Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until September 1,2021 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2022 funding. Through EQIP, agricultural landowners can receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other …
Everglades Restoration Update
(NSF) — A project to remove a section of the Old Tamiami Trail roadbed in a Miami-Dade County section of the Everglades has been finished months ahead of schedule. The completion of the project, which was announced Tuesday morning, will allow more fresh water to freely flow south through the Everglades. The road, which was built nearly 100 years ago, …
Developing a Conservation Plan
Developing a conservation plan through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help landowners identify objectives and analyze the natural resource issues on that land. These are related to soil, water, animals, plants, air, energy and human interaction. NRCS Deputy Chief for Programs, Jimmy Bramblett, says everyone can take advantage of the benefits of conservation. Bramblett notes how water is …
USDA Seeking Partnerships to Restore Wetland Ecosystems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind conservation partners that they will be investing up to $17 million to help protect and restore critical wetlands on agricultural lands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is prioritizing proposals that focus on assisting historically underserved producers conserving wetlands. But, the deadline for proposals from partners …
NACD Celebrates 75th Anniversary
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) celebrated its 75th anniversary Sunday in Chicago, Illinois, where the association was founded in 1946. The event featured remarks from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, as well as a historical presentation from Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Historian Joe Otto. Vilsack said, “NACD and NRCS …
South Florida Farm Bill Conservation Programs Workshop
A workshop about USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial assistance for local farmers, nursery operators, and private forestland owners for conservation practices will be held July 21 from 9 a.m.-noon. The workshop will provide information about conservation planning for successful participation, basic eligibility, and what each program has to offer. The event will be held at the Miami-Dade County Cooperative Extension …
USDA Announces Dates for CRP Grasslands Signups
Signup has opened for agricultural producers and landowners to apply for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated signup options to provide greater incentives for producers and increase the program’s conservation and climate benefits, including setting a minimum rental rate and identifying two national priority zones. The CRP Grassland signup is competitive, and USDA’s …
Deadline to Signup for EQIP Practice in Georgia is Thursday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds producers and landowners in the state that they are holding a targeted signup to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry through voluntary conservation practices. But, the deadline to sign up for this assistance is Thursday, July 15. Terrance O. Rudolph, state conservationist for NRCS in Georgia said, “We will use this EQIP signup to …
Deadline Nearing to Apply for Conservation Grants in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind folks across the state they will be investing $300,000 in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. Grants from $5,000 to $75,000 will be awarded to applicants matching those funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-federal sources that can include cash or in-kind …
NRCS Providing Conservation Programs for Ag Producers
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers a variety of voluntary programs to eligible landowners and agricultural producers to provide financial and technical assistance to help manage natural resources in a sustainable manner. Through these programs, the agency approves contracts to provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns or opportunities to help save energy, …