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule, also
Alabama NRCS Working to Help Producers during Drought
The drought, and lack of water for livestock has many producers in Alabama concerned right now. And USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is very aware of the situation. Here’s Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone. Download Audio
Alabama NRCS Looking at EQIP to Help Producers
Drought conditions in Alabama are at the top of many minds right now, and some producers continue to look at ways to supply water for their livestock. While USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama does not have a disaster aid program, NRCS assistant state conservationist for programs, Steve Musser, explains how NRCS can help. Download Audio