A unanimous Supreme Court ruling was handed down yesterday. The law of the land says landowners may challenge the federal government and the Army Corps of Engineers over improper regulations designed to protect water. Landowners have attempted many times to challenge Corps rulings known as jurisdictional determinations, but the government successfully argued that those determinations were not “final agency actions” …
Crowd Gathers for Thirsty Land Debut at #Water4Food
As a hush came over the theater last night and the lights went down for the opening scene of the documentary Thirsty Land, the sound of rain pounding on the roof served as background noise. A bit ironic. Especially in light of meeting a community in California that has run out of water. Thirsty Land, directed and produced by Conrad …
McCornick Named Water for Food Executive Director
The Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska has announced a new executive director. Peter G. McCornick, an expert recognized internationally for his research in water, food, and the environment, will be taking the reins for the institute on September 1. Currently McCornick is serving as the deputy director general for the International Water Management …
Thirsty Land Needs Support for Debut
These days you can find Conrad Weaver hunkered down in his editing room, frantically putting the final touches on a project a long time in the making. His documentary, Thirsty Land, is scheduled to debut at the Water for Food global conference on April 24th. Its impact is sure to reach across the nation. The project tells the story of the importance …
UNL and AgIsAmerica Host Twitter Town Hall
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (UNL-IANR) and Agriculture is America (AgIsAmerica) are partnering together to host a Twitter Town Hall on Friday, March 4th from 2 pm – 3 pm ET/ 1pm – 2pm CT. Scientists, researchers, and Extension educators will answer questions regarding UNL-IANR’s role in the advancement of agricultural science and agricultural technological innovation. …
Remote Irrigation Monitoring Saves Time
Tanner Oliphant, with AgSense, shared the latest with AgWired while at the National Farm Machinery Show last week. AgSense is a web-based service that gives growers access to their pivot and irrigation information through their smartphone or computer. AgSense released a new product this year that integrates specifically with Valley digital panels. Remote monitoring allows customers to see where a …
WOTUS Strikes Back
Farmers and ranchers will need the force to be with them as the EPA has struck back with an even more extreme version of the Waters of the U.S. Rule. Known as the Chesapeake Blueprint, the new rules will severely regulate and burden farms, possibly removing thousands of acres from production agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Federation is once again …
Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan
Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando. “We will continue …
USDA Pledges $9M Towards Wetlands
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
What Now for WOTUS?
As expected, President Obama yesterday vetoed a disapproval resolution passed by Congress that would have nullified the controversial clean water rule by EPA, better known as Waters of the U.S. or WOTUS. “Because this resolution seeks to block the progress represented by this rule and deny businesses and communities the regulatory certainty and clarity needed to invest in projects that …