The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implements the CIG program, where partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm …
DeSantis Vetoes Controversial Everglades Bill
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/June 8, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure tied to Everglades restoration that, even after being watered down during the legislative session, continued to draw concerns about potential wetlands destruction. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, pushed to pass the bill (SB 2508) during the session that ended in March. DeSantis criticized an initial version, leading …
Vilsack Gives Details on Food Supply Chain Plans
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack made an announcement Wednesday at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. on USDA’s framework for improving the food supply chain and transforming the food system. In a release, the secretary’s office said the address underscored “USDA’s commitment to increase competition, bolster access to healthy, affordable food, ensure growers and workers receive a greater share of the …
Quinoa Bacteria Research
Expanding the possibilities of quinoa. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Quinoa is increasingly popular as a high-protein, slightly nutty flavored grain-like seed that can be made into flour for bread and pasta, used in soups and cereal, eaten as a snack food, and fermented into alcoholic beverages like beer. Colorado and Nevada currently lead U.S production of quinoa, but …
New Actions to Help Farmers
During a visit to an Illinois farm Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced some new actions to help U.S. farmers in the wake of the Russia/Ukraine war. One of those measures includes double cropping and increasing the number of counties eligible for double cropping insurance. And earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $250 million would be made available through a …
USDA Report Indicates Advancing Conservation Trends
We told you back in March that a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report showed the use of no-till, crop rotations, more efficient irrigation methods and advanced technologies have climbed in recent years. The report is from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and it shows how progress was made through voluntary conservation over a 10-year period. The report was developed by USDA’s Conservation …
Deadline Nearing to Apply for EQIP Urban Agricultural Initiative in Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind Florida urban agricultural producers the deadline to apply for Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) projects under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is May 13th. This program offers producers technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns on their land. Approximately $500,000 in funding will be available to Florida participants through a …
USDA Accepting New or Modified Proposals for Its State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Program
(USDA/WASHINGTON/April 18, 2022) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is welcoming new and modified proposals from conservation partners for the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative, a part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) focused on effectively managing wildlife habitat. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has expanded available practices under this initiative in response to feedback from partners. “We …
Florida Legislation Wrap Up from FFAA
Florida state lawmakers wrapped up the 2022 legislative session earlier this month and voted on several bills related to agriculture. Among them is the Nutrient Application Rates Bill, which the Florida Fertilizer & Agrichemical Association (FFAA) says provides citrus growers a pathway to use site-specific nutrient application rates developed by a Certified Crop Advisor with a 4R Nutrient Management Specialty …
Seeking Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award Nominations
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has opened the nomination period for the 2022 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. Nominations must be submitted to FDACS by April 15, 2022. Get the nomination form here. “Through work in soil and conservation, pesticide and nutrient management, wildlife habitat conservation, and so much more … significant environmental contributions are the backbone of Florida’s thriving agriculture …