Latest Agriculture and the environment News
46 countries agree to better protect environmental defenders
GENEVA (AP) — Nearly four dozen countries in Europe and central Asia have agreed to improve protections for environmental defenders who voice concerns on issues like the construction of dams, harmful agricultural policies, fallout from oil projects and illegal logging in forests, a U.N....
Farmer fined $304K over alleged water theft during drought
RICHLAND, Wash. (AP) — A farm in southeastern Washington has been fined $304,000 by the Washington state Department of Ecology for irrigating 250 acres (101 hectares) without rights to the water. Frank Tiegs LLC in Franklin County has 30 days to appeal the decision to...
Oregon kills 3 more wolves for attacking cattle
BAKER CITY, Ore. (AP) — Employees from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife shot and killed three more wolves from the Lookout Mountain pack on Wednesday, officials said. Two 6-month-olds and one yearling were shot from a helicopter in eastern Oregon, The Baker...
Final peak foliage conditions for Maine leaf peepers
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine leaf peepers have just a few more days to watch the state's annual fall foliage display. Almost all of the state is past peak conditions for fall colors, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry said Wednesday. The...
Editorial Roundup: Illinois
Chicago Tribune. October 18, 2021. Editorial: We have to rethink farm subsidies before they do more damage The autumn harvest is underway in Illinois, and it’s a juicy one despite the otherwise lousy year. Corn and soybeans...
Louisiana gators thrive, so farmers' return quota may drop
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Once-endangered alligators are thriving in the wild, so Louisiana authorities are proposing a deep cut in the percentage that farmers must return to marshes where their eggs were laid. “Over the past 50 years, alligator nest surveys have increased...
Prominent Indiana environmentalist leaving leadership post
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — One of Indiana’s most prominent environmental activists has decided to leave his leadership position. The Hoosier Environmental Council announced earlier this month that Jesse Kharbanda will be stepping down as its executive director after 14 years...
Maine land preservation program reactivated after 4 years
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A land preservation program in Maine will be used to provide money for conservation for the first time since 2017. The administration of Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said it is asking for proposals for conservation and recreation projects via the...
New law allows bass to be farm-raised, sold in markets
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — Coming soon to your neighborhood seafood market: farm-raised Florida largemouth bass. Thanks to a law passed this spring, bass will expand its popularity from a favorite fishing target to the seafood sales list in the Sunshine State. At face...
Feds agree to keep cattle out of northern Arizona rivers
PHOENIX (AP) — Federal land-management agencies have agreed to do more to keep cattle from grazing in sensitive habitat for threatened and endangered species in the Verde River watershed, settling a lawsuit filed by environmental groups. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife...
