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Applications Due Tuesday for Cover Crop Initiative in Georgia

Dan Conservation, Cover Crops, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind agricultural producers about several new and expanded opportunities for conservation programs that lend to climate-smart agriculture production in fiscal year 2022. Among these is the Cover Crop Initiative (CCI), but signup for this ends January 25, 2022. CCI incentivizes the use of cover crops on Georgia’s agricultural land, and the counties …

conservation

USDA-NRCS in Florida Web Conference is Next Week

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida would like to remind producers and landowners across the state that they will be conducting a State Technical Committee meeting via web conference on Wednesday, January 26, from 10:00 am-12:00 pm Eastern. The NRCS meeting, which is open to the public, will provide a report for natural resource and program priority decisions and they …

Environmental Groups Wary of Senate ‘Heartland’ Plan

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Irrigation, Water, Wetland

(TALLAHASSEE/January 18, 2022) — Florida lawmakers could further carve up the use of voter-approved conservation money, after a Leon County circuit judge this month rejected a challenge by environmental groups to how money has been spent. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday approved a measure (SB 1400) that would provide $20 million a year to help protect …

conservation assistance

USDA Expanding Access to Conservation Assistance

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were investing $50 million in 118 partnerships to expand access to conservation assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will fund two-year projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are new to farming, low income, socially disadvantaged or military …

florida

USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities in Florida

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. “Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption …

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Conservation Program Opportunities Support Climate Smart Agriculture in Alabama

Dan Alabama, Climate Change, Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind producers and landowners across the state about several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. These updates include availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. It is a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative which includes added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll …

USDA Renews Partnership with Federation of Southern Cooperatives

Dan Conservation, Environment, Forestry, USDA-NRCS

During an event held Monday in East Point, Ga., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined the Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, Cornelius Blanding, to sign an agreement signifying a continued partnership between USDA and the nonprofit organization. The partnership aims to increase the number of minority landowners in the South and support them in sustainable forestry and …

conservation

Conservation Effort Completed at Florida’s Big Bend

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

According to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Conservation Fund, a multi-year effort to conserve working forestlands and habitat along Florida’s Big Bend coast, has been completed. The “Gulf of Mexico – Forest to Sea” project will provide a vast buffer of conservation lands for wildlife habitat, water quality and quantity, and resilience against extreme weather and climate change. The effort was …

conservation

USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through CREP

Dan Conservation, USDA-FSA

(WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021)?— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leveraging its authorities under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to bring in new types of partners and ultimately expand opportunities in voluntary conservation for the country’s agricultural producers and private landowners. USDA has updated CREP’s rule regarding matching fund requirements and invested in additional staff to work directly with partners for streamlined, partner-driven conservation …

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CSP Signup in Florida Ends Dec. 10

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind agricultural producers and forest landowners they are accepting applications for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). But the deadline to apply to be considered for funding in the current cycle is December 10, 2021. CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial forestland as well as tribal lands. The program helps producers …