| 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.
NACD: Friends of NACD District Grant Helps Maine Districts Promote Conservation With New Certified Conservation Landscape Program The Waldo County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and Knox-Lincoln SWCD have created a new program to promote the implementation of conservation best management practices on all lands. Conservation districts across the state are now able to adopt the program, and NACD is helping to promote the program and its resources nationwide. NACD: Deschutes SWCD Leverages Resources to Deliver on Local Soil Health, Fire Resilience, and Irrigation Water Management Goals Through strategic capacity building and partnership efforts and with the support of NACD’s Technical Assistance Grants to develop three separate staff positions, the Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) makes strides to address the diverse resource conservation needs of the community.
USDA: USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions Across U.S. as Part of Broader Effort to Implement the Inflation Reduction Act The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act for conservation programs. For example, NRCS recently opened job announcements for soil conservationists. Farm Progress: Tiling and Nutrient Runoff: An Uneasy Relationship Field tiling is an obvious solution for some producers, especially those who work fields that are constantly flood prone. But it can also lead to more nutrient losses, potentially costing a producers’ bottom line and leading to more water-quality problems. USDA: USDA Unveils Efforts to Streamline Agricultural Conservation Easement Program The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is streamlining its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program to ultimately better help agricultural producers and private landowners conserve wetlands, productive farmlands and at-risk grasslands. RFD TV: Farmers for Soil Health: Sustainability Goals and Improve Profitability for Farmers We all know that healthy soils make for a healthy growing season and Farmers for Soil Health is a collaboration between grains and pork growers to help producers improve soil health across farm country.
The Daily Item: New Funding Opportunity Available for Agricultural Operations The Union County Conservation District is accepting applications for any Union County farm in need of technical or financial assistance in implementing best management practices aimed at reducing nutrient and sediment loss. KCRG: Planting Season in Washington County Requires Patience While farmers look to begin planting their primary crops during this time of the year, planting really starts right after harvest, with cover crops. Cover crops keep soil and nutrients from washing away, improves soil health, attracts pollinators, and signals when to start planting in the spring. Oklahoma Conservation Commission: National Land and Range Judging Contest Showcases Agricultural Excellence The annual National Land and Range Judging Contest successfully concluded last week in El Reno, Oklahoma. The prestigious competition brought together over 700 high school agricultural students from more than 35 states to evaluate and honor their exceptional skills and knowledge in this vital field. TN Department of Agriculture: Forest Legacy Program Aids Landowners and Conservation Efforts Forest landowners can ensure conservation benefits for generations to come with funding through the Forest Legacy Program. Proposals to apply for funding may be submitted until June 9, 2023. High Plains Journal: Take Cover: Farmer-Led Initiative Can Add to the Bottom Line Farmer-led initiatives are a proven formula for building conservation practices. A cover crop initiative follows that blueprint. The Kansas Climate Smart Initiative had set a goal of 100,000 acres in 2022, according to the Kansas Association of Conservation Districts. The Express: Conservation District, Others Team Up to Protect Fishing Creek A group of volunteers teamed with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Clinton County Conservation District to plant trees at a local fisher center in conjunction with Earth Day and Conservation District Week. USDA: USDA, Colorado Introduce Additional Conservation Practice to Address Regional Drought Concerns The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Colorado are continuing to strengthen their Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program partnership to support agricultural producers and landowners in reducing consumptive water use and protecting water quality, while conserving critical natural resources. The Lewistown Sentinel: County Conservation District Announces New Grant Program Mifflin County Conservation District (MCCD) is pleased to announce the availability of $1.9 million in grant funding allocated over the next three years to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution in Mifflin County. Farm Progress: Time for Soil Conservationists to Go to Work For the first time in a generation, those battling soil erosion in Indiana at the state level expect a meaningful increase in state funding. Now it’s time to invest that money in well-executed efforts to show measurable progress toward taming soil erosion. Purdue University: Purdue Receives $500,000 Grant as Part of New AI Institute Focusing on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Purdue University has received a five-year, $500,000 grant to play an education and workforce development role in the new $20 million AI-Climate Institute to improve accuracy and lower costs for innovative approaches to tracking climate metrics in agriculture and forestry. South Dakota Soil Health Coalition: ‘Park the Chisel’: First Step Toward Soil Health Can be Simple The benefits of improved soil health for agricultural producers and gardeners are numerous and valuable – reduced input costs, improved profitability, drought and flood resilience, reduced erosion, improved water quality, increased wildlife habitat, and more. WCI News: Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District Presents Third Graders with Seedlings for Arbor Day All third grade students in Warren County recently received trees from the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District in honor of Arbor Day and to educate students about the importance of natural resource conservation. New York State: DEC Announces $13-Million Partnership with Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith’s College to Support Invasive Species Prevention Efforts New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced a $13.24-million, five-year partnership with the Adirondack Watershed Institute to administer a program to protect resources from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species that damage ecosystems. Osprey Observer: Hillsborough Soil And Water Conservation District Presents Awards, Scholarships And Mini Grants The Hillsborough Soil and Water Conservation District presented awards to several local agencies and organizations, two scholarships and 16 mini grants at a luncheon last month. Bryan County News: Urban Agriculture Workshop June 6 in Richmond Hill The Georgia Association of Conservation Districts (GACD), Coastal Soil and Water Conservation District, and Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve are partnering to present a free informational workshop for local farmers, urban agricultural enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to learn more about getting started in urban agriculture. York News-Times: Buzzing With Potential A Pollinator Day event has been hosted annually in York and this year, more than 110 students from local public and private schools participated in the hands-on learning opportunity. Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District gave a presentation at this year’s event and opened a local demonstration site for students to visit. Oklahoma Conservation Commission: Committee Votes to Advance the Confirmation of Conservation Commission Nominee Samuel Grant Victor The Oklahoma State Senate Committee voted on Monday to advance the nomination of Samuel Grant Victor as the newest member of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, replacing Scotty Herriman as the Area III Commissioner. |