| 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: Washington state district explores forest farming opportunities 05/12/22
Agroforestry has made its way into Snohomish Conservation District (WA), with landowner interest flourishing and new programs specific to forest farming in the works.
Ag Net West: More Than Two Million Acres Accepted into Conservation Reserve Program By Brian German 05/06/22
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) applauded USDA’s continuing efforts to encourage and incentivize conservation activities.
Successful Farming: Rain on the Plains Helps Some Winter Wheat Farmers By Bill Spiegel 05/06/22
Rain falling across some portions of the Winter Wheat Belt last week came at the last possible moment to save the 2022 wheat crop for some farmers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Texas.
Agri-Pulse: WOTUS regional roundtables set to begin; farm groups express frustration about process By Steve Davies 05/06/22
(Subscribers Only) Virtual roundtables to discuss the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers’ effort to come up with a “durable” definition of “waters of the U.S.” will kick off Monday. But many in agriculture and on Capitol Hill say they’re perplexed by the organization of the events and how exactly the agencies plan to use the information gleaned from the dialogues.
Agri-Pulse: Vilsack pivots, seeking new insurance, conservation incentives to boost production By Philip Brasher | Washington, DC 05/09/22
(Subscribers Only) The Agriculture Department also is working on administrative changes to crop insurance and the conservation programs to induce farmers to increase production of wheat and other crops, Vilsack told Agri-Pulse, acknowledging that the president’s original proposals for boosting crop production this year had run into opposition on Capitol Hill.
The Daily Yonder: The White House Wants to Protect Old-Growth Forests By Bryce Oates 05/09/22
President Biden issued an Executive Order on Earth Day highlighting forests’ critical role in addressing climate change.
Agri-Pulse: Nutrient runoff from ag targeted at first ‘WOTUS’ roundtable By Steve Davies 05/09/22
(Subscribers Only) Agricultural practices that contribute to nutrient pollution came in for severe criticism at a Midwest regional roundtable Monday hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to gather input on defining “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act.
USDA: First Round of Proposals for Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Shows Strong Interest 05/10/22
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the first round of funding through the new Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities received over 450 proposals ranging from $5 million to $100 million each.
WGAL: US Department of Agriculture announces funding to improve Chesapeake Bay water quality Lancaster, PA | Northeast Region 05/06/22
More than $22.5 million will be available for farmers in the watershed for technology and resources to reduce pollution in runoff water.
Washington Post: ‘Potentially historic’ wildfire event threatens New Mexico, Southwest By Matthew Cappucci and Jason Samenow | New Mexico | Southwest Region 05/07/22
Warm to locally scorching temperatures, bone-dry air and strong mountain gusts are set to overlap for several days, part of a summerlike weather pattern that comes without the chance of any meaningful rainfall.
LA Times: It’s not even summer, and California’s two largest reservoirs are at ‘critically low’ levels By Rosanna Xia | Los Angeles, CA | Pacific Region 05/09/22
At a point in the year when California’s water storage should be at its highest, the state’s two largest reservoirs have already dropped to critically low levels — a sobering outlook for the hotter and drier months ahead.
RFD TV: Update from the Field on #Plant22: West Richland, Washington West Richland, Washington | Pacific Region
Washington State farmer, Michael Crowder spoke with RFD-TV’s own Janet Adkison to give an update on progress from his operation along the Yakima River.
Craig Press: Colorado’s stream management planning watered down by agriculture By Heather Sackett | Craig, CO | Southwest Region 05/09/22
Stream management plans were originally intended to address flow needs for recreation and environmental water uses, but traditional water uses like agriculture often participate in the process too.
Food Business News: Aflatoxin risk in corn may increase due to climate change By Jeff Gelski | Lansing, MI | North Central Region 05/09/22
A study that used 16 climate change models found aflatoxin in corn could become more of a problem in the Midwest because of higher temperatures caused by climate change.
The Sacramento Bee: ‘Time to act.’ What’s rising from the ashes of major giant sequoia wildfires in California By Carmen Kohlruss | Sacramento, CA | Pacific Region 05/09/22
Like the ancient forest’s better-known neighbors – national parks, monuments and forests – Mountain Home was hit hard by California’s increasingly destructive wildfires.
CBS News: Conservation groups sue EPA over Florida manatee deaths caused by “preventable” pollution By Zoe Christen Jones | Florida | Southeast Region 05/10/22
The groups want the EPA to reassess water quality standards for Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, an “important” warm-water habitat for manatees.
News Dakota: Lawmakers Seek $1 Billion for Farm Bill Conservation Programs in 2023 Budget By Jamie Dickerman | Valley City, ND | Northern Plains Region 05/10/22
Senators Michael Bennet of Colorado, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Chris Coons of Delaware led the effort in a letter to the Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee.
The Ellsworth American: Access, conservation among priorities for shellfish managers By Cindi Wood | Ellsworth, ME | Northeast Region 05/10/22
Maintaining shoreline access, preserving brood stock, better coordinating with neighboring towns and dealing with “bad eggs” are just some of the issues keeping municipal shellfish program managers up at night.
Star Advisor: Oahu to launch agricultural grant program for farmers Honolulu, HI | Pacific Region 05/10/22
A new $3 million federally funded agricultural grant program for farmers, ranchers and other growers on Oahu is being developed by Honolulu’s city government to support local agriculture.
The Southern Maryland Chronicle: USDA announces 25% boost in Chesapeake spending By Karl Blankenship | Oakland, MD | Northeast Region 05/10/22
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that it would spend an additional $22.5 million this year to help farmers install conservation practices in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Wyoming News Now: Why Wyoming water conservation and rights matters By Valerie Fugate | Cheyenne, WI | North Central Region 05/11/22
As a headwaters state, rivers start in Wyoming and flow outwards. With drought seasons extending, especially in the Colorado River Basin, it’s important that we use our water to its best benefit.
Washington Post: The swift march of climate change in North Carolina’s ‘ghost forests’ By Brady Dennis | North Carolina | Southeast Region 05/12/22
As the first light of day flickers across the Croatan Sound, Scott Lanier surveys the gray, barren tree trunks that stand in every direction, like massive gravestones marking the once-vibrant landscape.
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