The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) will be holding it's Annual International Meeting in Orlando, Florida this year. The dates are July 17 - 20th at Disney's Coronada Springs Resort!

The USDA began enrollment in the 49th annual Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in December. The Program financially assists agricultural producers with the cost of restoring, enhancing, and protecting certain grasses, shrubs, and trees to improve water quality, prevent soil erosion, and reduce the loss of wildlife habitat.

The shutdown of the federal government delayed some of the $907 million in payments from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) participants who have enrolled millions of acres of land to improve the overall conservation performance of their operations.

The USDA/NRCS plans to invest $25 million to help agricultural producers improve water quality in 187 high-priority streams and rivers across the country and three of these are in Florida! The Deep Creek, Clarks Creek, and Little Scurlock Creek Watersheds. These watersheds are located within Putnam, St. Johns, Jackson, and Washington counties.

Surprise! Agriculture spawns more development in technology than one would probably think. Increasing regulatory involvement, advancement in technological capabilities, and the rising food demand are all making it necessary for farmers and ranchers to find better and more efficient methods of production.

Water levels across South Florida are at or near their target levels for this time of year, although heavy rainfall in early October caused localized flooding along both coasts. The Everglades Water Conservation Areas 2 and 3 and Lake Okeechobee remain high following an above-average start to the wet season.