(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/April 22, 2024) — Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he will approve $1.5 billion directed towards Everglades cleanup that was included in the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1, which he has not yet received. “I am going through all the things in the budget right now. And there’s a lot of different line items. … …
USDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available for Conservation and Climate-Smart Ag
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an historic $1.5 billion was being made available in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting project proposals until July 2, 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies …
NACD Sends Letter Requesting Funding for Conservation Programs
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and a coalition of agriculture and conservation organizations recently sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees requesting at least $1.2 billion for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation operations and full authorized funding for farm bill conservation programs in Fiscal Year 2025. More than 85 conservation and agriculture groups signed …
USDA Seeks Partnerships to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until May 26, 2024. Through GLCI, NRCS will use partnerships to increase technical …
Applications for USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants are Due April 9
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production. Applications for USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants are due April 9, 2024, via grants.gov. “This grant program has proven very popular and impactful in recent years, and we look forward to partnering with more communities nationwide to strengthen local food systems …
FDACS Announces Protection of Over 8,000 Acres of Florida Agricultural Land
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 26, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of over 8,000 acres of Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 8,349 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective rural land protection easements …
USDA-NRCS Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is requesting proposals to assist with implementing some key priorities. The objective of this Notice of Funding is to obtain Technical Services and Projects to enhance Conservation Technical Assistance and Farm Bill Program Delivery across Georgia. But, proposals for this funding are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 23, 2024. Conservation minded …
USDA-NRCS Investing in Climate-Smart Easements
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced an investment of about $138 million in Climate-Smart Easements through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The funding, from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is the largest climate investment in history. The selected ACEP projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. Carrie Lindig, NRCS Easement Program Division Director, explains how the Southeast can be an …
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Celebrates Preservation of Over 100,000 Acres of Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 18, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson proudly announced the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has now preserved over 100,000 acres of vital agricultural lands in Florida from development with the formal completion of rural land easements on Adams Ranch and Buck Island Ranch, previously approved by the Governor and Cabinet. “Reaching the milestone of preserving …
NACD Calls to Increase Funding for Conservation Priorities
This past Saturday, President Biden signed Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 appropriations legislation into law that provides funding for several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. And while the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) appreciates that the enactment of final federal spending legislation prevents a government shutdown and …