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 Blog: Conservation District Leverages Grants to Stabilize Markets, Advance Conservation, and Support and Uplift Youth and Seniors
By Ellie Stuckrath, NACD Communications Coordinator, and Allie Hostler, KTRCD District Coordinator
11/24/2025
When the Klamath Trinity Resource Conservation District (KTRCD) formed in 2007, economic development, food security, and tribal sovereignty were just as integral to their mission as natural resources conservation. For KTRCD, fostering tribal food sovereignty meant creating and maintaining sustainable markets for farmers. Thus, the KTRCD Food Hub was born, allowing the district to purchase produce and meat directly from producers and redistribute it to the Hoopa Valley Tribal Community in northwest California.
NACD Blog: Building Wildfire-Ready Communities in California’s North Bay
By the Sonoma Resource Conservation District
11/24/2025
Jason Wells never thought he’d return to Sonoma County, California, as no forestry positions existed. But after the 2017 Tubbs Fire tore through Santa Rosa, destroying over 5,000 homes, everything changed. Not only is Jason back where he grew up, he is busier than ever. His role as the Director of Forestry with the Sonoma Resource Conservation District (RCD) has evolved beyond just writing Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) management plans.
NACD Blog: Which Montana Do You Want? Local and State Leaders Raise Their Voices for Forest Health
By Nicole Poitra, NACD Northern Plains Region Representative
11/25/2025
Across Montana, foresters, conservation districts, and local leaders are coming together to spark an important conversation about the future of the state’s forests. At the center of that discussion are two longtime foresters, Jim Simpson and Gordy Sanders, who launched the effort called “Which Montana Do You Want?” to raise awareness about the sharp decline in the state’s forest products industry and what that means for forest health, wildfire risk, and rural economies.
AgWeek: Here’s what’s in the funding package and extended farm bill for farmers
By Kent Thiesse
11/20/2025
The federal government shutdown lasted 43 days, which was the longest shutdown in history, surpassing the previous record shutdown of 34 days in 2018 and 2019. The continuing resolution allows all functions of the federal government to be restored immediately and provides temporary funding for the federal government through Jan. 30, 2026.
Office of Congressman Troy Downing: Downing Bill Right Sizes Regulation for American Conservation
By Joshua Baethge
11/21/2025
(Edited) Today, Congressman Troy Downing introduced the Floodplain Enhancement and Recovery Act. This bill exempts ecosystem restoration projects in regulated floodplains from having to demonstrate no net impact on base flood elevation. “Communities in Montana and across the country will benefit from No Rise Reform,” said Jeremy Peters, CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts.
Farm Progress: Unlock physical attributes of healthy soil
By Rebecca Kern-Lunbery
11/24/2025
All farmers want healthy soil, but figuring out if you have healthy soil and how to build good soil on your farm and ranch is a skill that takes time to explore. We are digging deeper into the chemical, physical and biological attributes that make up healthy soil and balanced systems. Last month, we talked about the chemical aspects of our soils, so this month, we get into the physical attributes that make up healthy soil.
Morning AgClips: USDA NRCS Launches Office of the Assistant Chiefs
11/25/2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced the launch of the Office of the Assistant Chiefs (OAC) — a strategic realignment designed to modernize regional leadership, strengthen accountability, and put decision-making closer to the producers and partners NRCS serves.
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Northern Wyoming News: Science class starts project to clean up river
By Sean Mortimer | Wyoming | Southwest Region
11/20/2025
Worland High School’s Environmental Science students are going above their syllabus requirements to start a project with the potential to make a positive change in their community. The class, a concurrent enrollment course with Northwest College in Powell, is a great way for students to earn a college science credit learning about how human activity, plants, animals and other living and nonliving things interact with and change their environments.
Successful Farming: North Dakota’s Grand Farm Earns Another $7 Million in State Funding
By Jeff Beach | North Dakota | Northern Plains Region
11/24/2025
North Dakota is investing $7 million into Grand Farm to promote research on robotics, artificial intelligence, and other technology for autonomous agriculture. Greg Tehven, chair of the Grand Farm board, said the top priority is building up the facilities and infrastructure on the research campus west of Casselton.
University of California: The 4-H alumni keeping California farming strong
By Robyn Schelenz | California | Pacific Region
11/25/2025
Rivers went on to earn a Ph.D. from Penn State in entomology and international agriculture and development, expertise that has led to her current role overseeing membership engagement for the National Association of Conservation Districts, a nonpartisan organization that brings together farmers, government agencies and conservation groups to support advocacy, education and partnerships for the nation’s conservation districts, including those in California, where Rivers is based.
South Carolina Daily Gazette: More federal aid available to SC farmers impacted by drought, Hurricane Helene
By Jessica Holdman | South Carolina | Southwest Region
11/25/2025
During the federal shutdown, people were surprised to find the Mason-Lake. South Carolina farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene, as well as tornados, floods and droughts that hit the state in the last two years, can apply for a second round of federal aid. The application period opened Monday for 2023 and 2024 natural disaster-related crop losses for which farmers did not have crop insurance. The aid can also help insured farmers recuperate any minor losses that were not enough to trigger an insurance payout, as well as damage to crops that reduced the sale value of those crops.
Vermillion County First: NRCS Assists Generational Farmer with Improving His Land
By Steve Brandy | Tazewell County, IL | North Central Region
11/25/2025
One farmer who took advantage of financial and technical assistance from NRCS is Steve Peters Jr., who is a 4th generation farmer. Steve’s family had been farming this Tazewell County, Illinois farm since 1953. At first, they rented while purchasing land throughout the years and now own their farm. NRCS assists owners and operators, both beginning farmers and generational farmers.
Pennsylvania Ag Connection: No-Till Methods Boost Soil Health in Pennsylvania
By Blake Jackson | Lancaster County, PA | Northeast Region
11/25/2025
(Edited) Amish and Mennonite tobacco farmers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are adopting no-till planting practices to improve soil health and reduce erosion. With the help of Penn State Extension, new machinery has been developed that allows these farmers to cultivate tobacco with minimal soil disturbance, supporting more sustainable farming methods. In collaboration with the Lancaster County Conservation District, some grant funding, and a local Amish workshop, a 1-row, horse-drawn no-till transplanter was developed in 2015.