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: NACD Applauds USDA Launch of Regenerative Pilot Program
12/11/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins yesterday announced the launch of a new Regenerative Pilot Program in collaboration with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, building upon HHS’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) strategy. Administered by the NRCS, the program enables producers to plan and implement whole-farm regenerative practices through a single application, streamlining access to conservation technical assistance and strengthening the USDA’s longstanding commitment to soil health and resilient working lands.
NACD Blog: Did You Know? NACD Advocacy
12/09/2025
Did you know that one of NACD’s core functions is to advocate for policies that support conservation districts and our partners at the national level? NACD maintains a policy book to inform all the legislative work NACD staff and board members carry out. Leadership uses the policy book to develop issue papers; committees and subcommittees reference it to guide their work; and policies are even used to prepare testimonies for Congress and letters to federal agencies and congressional representatives.
Farms.com: Rancher Preferences for Grassland Conservation in the Great Plains
By Md. Faizul Kabir and Elliott Dennis, et al
12/04/2025
Grasslands across the Great Plains are among the world’s most productive and ecologically valuable ecosystems. They support beef cattle production, provide habitat for wildlife, and store substantial soil carbon. Yet, these landscapes face growing pressure from cropland expansion and woody-plant encroachment.
Successful Farming: Row Crop Farmers Set for $11 Billion in Aid by February, USDA Says
By Mariah Squire
12/10/2025
President Donald Trump today announced $12 billion in farmer aid, including $11 billion for row crop farmers, to be released by the end of February 2026. The long-awaited announcement happened at a White House roundtable that included Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, among other politicians and farmers.
USDA: USDA Launches New Regenerative Pilot Program to Lower Farmer Production Costs and Advance MAHA Agenda
12/10/2025
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, alongside U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program to help American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.
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Denver Water: Taking the ‘wild’ out of wildfires
By Todd Hartmen | Colorado | Southwest Region
10/31/2025
All told, Denver Water and its primary partners, including the U.S. Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, have reduced wildfire risk across more than 120,000 acres over the last 15 years, the bulk of that within the South Platte Basin. Local organizations involved in the South Platte Basin work include Jefferson County Open Space, Jefferson Conservation District, Conifer Wildland Fire Division, Platte Canyon Fire Protection District and local nonprofits.
Ag Daily: New ‘game-changing’ tool boosts soil health for New York farmers
By Caitlin Tucker | New York | Northeast Region
12/03/2025
Thirty minutes southwest of Rochester, NY, Oatka Creek winds through fertile farmland before joining the Genesee River. Nestled within its valley in LeRoy, Ben Pfeffer and Carolyn Fitzgerald tend 20 acres of historic farmland that has been in Carolyn’s family for eight generations. Oatka Creek Farm specializes in high-quality seasonal vegetables grown with organic methods. Their produce reaches the community through a 75-member CSA program, the LeRoy Farmers Market, and on-farm sales.
River Reporter: Growing something special
By Annemarie Schuetz | Wayne County, PA | Northeast Region
12/05/2025
TREE is also “a collaborative project that partners the WCAA, the Wayne County Conservation District and Wayne County’s public schools, “signifying the interweaving and natural connection between the art, environmental and educational communities in northeastern PA and beyond,” Pollak said.
Country Messenger: Beaver Love: A new initiative aims to help beavers and people co-exist in harmony
By Angie Hong | Scandia, MN | North Central Region
12/05/2025
With the exclusion fences in place near Big Marine, Carnelian-Marine-St. Croix Watershed District and the Washington Conservation District have been able to reduce the amount of staff time spent clearing away wood and debris each month to maintain flood-control infrastructure. The project is saving money, reducing staff work-load, and allowing beavers to continue living their happy little beaver lives.
North Texas E-News: Preserving the land: The wetland reserve easement at Red River Ranch
Texas | South Central Region
12/06/2025
Right in the heart of Texas, Red River Ranch reflects the dedication and passion of Morris Morgan, a retired military veteran who transformed his love for the land into a thriving ranching operation. All this, while still keeping conservation and preservation at the forefront. With the support of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Morgan has implemented conservation practices that have rejuvenated the ranch, promoting sustainable agriculture and wildlife preservation.
Working Lands for Wildlife: Grit, Grass and Gated Pipe Help A Wyoming Ranch Thrive
By Alyssa Ludeke | Hot Springs, WY | Southwest Region
12/08/2025
Colter McCumber is a generational rancher and steward of his land in Hot Springs County, Wyoming. His roots run deep in the Big Horn Basin, where his father still tends to the original family homestead raising alfalfa hay. McCumber and his brother operate a well-drilling company by day, but his heart has long been set on a different dream — to own and operate a cattle ranch. When an opportunity arose to purchase a ranch, McCumber and his wife, Linda, seized it.