State and Federal Agencies Work Together to Prevent Introduction of Destructive Snail

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined together in a cooperative effort to prevent giant African snails (GAS) from making their way into Florida and are asking the public for help.

Giant African snails are considered a serious plant pest and potential threat to public health because of their ability to destroy plants, damage ornamental plants and spread disease.  Giant African snails are illegal to import into the United States without a permit, and currently no permits have been issued.

Because of vigilant federal and state inspections and public education efforts, Florida has been successful in keeping these dangerous mollusks from becoming established again in Florida.  Once established, this pest can create a giant swath of destruction and an alert public can prevent that from happening.

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Tags: Environment, equestrian community, FDACS, United States Department of Agriculture, USDA

Prescribed Fires Help Protect Natural Areas

TALLAHASSEE — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson this week is promoting the awareness of prescribed fire’s vital role in maintaining the health of Florida’s forests and other natural areas, as well as protecting the safety of the state’s residents and visitors.

The Florida Cabinet in 2008 designated the first week in March as “Prescribed Fire Awareness Week.”

“Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk,” Bronson said. “Many of our plant and animal communities are dependent on a regular occurrence of fire for a healthy existence.  Prescribed fire provides better forage for wildlife and livestock, returns nutrients to the soil, helps to control certain plant diseases, and reduces hazardous fuel buildups.”

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Tags: Charles H. Bronson, Controlled burn, Environment, FDACS, Prescribed Fires, United States Forest Service

Bronson Announces Completion of Marion Cty. Plant That Converts Animal Waste to Energy

OCALA — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson today announced the completion of an innovative bioenergy project that helps manage animal waste while at the same time producing energy and agriculture products.

Bronson joined a host of public officials and industry representatives at the demonstration of a bio-energy plant owned by Sigarca, Inc., and located at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Marion County.  The facility processes horse manure into renewable energy, organic soil and soil tonic (bio-fertilizers) and gives Florida’s substantial equine industry an environmentally superior method of disposing of animal waste.

“Florida has more than half a million horses, and waste disposal is an increasingly difficult and costly endeavor,” Bronson said.  “In addition to providing a safe and effective waste disposal method, this technology can also move Florida further ahead in efforts to produce clean, renewable energy.” Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=10346

Tags: bio-energy plant, Farm to Fuel, FDACS, Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson, organic soil and bio-fertilizers, Southeastern Livestock Pavilion