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.
Cache Valley Daily: Moore launches bill to boost U.S. Forest Service staffing
By Charlie Schill
09/29/21
Other groups voicing support for the Save Our Forests Act are the Summit Land Conservancy, Earthjustice, American Forests, the Western Environmental Law Center, the National Association of Conservation Districts, the National Wildfire Institute and the Defenders of Wildlife.
Oklahoma Farm Report: NACD Announces New Senior Staff Positions
10/04/21
National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Chief Executive Officer Jeremy Peters announced the installment of Jen Nelligan as the organization’s Chief Program Officer (CPO) and Karla Maldonado as its Chief Operations Officer (COO).
Times-News: Helping the little guys: Shoshone pollinator festival reminds folks to thank the bees
By Hannah Ashton
09/30/21
The Wood River Soil and Water Conservation District helped her by finding funding for the garden. They received three grants from the Idaho Community Foundation, Glanbia and the National Association of Conservation Districts for a total of $12,500.
Montrose Press: Winter pasture tips from Shavano Conservation District
By Jerry Allen
10/02/21
There are several ways to grow feed without a lot of expense; either winter pasture, or combine winter grazing with spring regrowth by planting some grass cereal crops while there is still water in the ditch.
Eagle Times: Sullivan County Conservation District’s environmental education programs adapt around pandemic
By Patrick Adrian
10/05/21
Despite hosting fewer school field trips than in previous years, the county’s educational program found new approaches to connect with county residents.
Latrobe Bulletin: Family farm, chamber to be honored by Westmoreland Conservation District
By Amy S. Fauth
10/05/21
The John Starr Family, Starr Valley Farm is being recognized by the Westmoreland Conservation District as its 2021 Conservation Farmer of the Year for the farm’s outstanding conservation efforts. In addition, the WCD is honoring Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce as its 2021 J. Roy Houston Conservation Partner.
Grainews: Soil health and cover crops
By Nathan Trowell
10/04/21
The simple answer is cover crops will improve your soil health. Cover crops reduce soil erosion, improve nutrient cycling and provide a living biosphere for beneficial soil micro-organisms.
USDA-NRCS: USDA Announces Recipients of Urban Agriculture Grants and Cooperative Agreements
10/05/21
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the selection of recipients for more than $6.6 million in grants and cooperative agreements through the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. These grants and cooperative agreements build on $4.1 million in projects funded in 2020.
USDA: USDA Announces More Than $146M Investment in Sustainable Agricultural Research
10/06/21
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of more than $146 million in sustainable agricultural research projects aimed at improving a robust, resilient, climate-smart food and agricultural system.
Successful Farming: MORE FARMERS EXPERIMENT WITH COVER CROPS, A CLIMATE TOOL, SURVEY SHOWS
By Chuck Abbott
10/06/21
Most of the farmers with cover crops were relative newcomers, according to the Purdue survey of 400 producers.
Farm Progress: Prairie strips prevent soil erosion, help pollinators
By Fran O’Leary
10/06/21
Five years ago, four prairie strips were planted on the Stoffel farm. The foundation has been working alongside Iowa State University to build awareness about the ecosystem services prairie strips provide across the Midwest.
AgWeb: Farming In The Sustainable Triangle
By Darrell Smith
10/06/21
Every management change ripples through the human, natural and physical environments.
Phys.org: Healthy soil, healthy farms
By Eric Hamilton
10/04/21
“Understanding the management practices that lead to healthier soils will allow farmers to grow the same crops while reducing costly chemical inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides) and protecting the environment,” says Lori Phillips.
Mirage News: OSU study: Thinning moderates forest fire behavior even without prescribed burns – for while
09/27/21
Mechanical thinning alone can calm the intensity of future wildfires for many years, and prescribed burns lengthen thinning’s effectiveness, according to Oregon State University research involving a seasonally dry ponderosa pine forest in northeastern Oregon.
AGDAILY: Cover Crop Corner: Economic gains take time and care to develop
10/05/21
There are no “quick fixes” when it comes to the health of soils, the benefits take more than overnight to show up. While it takes time and deliberate care to learn how to enhance resources holistically within your own system, the general principles are relatively simple and can be significant cost savings.
The Daily Item: Soil management key to plant health
By Cody Kouneski
10/03/21
Soil and nutrient management are key aspects of a total plant health care program. This includes the management of water, bulk density, pH, organic matter, nutrient retention capacity as well as nutrients. With proper soil management, trees will develop healthy root systems that will result in a vigorous, healthy crown.
Farms.com: USDA Announces $3 Billion Investment In Agriculture, Animal Health, & Nutrition
10/05/21
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a comprehensive set of investments to address challenges facing America’s agricultural producers.
Virginia Tech: Collaborative effort to raise awareness of soil health
09/29/21
A new campaign is calling on Virginians to champion for the invaluable and finite resource by pledging to endorse four key principles critical to soil health.
Ohio’s Country Journal: Reading weeds to improve soil health
By James Hoorman
09/30/21
If farmers can understand what the weeds are telling them, they can change their management to reduce weed populations.
UT News: Record-Breaking Texas Drought More Severe Than Previously Thought
10/06/21
According to the updated model simulation, severe drought was more widespread and longer lasting than judged by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), which is the current standard for designating drought across the United States.
Agri-Pulse: Farmers accept earlier, larger role in ag tech development
By Amy Mayer
10/06/21
(Subscriber Only) Farmers have long played a part in bringing new seeds and other technologies to market by trying things out on a small scale before a company makes a new product widely available. But now some ag tech startups are leveraging the knowledge and creativity of farmers to engage them earlier and more broadly in new product development.
University of Oregon: Researchers look for ways to boost bee-friendly practices
10/01/21
Now a UO biologist and former UO postdoctoral fellow have looked for ways to incentivize almond growers to adopt bee-friendly practices, such as planting cover crops, adopting permanent pollinator habitat and adopting best management practices for bees.
Everything Lubbock: Soil conservation project receives grant from the Texas Water Development Board
10/02/21
Thanks to a recent grant from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), the TAWC will be able to pursue a new line of research that will focus on water conservation through improvements on soil health.
Agri-Pulse: Biden signs bill providing $10B to cover wide range of ag disasters
By Ben Nuelle
09/30/21
(Subscriber Only) A stopgap-funding bill that will keep the government operating this fall includes a $10 billion expansion in agricultural disaster aid and temporarily extends authority for USDA’s livestock price reporting system.
Farm and Dairy: Meet the 2021 Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards recipients
By Gail Keck
09/30/21
The five families recognized with 2021 Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards each have their own approach to conserving soil, water and natural resources, but they all share an interest in improving their land for future generations.
KCBX: Local beekeepers’ alliance encourages bee conservation amid commercial beekeeping losses
By Angel Russell
10/04/21
Bees are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the world’s food supply, but the honeybee population has been declining rapidly throughout the last twenty years, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Sun Journal: Groups work on solutions to invasive plants, algae blooms in Belgrade Lakes Region
By Haley Hersey
10/03/21
Another invasive plant is spreading toward North Pond, which is already contending with harmful algae blooms, but the Seven Lakes Alliance and several partners are taking a broad approach toward solutions.
Coastal Review: N.C. Bird Atlas to help prioritize conservation efforts
By Peter Vankevich
10/06/21
Since the 1970s, nearly every state across the country has undertaken these multi-year, large-scale, standardized surveys. Data collected during the study will help prioritize conservation efforts for the most imperiled North Carolina birds.