FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM TURNER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, December 29, 2014………. Florida lawmakers might lay out future water and land preservation efforts in a 5-year plan updated annually, similar to how transportation projects are prioritized. The proposal will go before lawmakers during committee weeks leading up to the 2015 legislative session, which starts in March.
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: Protecting Florida’s Apalachicola Bay
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks to Franko Galoso about what’s being done to protect Florida’s Apalachicola Bay that has been devastated by Georgia’s over consumption of water. Download Audio You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook and Twitter. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com.
Florida Producer Pleased with NRCS Program
Agricultural producers in Florida have until March 20 to apply for 2015 financial assistance to make natural resource improvements through several specific initiatives. Danny Johns of Blue Sky Farms in St. Johns County talks about the National Water Quality Initiative he has been able to use on his farm through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida. Download Audio
Florida Adopts 10-Year Plan to Clean Lake Okeechobee
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: The state Department of Environmental Protection on Tuesday announced the adoption of a 10-year restoration plan for Lake Okeechobee that is expected to reduce phosphorous entering the lake by one-third. The $750 million “basin management action plan” identifies a variety of projects intended to lessen the influx of nutrient-rich water into the lake, create
Southeast AgNet This Week: Dairy Deadline; Specialty Crop Protection
Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week includes a reminder on Friday’s dairy program deadline and information on increased protection for specialty crop growers. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.
Cotton Research on Saving Water for Laundry
Vikki Martin, Director of Quality Research and Product Evaluation for Cotton Incorporated, has information concerning their research efforts with water and laundering cotton products. Cindy Zimmerman has the story. Download Audio
More Pressure on Legislators to Fight EPA Rules
Energy industry leaders are pressing state legislators to fight President Obama’s EPA rules and the grassroots effort could boost agriculture in its fight with EPA over the pending Waters of the U.S. rule. Download Audio
Waters of the U.S. Proposal gets More Attention on Capitol Hill
The EPA’s “Waters of the U.S.” proposal and its associated interpretive rules and guidance is still getting lots of attention on Capitol Hill. Gary Crawford has the story. Download Audio
Florida Commissioner’s Spotlight: Proposed Changes to Clean Water Act
On this week’s Commissioner’s Spotlight, Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam talks to Franko Galoso about how the EPA’s proposed changes to the Clean Water Act could affect Florida. Download Audio You can follow Florida Commissioner Adam Putnam on Facebook and Twitter. Discover more by visiting FreshFromFlorida.com.
Running Out of Water: UGA Researchers Look to Mother Nature for Help
From the University of Georgia: Athens, Ga. – Fresh water, a critical resource for life on Earth, may soon become dangerously scarce. Water use has been growing at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century, and by 2025, the demand for fresh water will exceed available resources for two-thirds of the world population, according to …