| 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 with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
NACD Blog: RCD No-Cost Chipping Program Gaining in Popularity 08/23/21
The Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Santa Cruz County got a jump start on a key piece of its forest health programs just a year after the worst fire on record in the county.
Agri-Pulse: Climate-friendly ag practices need $30 billion, Democrats told More than 60 groups are urging Democratic congressional leaders to prioritize climate-friendly agriculture, food systems and equity in their $3.5 trillion domestic spending package. About $89 billion in the budget reconciliation measure will be designated for agriculture and forestry in the package, and groups want to see $30 billion of that allocated to conservation programs. The 2018 farm bill provided about $60 billion for conservation programs over 10 years. Those farm bill programs include the Conservation Stewardship Program, Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Reserve Program.
Grand Forks Herald: Drought impacts, and USDA response, vary with geography and different types of farms By Noah Fish
While parts of northern Minnesota entered exceptional drought conditions for the first time ever under the modern U.S. Drought Monitor, the southeastern part of the state also has struggled with drought conditions, albeit less severe ones. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Aug. 12-13 visited several southeastern Minnesota agriculture operations to talk about drought and support for producers.
Forbes: Regenerative Agriculture: The Next Trend In Food Retailing
(Opinion) At its most basic level, regenerative agriculture is a more nature-friendly way of farming. It can be thought of as the next step beyond organic and sustainability.
Seattle Times: It’s time to start planning for fall cover crops By Kim Pokorny 08/24/21
If you’re not acquainted with cover crops, here’s the rundown: These hardworking plants can add organic matter and aerate the soil, protect it from compaction caused by rain, suppress weeds and reduce erosion.
South Dakota Soil Health Coalition: Residue helps farmers save on water, fertilizer costs
South Dakota farmers see a range of benefits from crop residue – corn stalks, soybean stems and wheat straw left after harvest – especially in a dry season.
Agri-Pulse: Farmers, ranchers back Trump ‘waters’ rule at online meeting
(Subscriber Only) Representatives of state farm bureaus, as well as individual farmers and ranchers, spoke out in favor of keeping the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule in place at an online meeting.
Agri-Pulse: USDA OKs 2.8M acres for Conservation Reserve Program, short of Biden goal
(Subscriber Only) The Agriculture Department is accepting 2.8 million acres into the land-idling Conservation Reserve Program, an enrollment far short of the four million acres the Biden administration was aiming for as part of its effort to use farmers to help reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
USA Today: Wildfires are burning up trees meant to fight climate change: ‘It’s definitely not working’
Some of the blazes are raging in areas that are “a huge part of California’s climate initiative,” Porter said. “We are seeing generational destruction of forests because of what these fires are doing. This is going to take a long time to come back from.”
WXPR: New Aquatic Invasive Species Found in Wisconsin for the First Time By Katie Thoresen 08/23/21
A new-to-Wisconsin aquatic invasive species is motivating conservation workers to move quickly. European Frogbit has been found along a 20-plus mile stretch on the coast of Lake Michigan starting just north of Oconto all the way up to Marinette.
NatGeo: Wildfire smoke is transforming clouds, making rainfall less likely
A new study finds smoke could be making it harder for clouds to drop rain and alleviate drought, potentially kicking of a “very scary” feedback loop.
Vegetable Growers News: California farmers hit by wildfires and drought can get disaster aid 08/25/21
California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the wildfires and ongoing, severe drought. The USDA has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages.
Reuters: Stung by climate change: drought-weakened bee colonies shrink U.S. honey crop, threaten almonds NPR: Agriculture Officials Really Want Those Spotted Lanternflies Gone, Gone, Gone By Jonathan Franklin 08/24/21
The flies are known to cause some serious damage to trees, including oozing sap, wilting and leaf curling. In more serious cases, they can cause trees, vines, crops and many other types of plants to die.
Aces News: Study proposes new ways to estimate climate change impacts on agriculture
Dall’Erba and Chang Cai, doctoral student in ACE and the paper’s lead author, take stock of all the academic literature that estimates the impact of climate change on U.S. farmland values and revenues, focusing on every U.S. county.
Delaware.gov: Sen. Carper, Gov. Carney, Conservation Groups Hail Christina River Project and Delaware Watershed Conservation Fund
They celebrated another important step in the ongoing work to improve Wilmington’s riverfront area with clean, healthy rivers and attractive places for people and wildlife.
New York Times: ‘The worst thing I can ever remember’: How drought is crushing ranchers By Henry Fountain 08/25/21
A lack of snow last winter and almost no spring rain have created the driest conditions in generations. Ranchers are being forced to sell off portions of herds they have built up for years, often at fire-sale prices, to stay in business.
The Fort Morgan Times: Greater prairie chickens in Colorado — a species profile
“Greater prairie chickens are doing well in Colorado, Nebraska, part of Kansas and parts of South Dakota,” said Trent Verquer, Grassland Habitat Coordinator for CPW. “Elsewhere in their range they are not doing well and Colorado has a real role for this species.”
CBS News: Biden administration backs end to gray wolf hunting protections, despite concerns from activists Last year, the Trump administration announced that the gray wolf would be removed from the list of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. The Biden administration is now moving to uphold that decision, according to court documents filed Friday, despite concern from conservationists that it could jeopardize the recovery of the species.
Politico: Broadband gaps roadblock Biden’s plan to enlist farmers in climate change fight
(Subscriber Only) Farmers and ranchers can be pivotal players in President Joe Biden’s fight against climate change as the agricultural carbon credit marketplace grows. But the lack of broadband internet connection prevents them from entering the marketplace sooner, if not all together.
Morning Ag Clips: USDA funds available to establish pollinator habitat on your land If you are a landowner, farmer, homesteader, beekeeper, or if you have interest in agricultural or forestry operations on your land, you may qualify for a special program to help cover some of the costs of a conservation or pollinator planting.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: NFWF Announces $5.3 Million in Grants to Restore and Improve Longleaf Pine Habitat and Wildlife, Marking Decade of Partnership Investment in Ecosystem Recovery The projects supported by the grants announced today will advance longleaf pine habitat restoration across its historic range, which covers portions of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. Together, these grants are expected to establish more than 15,000 new acres of longleaf pine and will enhance an additional 400,000 acres of habitat through prescribed burning, invasive species removal and other forest management practices.
Agri-Pulse: Water trading platform offers open-source option for managers, users A new water trading and accounting platform aimed at easily matching those who need water with those who have it would also give Groundwater Sustainability Agencies near real-time data for maintaining accurate water accounting and that, in turn, would help them comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. Need to update your contact information, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences? Click here to manage your profile. |