| Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
Washington Policy Center: Bill proposes tax incentive for farmers Farmer and rancher participation in formal conservation plans may increase if a new legislative proposal passes. House Bill 1936 – relating to tax incentives for farmers – would implement a 25 percent reduction in taxes paid by farmers for certain inputs.
Agriculture Dive: Congress averts government shutdown, extends USDA funding to March Congress on Thursday passed legislation averting a partial government shutdown, funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies into March.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $207 million in renewable energy and domestic fertilizer projects to lower energy bills, generate new income, create jobs, and strengthen competition for U.S. farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers. Many of the projects are being funded by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the nation’s largest-ever investment in combating the climate crisis.
Financial Times: Will no-till farming put paid to the plough? Farmers are coming under pressure to plough less, for the sake of soil health and to reduce their climate impact. The emphasis is on minimizing disturbance of the surface, if possible, through “no-till” or “min-till” methods that drill or plant seeds directly, without aggressive tilling.
Agriculture Dive: Bio-fueling the future: How farms are shaping the renewable energy transition in 2024 To reduce carbon emissions and industrial practices on farmland, an increasing number of producers are finding ways to get the most out of their operations using sustainable methods that also carry revenue opportunities.
KSAT: Another hot, dry summer may push water supplies in parts of Texas to the brink Around Austin, a patchwork of authorities manages various aquifers and reservoirs. Last month, the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Groundwater Conservation District declared stage four drought restrictions for the first time in its 36-year history.
Capital Press: Washington NRCS clears backlog using Inflation Reduction Act funds The Washington state office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has used its portion of nearly $20 billion in the federal Inflation Reduction Act to clear its backlog, its director said.
WTOV9: Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District seeks Appalachian Grant funding The Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District applied via the Heart of Appalachian Ohio project for $110 million of that money to bring quality of life improvements and transformational change.
The Keene Sentinel: Conservation districts accepting applications for climate grants The 10 New Hampshire Conservation Districts are collecting applications for the 2024 round of the N.H. Conservation Districts’ Climate Resilience Grant. The grant aims to help local farmers in building climate resilience across the Granite State. |