Southern Region NUEL will again host quarterly Zoom meetings during 2022-23. In addition to communicating the latest NUEL information and updates, these virtual meetings are opportunities for professional development and theme-based program sharing. The dates and themes for 2022-23 are listed below. All times are 1-2:30 p.m. eastern time. August 12, 2022 – Strengthening Communities https://uky.zoom.us/j/84227939510 November 11, 2022 – Protecting the Environment...

From the most recent NACo County News! How many of your cities have some sort of urban 'livestock' ordancies? I know Settle allows chickens and miniature goats! Urban poultry raising is increasingly popular, but county officials find that a “not-in-your-backyard” attitude often applies. It took years for Charlotte County, Fla., to pass an ordinance allowing backyard chickens, said Shaun Cullinan, the county’s planning and zoning and code enforcement official. “I’ve been with the county for...

Some new research coming out of King County, WA (Seattle) around using reclaimed water for crop irrigation versus river water for peri-urban farms. "Fresh water availability is a growing concern as snowpack storage and rainfall decrease during our dry summer months. Access to a stable water source is important for farmers who rely on river water during the summer months to irrigate their crops. Yet this use, impacts the habitat of the aquatic life that rely on the river streamflow to survive...