The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind producers and landowners the statewide general sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) concludes Friday, December 13, 2024. EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address natural resource concerns and deliver environmental benefits. Those include improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, …
Highlands County Ranch Preserved through Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of more Florida farmland through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The Bar Rocking C Ranch, a 1,070-acre cattle operation in Highlands County, is being preserved through a rural lands protection easement for $4,300,000. Bar Rocking C Ranch is a cattle ranch in western Highlands County, approximately 8.3 miles …
USDA-NRCS Florida EQIP Disaster Assistance Sign-up Ends December 20
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Florida (NRCS-FL) continues to accept applications for disaster assistance funding through Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This is to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. But the sign-up period for this disaster assistance ends December 20, 2024. NRCS-FL will evaluate …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia EQIP Sign-Up Reminder
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind landowners and producers in the state that sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) ends December 13, 2024. This signup is an extension of the Fiscal Year 2025 EQIP statewide sign-up that was announced on October 1, 2024. EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address …
American Agriculture History Minute: Becoming Stewards of the Soil
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. We like to think that early American farmers and ranchers were good stewards of the soil, like farmers and ranchers are today, but history shows they were not. From the 1770s to the 1830s, pioneers moved into new lands that stretched from Kentucky to Alabama to Texas. Most were farmers who …
Public Input Needed on How to Improve Conservation Practice Standards
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently seeking public input on how to improve conservation practice standards. NRCS is looking to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. Conservation practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing conservation programs. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership …
USDA Invests in Projects to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture
Last month, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced a historic $1.5 billion for 92 partner-driven conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and this includes projects in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. Partners will provide $968 million in contributions to amplify the impact of the …
FDACS Highlights Agricultural Lands to be Preserved With Recently Announced Partner Funding
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Nov. 20, 2024) — Following the Florida Conservation Group’s recent announcement of $47 million in state and federal funding to preserve active agriculture operations in the Peace River Valley region, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is highlighting four proposed agricultural conservation projects that will receive funding. These agricultural operations in Southwest Florida will be permanently preserved from future development, as …
Ducks Unlimited, Sorghum Producers to Promote Water Conservation
Ducks Unlimited (DU) and National Sorghum Producers (NSP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperatively promote water conversation. This MOU aims to develop and expand a framework of cooperation between DU and NSP uniquely focused on water savings and market innovation. The partnership will support agricultural producers and surrounding rural communities by promoting water-efficient practices, expand critical waterfowl habitat that also …
Signup for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Continues
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners and eligible entities that signup continues for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While those interested can apply at any time, to be considered for the FY 2025 IRA funding opportunities, complete and eligible applications must be received by the following National cutoff dates for both Wetland Reserve …