The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the investment into two projects in Georgia designed to help mitigate climate change and protect natural resources. In all, USDA is investing $330 million in 85 locally driven, public-private partnerships across the nation to address climate change, improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect …
Weather Forecast? Ag Climatologist Hopeful No Drought This Growing Season
What was supposed to be wasn’t with the La Nina weather pattern this winter. Expected warm and dry conditions gave way to cool and wet conditions that lasted through February. Persistent rains this winter provides hope for farmers that they will avoid a drought during the growing season, says Pam Knox, University of Georgia Extension Agricultural Climatologist. “(South Georgia) hasn’t …
More Storms in ‘Average’ Hurricane Season
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will issue its initial seasonal outlook for the 2021 hurricane season in late May. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. Beginning with this year’s hurricane season outlooks, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center (CPC) will use 1991-2020 as the new 30-year period of record. The updated averages for …
U.S. Drought Monitor: Tale of Two Regions
The Western U.S., in the latest Drought Monitor released Thursday, shows much of the region in drought categories, with several areas classified in extreme or exceptional drought, the two most severe categories. Comparatively, the Eastern U.S. is mostly drought-free from the Eastern seaboard to the Central Plains. Drawing a line from the eastern border of Texas to the North is …
Tornado Touchdowns in the Southeast
Preliminary estimates have one dozen tornadoes and a half-dozen fatalities resulting from tornado activity across parts of the Southeast Thursday. Rod Bain has more details. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey talks about a series of tornadic events that have taken place just in the month of March. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle …
No Reports of Major Storm Damage to Alabama Agriculture
Areas across the Southeast suffered from severe storms this week, including parts of Alabama. Several confirmed tornadoes caused damage to homes, power lines, and trees. But Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate told Southeast AgNet the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries (ADAI) had not received any reports of major damage to farms in the state. Pate noted major crops in the …
Timpoochee: 4-H Camp in Need of Repairs Following Eta
Hurricane Eta soaked Florida when it made landfall last November. Left in its wake were structures and facilities at Camp Timpoochee, a 95-year-old 4-H camp located along the shore of Choctwhatchee Bay in Niceville, Florida. Scott Angle, Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the UF/IFAS, provided an update on what it will take to rebuild and have up …
USDA Ready to Assist Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Winter Storms
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families, and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to residents, agricultural producers, and impacted communities. “USDA is committed to …
Texas Freeze Leaves Citrus Crop in Trouble
The historic cold snap that has frozen Texas this week has left citrus growers with little hope for saving their crops. “We’ve had the perfect trifecta this season,” says Dale Murden, citrus grower and president of Texas Citrus Mutual. “We’ve endured the lingering drought, Hurricane Hanna and now the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre — all on top of the pandemic. It’s …
Saturated Soils: Georgia Farmers Sidelined Due to Wet Weather
Georgia farmers are sidelined right now because of excessive rainfall in January and February. This could become problematic with planting season just around the corner. “We’re at or above saturated conditions right now all around. Any extra rainfall we’re getting right now, we’re losing to run-off. Our ponds and reservoirs and creeks are all at full capacity. I don’t think …