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.
NACD Blog: Muskingum SWCD Builds Community Interest in Beekeeping with Friends of NACD Grant
04/15/2025
Since its inception in 2017, Urban Greens, a program of Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), has experienced significant growth. However, their mission has remained the same; growing food, growing community, growing with purpose. This mission also remains at the forefront of their work. During the past two growing season Urban Greens partnered with local food pantries to bring over 32,000 pounds of fresh produce to the community.
Successful Farming: Are Nutrient Management Plans Working? Here’s What the Latest Water Quality Data Shows
By Adrienne Held
03/26/2025
Most of the land in Midwestern states is used for agriculture, and agriculture is the primary non-point source for nutrients entering streams, Helmers explained. “It’s not necessarily from mismanagement of those nutrients,” he said. “If we get rainfall at the wrong times, we see water leave our fields, and nutrients with it. Our corn and soybean cropping is a leaky system, and we have to implement practices to reduce those leaks.”
The Guardian: Farmers face one of the highest rates of suicide. This social worker believes the solution is buried in their land
By Dean Kuipers
04/10/2025
She wanted to explore an emerging idea in psychology that farmer stress is deeply intertwined with the land. But, as a therapist, she needed a tool that could make this connection clear to farmers themselves. And then she saw it, right here on the wall of her childhood home: an aerial photograph of her own family’s farm – the house, the old barn, the windbreak of red cedar trees and these same fields in summer green.
Progressive Farmer: USDA Reboots Biden-Era Climate Program
By Chris Clayton
04/14/2025
USDA on Monday announced the department is repackaging the $3.1 billion Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities program with the 135 or so conservation programs continuing under a new name if grant recipients ensure the bulk of their funds flow to farmers.
USDA: USDA Announces New Presidential Appointments
04/14/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments, bringing new leadership to key roles within the Department. These appointees have been selected to implement President Trump’s America First agenda at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.
Progressive Farmer: Federal Agencies Must Release IRA Funds
By Chris Clayton
04/16/2025
Jeremy Peters, CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, said in response to DTN, “NACD remains supportive of the release of IRA conservation funding to continue to provide much-needed financial and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers. In these difficult economic times, conservation assistance to farmers is more important than ever to help farmers become as efficient and resilient as possible.”
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Farm Progress: Improving soil health not just feel-good endeavor
By Allison Lynch | Indiana | North Central Region
04/01/2025
Implementing conservation practices has become a pathway for some folks to make extra income through a government program or to join a carbon program with additionality. For others, watching the effects of conservation unfold after decades of work is worth more than any incentives a program could offer.
Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education: On-Farm Research Advances Cost-Effective Weed Management Practice on Guam
Guam | Pacific Region
04/11/2025
Glenn Takai of Takai Farm used a Western SARE Farmer/Rancher grant to research the efficacy of using waste cardboard and chipped branches as sheet mulch and found the practice significantly reduced weed propagation and growth. The approach also nearly doubled pepper yields on their test plots, prevented weeds from competing with crops for nutrients, and improved soil organic matter and quality.
Texas Farm Bureau: Legislation would make feral swine program permanent
By Jessica Domel | Texas | South Central Region
04/04/2025
To help farmers, ranchers and landowners better combat feral hogs and the damage they cause, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and several colleagues recently introduced a piece of legislation that would make the feral swine eradication program permanent.
Empire Press: Foster Creek Conservation District enhances watershed health in Douglas County
By Shannon Curran | Douglas County, WA | Pacific Region
04/14/2025
The Foster Creek Conservation District has implemented various best management practices (BMPs) to enhance the overall health of the Foster Watershed. One such practice is the use of beaver dam analogues (BDAs), which are human-made structures designed to mimic natural beaver dams. These structures slow water flow, reduce stream channel incision and encourage the growth of riparian vegetation.
KOSU: Oklahomans are remembering Black Sunday, 90 years later
By Anna Pope | Oklahoma | South Central Region
04/16/2025
Ninety years ago this week, Oklahomans were met with a large wall of rolling black dust and sand, a day now known as “Black Sunday.” Conservationists, farmers, lawmakers and historians gathered to remember the day, one of the worst dirt storms during the Dust Bowl, and the conservation ethic that followed.
Western Ag Reporter: Camp Sagebrush Fosters Unique, Enriching Experiences
By Heather Smith Thomas | Douglas County, WA | Pacific Region
04/17/2025
A unique, educational summer camp for kids was created a few years ago in Washington State. Camp Sagebrush is a one-of-a-kind experience for kids to learn more about their local shrub steppe ecosystem and fire mitigation. The camp was developed by the Foster Creek Conservation District and is now a three-day overnight camp to help youth understand their ecosystem and grasp how to take action to reduce wildfire risk.