The Conservation Technology Information Center has extended the early-bird registration deadline for the upcoming Everglades Conservation in Action Tour with discounts available now until September 12. The tour will take place October 14-15 and provide an in-depth look at the unique story of the approximately 700,000-acre Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), which is located south of Lake Okeechobee in Florida. Lettuce, …
Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy
This is the first of a four part series on Nutrient Management sponsored by FS/GROWMARK In March of 2013, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency hosted a meeting of stakeholders to announce the beginning of a statewide Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Marcia Willhite, chief of the Illinois EPA Bureau of Water, says the first step in implementing this strategy was to get …
CTIC Tour to the Everglades
If you ever wanted to see the Florida Everglades up close and personal, here is your chance! Lettuce, sugar cane and owls will be just a few of the crops and creatures seen on this year’s Conservation in Action Tour, hosted by the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC). Early-bird registration is now open for CTIC’s seventh annual tour, which showcases …
McCarthy’s Comments on WOTUS in Missouri
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy addressed the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City yesterday. Her goal was to defend and explain the Administration’s proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). In a media call on Wednesday before her trip concerns were expressed from those in attendance. During her speech yesterday, she …
Advocates at World Conservation Congress for Ag
During the upcoming World Conservation Congress for Agriculture you will hear from outspoken advocates for conservation agriculture from around the globe. The event will take place June 22-25 in Winnipeg, Manitoba and it’s the first time being held in North America. DAY 1 – David Montgomery, author of Dirt, sees no-till farming as “the hope for a new agricultural revolution …
ASTA First Vice Chair from Oregon
We’ve talked with American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) first vice chair Risa DeMasi a couple of times before – a year ago when she was elected as the first woman officer of ASTA and again in December at the Seed Expo when we learned more about her company Grassland Oregon, which is very involved in the development of new cover …
“New Era in Conservation” Launch
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) this week launched “a new era in American conservation efforts with an historic focus on public-private partnership.” Vilsack and Stabenow announced the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) Tuesday during a visit to the Saginaw Bay watershed of the Great Lakes agricultural region. “This is an entirely new approach …
BASF Celebrates Corn and Soybean Farmers
BASF Crop Protection helped corn and soybean growers celebrate the achievements of the past year as sponsors of the big association banquets during the Commodity Classic last week. At the National Corn Growers Association banquet, BASF Manager for Plant Health and Seed Treatment Dr. Gary Fellows talked about how corn growers are living Howard Buffett’s “40 Chances” challenge to make …
Soil Health Partnership Update at Classic
Since the health of a farm depends largely on healthy soil, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), with support from the Walton Family Foundation and Monsanto, recently announced the formation a new Science Advisory Council and the Soil Health Partnership (SHP). During a press conference at the Commodity Classic, members of the partnership discussed plans to help farmers enhance soil …
Cover Crop Seed Growth
With cover crops becoming increasingly important for farmers to provide nutrients and protect against erosion, different varieties are being developed to address specific needs. At the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) CSS & Seed Expo in Chicago, I learned more about that from Risa DeMasi with Grassland Oregon, who is second vice chairman of ASTA. “Our company is very involved …