WHIP Signup Ends Friday

Dan Economy

Efforts continue to help Southeast producers affected by Hurricane Michael. But at the same time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to remind producers affected by hurricanes and wildfires last year, signup for assistance through the 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program ends this Friday, Nov. 16. Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce says producers need to sign up now if …

USDA Forest Service Announces New Strategy for Improving Forest Conditions

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) announced a new strategy for managing catastrophic wildfires and the impacts of invasive species, drought, and insect and disease epidemics. Specifically, a new report titled Toward Shared Stewardship across Landscapes: An Outcome-based investment Strategy (PDF, 3.7 MB) outlines the USFS’s plans to work more closely with states to identify landscape-scale priorities for targeted treatments in …

Agri View: High Cost of Wildfires

Dan Agri View

Everett Griner talks about the high cost of wildfires in today’s Agri View. High Cost of Wildfires There is no such thing as putting an end to wildfires. Unlike hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes, wildfires generally hit farmers and foresters harder than it does urban dwellers. Look at what occured in Oklahoma back in April. It cost cattle ranchers over 26 …

USDA Investing Millions in Wildfire Mitigation and Water Quality Projects Through Joint Chiefs’ Partnership

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release, Water

Projects will restore healthy forests on private and public lands in 24 states The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest nearly $32 million this year to mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality and restore healthy forest ecosystems in 24 states and Puerto Rico. Since 2014, USDA has invested $176 million in 56 Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership Projects, which …

Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture Reflects on Year of Progress

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, highlighted some of the agency’s accomplishments during 2017 to improve the productivity, uses, and sustainability of national forests and grasslands. “Our accomplishments this year demonstrate the Forest Service’s strong commitment to improving the economic health of rural communities; ensuring lands and watersheds are sustainable, healthy and productive; and mitigating …

Secretaries Perdue and Zinke Stress Inter-Departmental Collaboration as Wildfire Season Approaches

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan K. Zinke joined forces in Boise, Idaho at the National Incident Fire Command Center (NIFC) for a tour and briefing on the upcoming wildfire season. Following the events, the secretaries sent a memorandum to wildland fire leadership highlighting the importance of inter-departmental collaboration in protecting communities and managing public lands. In the …

USDA Offers Help to Fire-Affected Farmers and Ranchers in Florida

Dan Florida, Industry News Release

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director, Debby Folsom, reminds farmers and ranchers affected by the recent wildfires that disaster assistance programs are available to support their recovery efforts. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) can assist farmers and ranchers who lost eligible crops and honeybees as a result of a natural disaster. FSA …

Scott Declares Wildfire Emergency

Dan Forestry, Industry News Release

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida More than 100 wildfires were burning across Florida as the week began, with 23 consuming more than 100 acres. And the state has yet to get into the lightning-filled warmer months. On Tuesday, the Cabinet kicked-off a pre-planned “wildfire awareness week” with Gov. Rick Scott issuing an executive order that declared a …