Conservation Clip List for Friday March 18th, 2022

NACD Blog: Friends of NACD District Grant Helps Duval SWCD Support New Farmers Through a Start Farming Mentorship Program

03/16/22

In 2021, the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) introduced the Start Farming Mentorship Program to support new farmers by providing tours of local farm operations and onsite workshops about sustainable practices, including water conservation, composting, and permaculture.

High Plains Journal: NACD applauds increased conservation investments in omnibus
03/14/22

The fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations package, which includes considerable increases to conservation investment, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The National Association of Conservation Districts applauds both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as President Biden, for recognizing the importance of conservation and environmental protection programs and is pleased to see the package includes increased funding for these crucial programs.

The Bradford Era: McKean County Conservation District awarded mini-grants
Bradford, PA | Northeast Region
03/12/22

The McKean County Conservation District received $3,500 for education and outreach events to provide participants hands-on knowledge of those practices implemented to improve water quality in their watershed and to prevent nonpoint source pollution.

KTLO: BC Conservation District running water quality program
Mountain Home, AR | South Central
03/13/22

The Baxter County Conservation District is running the Bull Shoals White River 319 Water Quality Program.

Times Observer: Conservation District seeks art show submissions
Warren, PA | Northeast Region
03/09/22

The Warren County Conservation District is looking for submissions to an art contest – Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.

Midland Daily News: NRCS works with conservation district to give farmers clean soil

By Connor Veenstra | Midland, MI | North Central Region
03/15/22

Part of Huron County Conservation District’s success was due in part to Jeannette Renn, the conservation district’s previous director. Through her efforts, the district received unprecedented funding for its programs and projects, in tandem with the NRCS.

KTVH: Environmental rehabilitation grants available to those affected by Woods Creek and Deep Creek Canyon Fires
By Tom Buchanan | Helena, MT | Northern Plains Region 
03/14/22

The Broadwater Conservation District with the help of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has put together a grant for environmental rehabilitation for those whose property was affected by either the Woods Creek or Deep Creek Canyon Fires.

Faribault Daily News: SWCD State Aid: Ask our legislators to support this important funding
By Steve Pahs | Faribault, MN | North Central Region
03/10/22

(Opinion) The Rice Soil and Water Conservation District provides conservation information, support, and program management for landowners and other local units of government. We are the technical experts and “boots on the ground” who understand our community’s needs and help landowners navigate conservation programs from start to finish.

Bedford Gazette: Students collected nearly 5,000 items for program 
Bedford, PA | Northeast Region
03/08/22

The Bedford High School Envirothon Club members recently completed their 2022 community service event by collecting nearly 5,000 food items for the Weekend Backpack program.

Agri-Pulse: Washington Week Ahead: Omnibus done, Congress to-do list includes shipping reform
By Garrett Downs and Philip Brasher | Washington, DC 
03/13/22

(Subscriber Only) With the government finally funded for fiscal 2022, lawmakers can turn their attention to other policy issues and begin work on funding legislation for FY23.

USDA-FSA: USDA to Extend Application Deadlines for Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Funding Opportunity
03/11/22

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadlines to apply for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity after requests from many stakeholders.

USDA: USDA Now Accepting Applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program, Providing Up To $200 Million to Purchase Local Food for Schools
Washington, DC 
03/17/22

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is accepting applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which will provide up to $200 million for states to purchase local food for school meal programs.

WINK: A community farm in Dunbar is helping educate local children outside the classroom 
By Matthew Seaver | Fort Myers, FL | Southeast Region
03/14/22

A Southwest Florida farm is helping kids who lack resources outside of school learn about the environment. The Urban Community Farm in Dunbar strives to keep kids learning during the hours they aren’t in the classroom.

Agri-Pulse: Climate change hearing focuses on what farmers need

By Steve Davies | Washington, DC 
03/16/22

(Subscriber Only) More technical assistance and streamlined application processes for conservation programs would help farmers adopt practices to reduce greenhouse gases, lawmakers were told at a hearing on how the next farm bill should address climate change.

Southeast AgNet: USDA NRCS in Florida Accepting Applications for EQIP Urban Agricultural Initiative
Newberry, FL | Southeast Region
03/08/22

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced applications are now being accepted from Florida urban agricultural producers for Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) projects. These projects are under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which offers producers technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns on their land.

Civil Eats: Tracing Regenerative Farming to its Indigenous Roots
By Hannah Wallace | NC | Southeast Region
03/10/22

In her new book, Liz Carlisle shows that carbon can be stored in the soil if we adopt ancestral land management strategies, many of which are held by communities of color.

