desantis

DeSantis Calls Reservoir ‘A Top Environmental Priority’

Dan Cooper Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee

(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis backed a controversial reservoir being built in the Everglades while announcing the state will use a pool of environmental money to help Miami-Dade County protect Biscayne Bay from continued degradation. DeSantis said his office will continue to support the $1.6 billion Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir, which was approved by the Legislature in 2017 but has …

desantis

Florida Preps for Algae Blooms from Lake Releases

Dan Cooper Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Water

(NSF) — Measures are in place to offset potential blue-green algae blooms after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started Wednesday to schedule water releases from lower Lake Okeechobee, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. A news release late Wednesday said the department and the South Florida Water Management District are prepared to use “innovative technology” if needed …

Dry Temperatures Not Bad Thing for Georgia Hemp Producers

Clint Thompson Environment, Georgia, Hemp, Top Posts, Weather

Hot and dry temperatures are not necessarily a bad thing for Georgia’s hemp producers, according to Tim Coolong, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension specialist. What the crop will not do well in is when the soil is wet. “Every single grower that I’ve met with is irrigating their hemp anyway. Actually, a little bit drier is probably fine, because if …

Clemson Extension Agents Provide Crop Updates

Clint Thompson Disease, Environment, Fruit, Hemp, Produce, South Carolina, Top Posts, Vegetables

Clemson Extension agents provided updates in The South Carolina Grower this week about the status of various crops being produced throughout the state. Statewide Dr. Matt Cutulle reports, “It is always good to control goosegrass even if it is past the critical period for competition with the crop. Lack of late-season control made hand-harvesting tomatoes difficult. Also, there will be …

Florida: Funding and policy progress

Ashley Robinson Agri-business, Environment, Florida, Legislative, Top Posts, VSCNews magazine, Water

By Adam Basford On March 19, the Florida Legislature wrapped up the 2020 legislative session after a six-day extension caused by a delay in budget negotiations. Clearly, the COVID-19 outbreak has created significant uncertainty about Florida’s economy and there may be a need for the Legislature to meet again to revise the budget based on updated revenue forecasts. However, for …

Challenging Season for South Georgia Agriculture

Clint Thompson Environment, Fruit, Georgia, Produce, Top Posts, Vegetables, Weather

By Ashley Robinson South Georgia farmers have been on edge as weather and impacts from the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) have taken a toll on their crops. “2020 has been a tough year overall for our growers,” says Andre da Silva, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension vegetable specialist. COVID-19 Impacts South Georgia farmers have had their fair share of difficulties …

What if Someone Has COVID-19 on the Farm?

Clint Thompson Disease, Environment, North Carolina, Top Posts

Article written by Mark Hoffmann (mark.hoffmann@ncsu.edu) and Chip Simmons (odsimmon@ncsu.edu); NC State University The following describes actions a grower should take if there is a positive COVID-19 case is on the farm: Preparation and Prevention: Have an emergency plan for how you will (1) care and (2) isolate COVID-19 infected workers. Identify the nearest healthcare facility that provides free or …

High Rainfall Probabilities Look Promising for Florida Agriculture

Clint Thompson Drought, Environment, Florida, Irrigation, Top Posts, Water, Weather

By Ashley Robinson There may be light at the end of a dark and dry tunnel for Florida farmers with increased chances of rainfall over the upcoming week. According to Gary England, RSA/Director for the Hastings Ag Extension Center in Hastings, Florida, the same weather system currently ushering severe weather into the Southeast will elevate rainfall chances in the Hastings …