NACD Blog: Did You Know? AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute
11/04/2025
Did you know that the future of conservation is being shaped by students? NACD partners with Agriculture Future of America (AFA) every year to bring 50 college students from across the country to the AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute. This three-day experience held February 15-17, 2026, brings the brightest young minds in agriculture and natural resources together for hands-on learning, field discussions, and meaningful conversations with conservation leaders.
Politico: Farm-state Republicans finally reach their breaking point
By Meredith Lee Hill
10/30/2025
For President Donald Trump, it was a brief musing to reporters on Air Force One about his plans to import beef from Argentina. For dozens of farm-state Republicans who have held their tongues as key Trump policies battered their constituents, it was the final straw.
Lehigh Valley News: Easton’s conservation manager publishes step-by-step micro-forest guide
By Molly Bilinksi
10/31/2025
The city’s micro-forest has literally grown, filling up and out with lush greenery, made up of native species of shrubs, flowers and trees. To help other municipalities and organizations create their own micro-forest, Christopher recently published “Creating a Micro-Forest: A Step by Step Guide.”
MSN: How Trump’s soybean deal compares with past US exports to China
By Micah McCartney
11/05/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump announced a soybean deal on Thursday following his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, months after Beijing’s purchases ground to a near halt in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods. China’s reported pledge to buy 12 million metric tons through January, followed by an annual 25 million tons beginning next year, has brought relief to U.S. farmers in the middle of this year’s export cycle.
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The Colorado Sun: Farmers, ranchers cut back Colorado River water use while enduring one of the driest seasons on record
By Shannon Mullane | Colorado | Southwest Region
10/10/2025
Farmers, ranchers and other water users in four Western states, including Colorado, are cutting back on water use because of low flows through the Colorado River Basin. Less than half the normal amount of water flowed into Lake Powell from the Upper Basin states — Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming — this summer. Farmers in the four-state region fallowed fields and changed their crop plans to adapt to a smaller water supply.
Inside Climate News: Wetlands Help Remedy Agricultural Pollution. Some Illinois Farmers Are Installing New Ones.
By Alexia Underwood | Illinois | North Central Region
10/23/2025
Wetlands are one of nature’s solutions. Through soil, plants and microbes, wetlands filter nitrates and phosphorus from fertilizer runoff as well as offer a habitat for wildlife. Fulton had already experimented a bit by seeding a pond on his property and adding cover crops across acres of land to help prevent runoff when the opportunity with the Wetlands Initiative arose.
OPB: Native plants thrive in Eastern Washington’s dry climate. This organization is working to bring more to yards in the Tri-Cities
By Courtney Flatt | Washington | Pacific Region
11/02/2025
With the Heritage Garden Program, Kelmel said she hopes to see more native plants in yards throughout the Tri-Cities. Each year, she’s made house calls, checking out the light and shade, asking about each person’s preferences. Then, she designs a plan specific to each space, complete with pictures of the plants and descriptions of how to care for them. Demand for the free service is increasing as water concerns also rise, she said. In 2021, the Benton Conservation District conducted around 50 site visits. So far this year, they’ve conducted 100 visits.
South Dakota Soil Health Coalition: Fall harvest reveals wildlife benefits of soil health
By Janelle Atyeo | Pierre, SD | Northern Plains Region
11/05/2025
Craig and his brother Gene Stehly farm around Mitchell, South Dakota. For the last couple of years, they’ve planted corn with a row of cover crops in between. The green skip row provides a haven for pheasants and a buffet for deer late into the fall. There are lasting benefits for the farm, as well.