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: Did You Know? NACD Staff are Available to Support Your Work
08/11/2025
Did you know that every NACD region is staffed by an NACD Region Representative who can connect you to NACD resources, help provide learning and networking opportunities, and ensure your state or territory’s priorities are heard and represented in NACD’s advocacy efforts? While all of NACD’s staff members are available to answer questions at any time, our seven NACD Region Representatives are a great first contact point in our organization.
USDA: ICYMI: Secretary Rollins Pens Washington Examiner Op-Ed on the Great American Farmers Market, Highlighting the Legacy and Future of U.S. Agriculture
08/08/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins published an opinion piece in the Washington Examiner highlighting the significance of the Great American Farmers Market as a national celebration of local products, American agriculture heritage, and the farmers, ranchers, and producers who feed and fuel our nation. In the piece, Secretary Rolins reflects on the self-sacrifice and patriotism of farming families, the importance of supporting local markets, and the role of agriculture in strengthening America’s economy, communities, and future generations.
Farms.com: Programs and Support for Small and Mid-Sized Farmers
08/11/2025
Small and midsize producers provide new opportunities for American agriculture across the country. This page provides small and midsize producers valuable resources and program information about access to capital, land management and conservation practices, managing risk, finding local markets, and other educational resources.
No-Till Farmer: How History Is Shaping the Future of No-Till Farming
By Mike Lessiter
08/12/2025
Today, Mike will share with us key elements of no-till history, plus a blueprint for the future, in critical success factors to sustain and grow conservation practices and the role of conservation districts in making successful conservation transitions and adaptation a reality. Please join me in welcoming my friend, Mike Lessiter.
Ag Web: USDA Shocks the Market With Its Eye-Popping Corn Yield: Is This The Highest Yield of the Season?
By Michelle Rook
08/02/2025
USDA shocked the market with the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimate (WASDE), in particular the record corn yield of 188.8 bu., which was well above trade guesses and nearly 10 bu. above last year.
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Texomax: Texas A&M Forest Service offers new online forestry course
By Emily Copeland | Texas | South Central Region
08/05/25
The Texas A&M Forest Service and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative have launched an online forestry education course. This course will provide access to forest and natural resource concepts to all formal and informal educators, academic administrators, natural resource personnel and others who engage in public outreach about forests across the United States and Canada.
Texas Department of Agriculture: Commissioner Sid Miller Launches Powerful Tool Against New World Screwworm
Austin, TX | South Central Region
08/08/2025
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) continues to lead the fight against the threat of the New World Screwworm (NWS) by developing a state-of-the-art attractant to be used in tracking screwworm fly movement and proactively eliminating them where they are located.
Farm Progress: Investing in conservation pays off for these farmers
Indiana | North Central Region
08/08/2025
This spring, when heavy rains rolled through parts of Indiana, I was grateful for the conservation practices on our farm. Our soil stayed right where it belonged. I work alongside my wife, Jennie, and parents, Abe and Shirley Hodgen, on our diversified grain and livestock operation in Roachdale. We raise corn, soybeans, wheat, commercial cattle and some 4-H animals.
Successful Farming: From Poor Fields to Top Yields: An Indiana Farmer’s Soil Transformation Journey
By Lisa Foust Prater | Indiana | North Central Region
08/09/2025
Roger Wenning shares how tiling, grid sampling, no till, cover crops, and nutrient management helped him transform multiple types of tough soils on his Indiana farm. The once erosion-prone hills and ‘crawdad ground’ have seen yields climb from 30 bushels below to 40 bushels over the county average.
The Providence Journal: Curbside compost pickups will launch soon in 2 RI communities. Here’s how it will work.
By Alex Kuffner | Providence, RI | Northeast Region
08/09/2025
If you live in Bristol or Barrington, you’ll soon have the chance to put your food scraps out for pickup as part of new programs created by the towns. The two East Bay communities are the first in the state to experiment with municipal curbside composting services. They’re partnering with the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District and a private composting company on a two-year pilot program that’s set to begin collections Sept. 18.