| 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.
Congressional Western Caucus: NEWHOUSE LEADS BIPARTISAN RESOLUTION SUPPORTING VOLUNTARY, LOCALLY-LED CONSERVATION
Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Senate Western Caucus Chairman Steve Daines (MT), and Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02), Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Sanford Bishop (GA-02) introduced a bicameral and bipartisan resolution to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and honor the locally-led, collaborative conservation efforts they deploy throughout the United States.
Cedar River Watershed District: Prairie strips focus of upcoming field day
“It’s a very farmer-friendly practice in that prairie strips can be used by the farmer as a turnaround area for machinery and used as headlands,” said James Fett, Mower SWCD’s watershed technician. “Prairie strips really are an innovative, flexible solution that landowners can put anywhere on their farm.”
Bay Journal: Pennsylvania counties take the lead in Chesapeake cleanup plans
The new county battleplan began in 2018 with a pilot test by four southeastern Pennsylvania counties, which together send the lion’s share of nutrients into the Susquehanna River and Bay. Four more counties were added, and this year, with a few tweaks to the process, 26 other counties agreed to plan and oversee the cleanup work themselves. County conservation districts are major players.
Agri-Pulse: Large grassland CRP signup pulls in 2.5M acres
(Subscriber Only) The Agriculture Department on Friday announced enrollment of 2.5 million acres of grasslands into the Conservation Reserve Program, twice as much acreage as last year’s signup and a major step forward for the Biden administration’s goal to sharply expand the program.
Successful Farming: SHI DECIPHERS SOIL HEALTH ECONOMICS
The Soil Health Institute (SHI), a non-profit organization aiming to safeguard and enhance the vitality and productivity of soils, will release a comprehensive report on the Economics of Soil Health on 100 Farms in a webinar on September 30 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time.
Associated Press: Farmers restore native grasslands as groundwater disappears
Groundwater that sustained generations is drying up, creating another problem across the Southern plains: Without enough rain or groundwater for crops, soil can blow away — as it did during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.
Argus Leader: South Dakota is second in the U.S. in land contributions to federal grassland conservation program
South Dakota landowners contributed a significant number of acres to a federally-funded conservation program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday.
Lancaster Farming: New No-Till Guide for Organic Soybean Production Available
New Cornell University research informs a rolled cover crop organic no-till soybean production system that can help farmers reduce labor, save fuel and improve soil health.
The Lock Haven Express: Sustainable forestry
Sustainable forestry is about caring for and managing forests to provide the resources, such as wood and clean water, we need now and in the future.
Fulton Sun: Cover crops becoming more common in sustainable agriculture
With the increased interest in sustainable agriculture, the use of cover crops and green manures for the home garden are becoming more common. Now is a good time to start planning for a winter cover crop to be planted late September.
Wisconsin State Farmer: Rotational grazing helps family improve the health of soil, water and animals on their farm “When our soils are in good shape, when we have good structure and we have good infiltration, we can surface-apply manure very safely,” he said.
St. Louis Public Radio: Missouri Farmers Are Trying To Figure Out How Much Carbon They Have To Sell
The project run by the Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Soy Association is looking at quantifying the reduction of carbon emissions when farmers take on practices like no-till, planting cover crops and refining fertilizer application schedules.
Your Erie: Pa. Department of Agriculture’s $500k Urban Ag Grant Program now open
Penn State News: Software tool that finds spots for water-quality devices will work in Northeast
A computer software package widely used in the Midwest to strategically position riparian buffers and other structures aimed at protecting water quality on agricultural land can be used effectively in the eastern United States, with some limitations, Penn State researchers report in a new study.
Environmental Defense Fund: Market Research Shows Agricultural Lenders Should Be Banking on Soil Health
Report analyzes interviews with 100 Iowa farmers, finds 90 percent believe soil health practices improve long-term profitability and tests multiple ways agricultural lenders could support the transition.
Agri-Pulse: Diamondback moth range increasing with climate change, research finds
(Subscriber Only) The moth, also known as the cabbage moth, is responsible for more than $4 billion in damage worldwide each year to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, mustard, radishes, turnips, watercress, Brussels sprouts and other crops, a Rice news release on the study says. Michigan Farm News: $3.6M in grants available to target invasive species in Michigan
Michigan’s Invasive Species Grant Program is accepting proposals for the 2021 funding cycle, with an anticipated $3.6 million available to applicants.
Agri-Pulse: Democrats advance incomplete ag spending plan
(Subscriber Only) The Democratic-controlled House Agriculture Committee on Monday approved a partisan spending package that is expected to grow to $94 billion once new funding for farm bill conservation programs is added.
West Virginia Explorer: Statewide agriculture competition to reward student innovation
The Robert C. Byrd Institute at Marshall University and a statewide group of partners are announcing the fifth-annual Student Agriculture Innovation Challenge to encourage problem-solving and innovation among West Virginia students interested in agriculture.
The Columbus Dispatch: Gardening: Want to improve soil health? Try planting cover crops
In order to improve soil heath and organic matter, vegetable gardeners should aim to have actively growing plants in the garden for 10 or eleven months each year.
The Washington Post: Depleted by drought, Lakes Powell and Mead were doomed from the beginning
This shortage isn’t a surprise. Water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell to the northeast have already reached historic lows amid the summer drought.
The Topeka Capital Journal: Invasive grass turning Kansas prairie into biodiversity wasteland. Here’s what to do with Old World bluestem
The invasive grass has turned this piece of northwest Kansas prairie into a monoculture, where a single species crowds out all the others until it’s the last one standing.
NIFA: NIFA Invests $30M to Help Boost Organic Farming and Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced today an investment of over $30 million for 33 grants that support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and other organic products.
Iowa State University: Iowa Farmers Are Pursuing Actions in Response to Changing Weather
A new study from researchers at Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, published in Frontiers in Climate, examines how farmers are responding to the increasing threats that weather extremes and related harms such as pests and disease represent.
Wicked Local: As wildfires rage in California, fire concerns grow in New England amid changing climate
Anecdotally, concerns are growing that New England may see more wildfires as a result of the warming climate and droughts.
Farm and Dairy: Researchers talk algae blooms, water quality programs
Algae blooms have been a problem in Lake Erie for decades. But scientists are still working on understanding all of the factors that cause them, and the best ways to fix the issue. Need to update your contact information, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences? Click here to manage your profile. |