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 Selection of Jimmy Emmons as Assistant Chief of NRCS
05/27/2025
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) applauds the appointment of Jimmy Emmons to serve as Assistant Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). As Assistant Chief, Emmons will help lead conservation programs that provide critical resources and technical assistance to America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to improve working lands conservation, increase the competitiveness of American agriculture, and improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitats.
NACD Blog: Interview with a TA Grantee: Fulton County Conservation District
05/27/2025
In northern Arkansas, an NACD Outreach and Technical Assistance (TA) grant has helped the Fulton County Conservation District (FCCD) address conservation on more than 16,000 acres and develop over 70 conservation plans for producers in their county. The TA grant funding, made possible through an agreement between NACD and NRCS, has enabled the district to hire additional staff to help producers plan and implement conservation practices to improve their land’s soil and water through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Successful Farming: USDA Sec. Rollins to ‘Remove Obstacles for Small Farms’
By Natalina Sents Bausch
05/19/2025
While traveling in Nebraska on Monday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins kicked off “Make Agriculture Great Again.” The first policy pillar of the agenda focuses on small family farms, “which are the heart of our communities and our nation,” according to policy documents.
Illinois Farmer Today: Going back to revolution, U.S. has helped farmer veterans
By Benjamin Herrold
05/23/2025
From the earliest days of the United States, the country has encouraged and rewarded military service with agricultural support and opportunities. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress offered land, known as bounty land warrants, to people who served in the military during the war. In its early years, the U.S. had limited financial resources but was rich in land, so it was a natural way to support military service.
USDA: Secretary Rollins Announces Food Purchases for Communities in Need
05/23/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) intent to purchase up to $67 million in fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables from domestic producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. Fiscal year to date, USDA has provided more than $600 million in purchases, all which benefit the charitable feeding network.
KATC: USDA urges ag producers to get read for hurricane season
05/27/2025
The USDA is encouraging producers to prepare for hurricane season now. “Hurricane season is here, beginning June 1 and running through Nov. 30. Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners have been significantly impacted by hurricanes in recent years. USDA encourages agricultural producers to prepare for the 2025 season and get familiar with recovery resources,” a release states.
USDA: Secretary Rollins Announces New Slate of Presidential Appointments at USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Farm Service Agency, and Rural Development
05/27/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) including the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD).
SFN Today: NRCS Ramping Up for Next 90 Years
By Mike Davis
05/29/2025
The Natural Resources Conservation Service recently celebrated 90 years of protecting soil health and serving farmers to do so. Aubrey Bettencourt is the NRCS Chief and says connecting with farmers is something they talk about a lot. “We’ve got to meet our farmers where they are and, more importantly, meet them where they’re going. We are at such a critical moment in agriculture, I think, where this is make or break for our society in terms of the investment we make in the 2% of the population that feeds, clothes and fuels the other 98%.”
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Ag Week: Soil and water conservation districts and farmers grapple with conservation program changes
By Michael Johnson | Minnesota | North Central Region
05/19/2025
Freezing of funds, revamping of programs and cuts to staffing that have come with the new Trump administration transition continue to bring questions in the farm community and those who serve them. For soil and water conservation district staff like those serving East Otter Tail and Wadena counties, in central Minnesota, perhaps the biggest problem created by the abrupt changes is a loss of trust as farmers who signed contracts under a Biden-era Climate-Smart Agriculture pilot program in 2024 and are now left with projects in place and promised funds frozen.
USDA-NRCS: NRCS helps Tribal landowners manage sustainable timber production on Afognak Island, Alaska
Afognak Island, AK | Pacific Region
05/22/2025
Timber production is economically important to Alaska. Timber from Alaska forests is used in a wide range of applications, from construction and building materials to high-end specialty products like musical instruments, sailboat masts, and cultural logs used for panels and totems. While the industry has experienced fluctuations, it remains a significant part of Alaska’s economy as well as the global economy for timber and wood products. To keep this market viable for future generations, there is a critical need for sustainable forestry conservation.
Tri -City Herald: Wenatchee green belt project reduces wildfire risk through native plants
By Jenni Rodas | Broadus, MT | Northern Plains Region
05/26/2025
Broadview Canyon and Broadview neighborhood as seen from Kenzie’s Landing Trailhead. The left side of the canyon was seeded by helicopter last year to help promote native growth and fire resilience. Wenatchee’s once-reliable protection against wildfires – its network of orchards – is quickly vanishing, leaving the city increasingly vulnerable as more greenbelt areas are cleared and replaced.
Telluride Daily Planet: What is the difference between dirt and soil?
Telluride, CO | Southwest Region
05/27/2025
I recently joined soil scientist Dave Dearstyne and environmental consultant Chris Hazen on a working ranch, just West of Norwood. With shovels in hand, we dug into the local range soil health. Dearstyne is a consultant for the Shavano Conservation District and has spent his career consulting ranchers, farmers and landowners on soil health practices.
Farm Progress: A green legacy: Doug Lechlider’s sod farm success story
By Chris Torres | Gaithersburg, MD | Northeast Region
05/27/2025
The grass is always greener at Doug Lechlider’s sod farm in Gaithersburg, Md. But it has to be: Growing sod is his business. “I’m still learning something every day about this business,” he says. There’s a lot that goes into growing good-looking grass. But it’s something he’s been committed to for decades, and it’s helping keep farming alive in an area just 40 minutes outside Washington, D.C.
Penn State: New certification program expands conservation capacity in Pennsylvania
By Alexandra McLaughlin| University Park, PA | Northeast Region
05/28/2025
Conservation district staff across Pennsylvania now have access to a new certification system aimed at increasing local capacity to implement agricultural conservation projects. The launch of the Practice Approval System, or PAS, developed by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission in partnership with the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training, administered by Penn State Extension, is intended to support more efficient and locally driven conservation efforts.
The Pine Bluff Commercial: State’s efforts to rein in feral hogs see progress
By Ryan Farney | Arkansas | South Central Region
05/28/2025
By 2024, the efforts were showing results. The Feral Swine Control Project, operating in 12 counties across four project areas (North Central Ozarks, West Arkansas River Valley, Southeast and Southwest), assisted on 483 properties covering about 500,000 acres. More than 13,000 feral hogs had been removed, with nearly 4,500 removed using conservation district resources.