Cathy Isom lets you know why you’ll want to lace up those hiking shoes and plot an outdoor adventure today. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Today you really can go tell someone to go Take a Hike, because it’s “National Take a Hike Day.” which is observed annually on November 17th. With over 60,000 miles of trails across the …
Farm Bureau Seeks End to Organic Livestock Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is seeking full withdrawal of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule, now delayed until January. AFBF President Zippy Duvall this week in a statement said the rule “has been about pushing an agenda rather than advancing food safety or animal welfare.” Duvall said the rule would force organic farmers and ranchers out of …
USDA Designates 83 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 83 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Crisp Lee Stewart Atkinson Decatur Liberty Sumter Bacon Dodge Long Tattnall Baker Dooly Lowndes Taylor Ben Hill Echols McIntosh Telfair Berrien …
Farm Bureau Seeks Full Withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau thanks Secretary Perdue for delaying the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. The health and well-being of livestock is a top priority for all farmers and ranchers. We work with a host of specialists, from animal scientists to nutritionists, to manage our farms …
Josie Tomkow Hopes to Replace Rep. Combee in Florida House
Rep. Neal Combee announced last week that he will be giving up his seat in the Florida House of Representatives after taking a job with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Now, Polk City native Josie Tomkow is hoping to take over Combee’s seat as a State Representative for District 39. Tomkow is an active member of the Florida Farm Bureau …
South Florida Dairy Owners Respond to Animal Abuse Allegations
Owners and operators of Larson Dairy in Okeechobee, Florida are responding to allegations of animal abuse at their dairy farm, which has gotten a vast amount of media attention in recent days. The allegations were made by a Miami-based animal rights organization, which is known to send people to farms as “undercover employees” for the sole purpose of doing stories …
Solar Energy from Abandoned Groves or Cattle Ranch Property
By Tacy Callies Some growers have found their abandoned citrus groves “make the perfect property” for solar energy developments, says Michael Minton of Dean Mead law firm. Minton summarizes a presentation he made about solar energy opportunities for agriculturists at the recent Florida Agriculture Financial Management Conference, held in the Orlando area. “We have found the various utilities we’ve worked …
Secretary Perdue Launches Veteran Resources at USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the launch of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. The resources include a new website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans. “From the beginning …
USDA Invests in Integrated Pest Management for Increased Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced grants to bring safer, more effective pest management approaches to farms and communities. “Insects, weeds, and diseases are ever-evolving challenges for U.S. agriculture,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA is making investments to develop sound scientific approaches to increase production and provide continued food security …
Senate Panel Backs $100 Million for Florida Forever
A measure that would double the amount Gov. Rick Scott wants to spend on the state’s most-prominent land preservation program was easily approved Monday during its first Senate committee. And bill sponsor Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican elevated earlier in the day to chair the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, said the state isn’t doing enough for land conservation. The …