No-Till Farmer: Living Roots: Fighting Soil Compaction with Biology and Diversity
By Stan Wise | SD | Northern Plains Region
03/14/22

The best way for them to fight compaction caused by heavy equipment, Bly said, is with living roots – cover crops and diverse crop rotations.

U.S. News: Maine Looking to Use Conservation Program for Farms, Forests
Augusta, ME | Northeast Region
03/13/22

Maine is looking for proposals of working farmlands and forests to preserve through its conservation grant program.

QUARTZ: The USDA is issuing grants to disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

By Michelle Cheng | NY | Northeast Region
03/11/22

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 9 that it is accepting grant applications to provide “historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners” with technical support for programs and services including agricultural capital and credit as well as agricultural production.

Times-Republic: Cover crops protect soil between growing seasons
By Joanie Stiers | Watseka, IL | North Central Region
03/14/22

After about seven years of cover crops, his family now sees improvements in the soil structure. Boucher shares these results and cover crop tips on the farm’s Facebook page and through the family’s seed company, Potential Ag.

Midwest Messenger: Growing agriculture knowledge in classrooms is fruitful on National Ag Day

By Amy Hadachek

03/17/22

Along with feeding the U.S. and the world, National Ag Day March 22 celebrates what farmers bring to the table, and teaches consumers where their food comes from. To tell that story, incorporating books about agriculture is at the top of the list for schools in the Central Plains.

AgriNews: Remember these 10 soil health tips while tackling weed control this spring
West Lafayette, IN | North Central Region 
03/14/22

For the past 40 years, CTIC has championed conservation farming by serving as a clearinghouse for information on sustainable agriculture practices ranging from reduced tillage to nutrient management and cover crops.

The Free Press Journal: Caribbean nations unite to Save Soil 
03/12/22

In a historic moment, four Caribbean nations sign MOU for the Save Soil movement, led by Sadhguru.

Oregon Capital Chronicle: Conservationists hail $5 million investment in preserving Oregon’s farmland
By Lynne Terry | OR | Pacific Region
03/10/22

As part of the supplemental budget approved in the short session, lawmakers invested $5 million in the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program, which is tasked with preserving farmland. But since it was set up in 2017 under the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, a state agency that offers grants to preserve waterways, wetlands and natural areas, the heritage program has never been funded. Now the program has money to do its job – and at an opportune time.

EurekAlert!: Cities can be part of the solution in sustaining species 
New Haven, CT | Northeast Region
03/14/22

A newly published study led by Yale School of the Environment researchers found that a projected urban expansion of up to 1.53 million square kilometers over the next three decades threatens the survival of more than 800 species — but also that a focus on urban planning that protects habitats can mitigate the impact.

NBC Montana: Montana watersheds need more snowpack
By Hannah Kearse | Bozeman, MT | Northern Plains Region
03/13/22

Historic low snow levels are occurring in Southwest Montana. It could lead to water shortages in the state’s southern region, causing impacts on agriculture, fisheries and communities. But forecasters say there’s still hope for watersheds to recover.

Star Tibune: Grasslands need protection now
By Jacob Hanson | Minneapolis, MN | Northern Plains Region
03/13/22

(Opinion) North America’s grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world.

Denver7: One city is offering fellowships to encourage young people to farm
By Matt Pearl | Phoenix, AZ | Southwest Region 
03/15/22

In the last 30 years, urban farming has grown more than 30 percent. It’s hailed as one path to bring food security to areas with little. That’s why more cities are taking a vested interest.

AgNet West: Benefits of Implementing a Cover Crop System in Tree Nuts
By Brian German | CA | Pacific Region 
03/14/22

It has taken some time for tree nut growers to become more receptive to implementing a cover crop system in their orchards. The practice has been shown to provide a series of benefits related to soil structure, bee health, and weed pressures.

CNN: Size of drought in US increased by the area of California in the past month
By Brandon Miller and Rachel Ramirez
03/10/22

The West is far from the only region experiencing remarkably dry weather so far this year. According to Thursday’s report from the US Drought Monitor, more than 61 percent of the contiguous US is in some classification of drought.

RFD TV: Louisiana Researchers Look to Improve Soil Health
Nashville, TN | Southeast Region
03/15/22

Louisiana researchers are working on several projects to improve soil health and make crops more productive.

The Durango Herald: Drought amplifies beetle damage to Colorado’s forests
By Aedan Hannon | Durango, CO | Pacific Region
03/17/22

Insects and drought are taking an increasing toll on Colorado’s forests, challenging the long-term sustainability and resiliency of the state’s roughly 24.5 million acres of forest, a new report says.

Need to update your contact information, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences? Click here to manage your profile.