Conservation Clip List for Friday, November 18th, 2022
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.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced the appointment of 20 new members to the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC), which provides policy recommendations to EPA on a range of important environmental issues impacting agriculture and rural communities. New FRRCC members will join the Committee’s 17 existing members, which includes NACD President Michael Crowder.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages urban producers, innovative producers, and other stakeholders to virtually attend the third public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on Nov. 29.
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced an additional $300 million toward climate-smart agricultural projects, bringing total investment to $3.1 billion. The additional projects will focus on small and underserved producers and methods for monitoring, reporting and verifying the benefits of climate-smart projects.
Agronomists and soil scientists research best practices for farmers to help them make informed decisions on managing their fields and crops. A team of researchers determined that a new tool can give important insights into farm field management.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service has launched a new interactive map showing the progress the agency and its partners have made in addressing the wildfire crisis in eight western states as part of the Forest Service’s 10-year wildfire crisis strategy.
A graduate student is using USDA Agricultural Research Service-funded research to determine the effectiveness of natural biochar to adsorb pharmaceutical contaminants before it reaches our streams and waterways.
Some simple measures conservation practices funded through Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Funding make significant improvements on some grazing land alongside Keshequa Creek.
Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, will host a wetland and cover crop field day Tuesday, Nov. 22. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about water quality enhancements and cover crop implementation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications from Wyoming agricultural producers for assistance through the new Big Game Conservation Partnership. Signups are open for opportunities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).
Soil organic carbon impacts crop productivity, soil health, the movement of water and the removal of contaminants. To help landowners and others better understand soil organic carbon, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach recently published a new resource called “Measuring Soil Organic Carbon: A Crucial Iowa Resource.”
The Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, will take part in measuring carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in grasslands while the Cooperative Extension Service will provide outreach and education to agricultural producers.
A Southeast New England Program Watershed Implementation Grant, awarded to the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District will partially fund a project to improve water quality in the lower Pawcatuck River and adjacent coastal waters, alleviate flooding, and promote community connection.
The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund program, in partnership with the Cheshire County Conservation District, is now accepting applications from local farmers. Currently, in its seventh year, the fund has supported eighteen farms in the Monadnock Region.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas has funded eight agreements through its Texas Partners for Conservation Program to leverage NRCS resources, address local natural resource issues, encourage collaboration, and develop state and community level conservation leadership.
Brian Ponder, co-owner of Pond-O-Gold Farms and Brian and Ken Ponder Farms located in Omega, Georgia, has been named the 2022 Conservationist of the Year by the Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD) for his outstanding contributions to natural resource conservation.
Utilizing conservation practices to improve soil health is nothing new for farmers in Nebraska. Many were early adopters of no-till to preserve moisture and protect soils from wind erosion.
A new one-acre pollinator habitat in a previously empty field off the highway will soon help increase the life of bees, bats, and butterflies. Officials expect the habitat to be in full bloom by spring 2023.
Iowa Learning Farms and Madison County Soil & Water Conservation District will host a cover crop workshop on December 1. Cover crops offer many benefits including reduced soil erosion, weed suppression potential, reduced nutrient runoff, and increased organic matter in the soil.
The use of cover crops is becoming more and more widespread in New Hampshire and across the country as farmers, agriculturalists, political leaders and the public recognize the value of these crops to improving soil health; reducing erosion; controlling pests, diseases, and weeds; and increasing biodiversity.
More than 115 volunteers pitched in to build 25 raised beds, planted with organic vegetation to support pollinators including bees. The increased pollinator population will increase the productivity of the farm, which donates all the food it produces.
Each year the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts recognize and celebrate dedication to the conservation and management of renewable natural resources. Collin County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) was recognized as the 2022 Outstanding SWCD.
