Cover crops can do more than protect soil between growing seasons. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce explains some of the ways farmers are putting cover crops to work on their operations. “A cover crop is a crop that’s planted after the cash crop is harvested. They’re species of plants that introduce plant biodiversity into the soil, …
President Trump Signs Pro-Rancher Executive Orders
President Donald Trump has signed two executive orders aimed at strengthening America’s cattle industry and supporting ranchers across the country. During an event in Washington, the administration announced a series of new actions designed to rebuild the nation’s cattle herd, which currently remains at its smallest level since the 1950s. One executive order focuses on predator management. It directs federal …
Secretary Rollins breaks down Ranchers First Initiatives
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently outlined new actions to build upon USDA’s 2026 plan to fortify the American beef industry. The ranchers first initiative is a package of actions aimed at rebuilding the great American beef herd. Secretary Rollins breaks down the actions in further detail saying, “In Nebraska we talked about the new effort to retain heifers under …
USDA Announces Funding Now Available For Conservation Innovation Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that funding is now available for Conservation Innovation Grants. Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief, Colton Buckley, provides the details on these grants. “We have announced $65 million for this fiscal year, broken up $50 million for on-farm trials for that conservation implementation, and $15 million for CIG Classic,” said Buckley. “CIG on-farm trial …
NRCS Announces $65 Million Innovation Grant Fund for Farmers and Conservation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced $65 Million in funding for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to incentivize natural resource conservation for private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Conservation Innovation Grants is supported through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which increased funding for farm bill conservation programs. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act increases the …
USDA Finalizes National Environmental Policy Act Rule
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced last week that USDA has finalized a rule to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. According to the Department, the changes outlined in the rule “consolidated seven agency-specific NEPA regulations into a single, department wide framework, reducing the overall volume of regulations by 66 percent.” Secretary Rollins said, “Since last July, agencies …
Florida Ag Commissioner Opens Nominations for 2026 Agriculture Awards
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson has announced that the nomination period is now open for two prestigious statewide honors: the Florida Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award and the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, “The Woman of the Year in Agriculture Award annually recognizes the achievements of women who have …
M&D Overstreet Ranch Named Region II ESAP Winner
Each year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognizes cattle operations across the country that demonstrate outstanding stewardship practices and long-term conservation efforts. For 2026, M&D Overstreet Ranch of Kathleen, Florida was selected as the Region II winner, highlighting decades of commitment to land preservation, wildlife habitat, and responsible cattle production. The Overstreet Ranch story stretches back generations. Ranch owner …
EPA Guidance to Manufacturers Clarifies Clean Air Act Supports Right To Repair
EPA Clarifies Clean Air Act Supports Right to Repair for Farmers The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued new guidance to manufacturers clarifying that the Clean Air Act (CAA) supports Americans’ ability to make repairs on their own equipment. The guidance reinforces that federal air quality law cannot be used to restrict access to tools, software, or diagnostic information needed …
Florida Cattlemen’s Pushing against EU Deforestation Rule at NCBA Convention
Florida Cattlemen Join Southeast Effort to Oppose EU Deforestation Rule at NCBA Convention The Florida Cattlemen’s Association is joining with other Southeastern states to push back against the European Union’s deforestation rule through the policy process at the NCBA Convention and Trade Show. The effort is focused on protecting land-use flexibility and private property rights for cattle producers and landowners …










