National Seed Strategy

NRCS Plant Materials Centers Support the National Seed Strategy

Dan Conservation, Environment, Seeds, USDA-NRCS

Plant development and studies at USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Plant Materials Centers (PMC) are a critical component of the multi-agency National Seed Strategy to ensure that private and public lands have the seed they need for revegetation and restoration projects. Native plant communities are nature-based solutions that provide essential environmental benefits, such as buffering against extreme weather, improving soil health and water, and conserving …

EQIP

USDA Accepts EQIP Applications on a Continuous Basis

Dan Conservation, Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). By providing financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers, EQIP addresses natural resource concerns and delivers environmental benefits. Those benefits include improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat. EQIP provides cost share assistance …

food waste

USDA Invests in Two Florida Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing more than $7.5 million in 26 cooperative agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) notes two Florida projects have been selected.  The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements are part of USDA’s …

florida

USDA NRCS Florida Holding State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

Florida agricultural leaders will have the opportunity to discuss natural resource priorities, as the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a State Technical Advisory Committee meeting on January 14th, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm Eastern. The meeting is designed to provide a report for Florida natural resource and program priorities and USDA decisions and to seek recommendations.  The …

farmers

Using 3D Technology to Help Farmers with Weed Suppression

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

Through a Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) partners are using 3D imagery to map cover crops and weeds with precision, helping farmers make informed decisions on how to control resistant weeds on their operations. While cover crops are helping curb weed growth, more tools are needed to support farmer success. NRCS CIG partners, North Carolina State University, Texas A&M …

investment

Record Investment in Private Lands Conservation in 2024

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA-NRCS

In Fiscal year 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supported more than 23,000 climate-focused conservation contracts funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. Those investments covered over 11 million acres, which contributed to the highest total investment in private lands conservation in any year in the history of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  The Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest …

Christmas tree

Give Your Christmas Tree Life After the Holidays

Dan Conservation, Environment, Soil

When finished with that Christmas tree, quite a few are sent to landfills. But according to a story from Clint Thompson, there are alternatives to recycle and repurpose those trees. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

rflpp

FDACS Accepting Applications for RFLPP

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced that applications are now being accepted from landowners for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The program partners with farmers and ranchers through rural lands protection easements to preserve working agricultural operations that contribute to Florida’s economy and produce our food and fiber. “Florida’s working agricultural lands are not just fields …

conservation

Deadline Nearing for Input on Climate Benefits of Conservation Practice Standards

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been accepting public input on how to improve conservation practice standards to maximize climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits, as supported by peer-reviewed scientific literature. But if you have yet to provide input, it is due by December 23, 2024.  Conservation practices providing climate benefits are delivered through existing NRCS conservation programs popular with producers, …

deadline

Alabama NRCS Easement Program Signup Deadline is December 20

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Alabama, Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners the deadline for the Fiscal Year 2025 Farm Bill Easement signup through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is December 20, 2024.  The programs available through ACEP-are the Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and the Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering …