NRCS in Georgia Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Sign Up

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced they are accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Producers and landowners looking to build on conservation efforts while strengthening their operation can apply for technical and financial assistance through CSP. CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased …

NRCS Offers Conservation Funding Opportunities

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants producers and landowners to know there are various fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities available for key programs. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says while there are batching period signups that take place from time to time, they …

Center Providing Plant Management Solutions for the Southeast Region

The center providing plant management solutions for the Southeast region.  That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Jimmy Carter Plant Materials Center is one of a national network of 25 centers dedicated to providing vegetative solutions, and developing and transferring plant science technology to solve conservation issues. Located in Americus, Georgia, it’s one of four centers serving the Southeast …

Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities Available in Alabama

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind landowners about several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option and a Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative. But, applications for this round of funding will only be accepted through Friday, February 25th, 2022. …

Urban Agriculture Conservation Program Sign up Underway in Georgia

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia recently announced an urban agriculture focused sign up through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This targeted sign up is for farmers in Fulton, Gwinnett, and Henry counties, who are interested in producing local, healthy, sustainable food for their communities. EQIP is a voluntary conservation program which helps producers make conservation work for them. …

Alabama Announces Signup for EQIP WLFW Eastern Hellbender Initiative

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced signup is underway for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Eastern Hellbender Initiative. Alabama is joining Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina in this initiative which will include practices to improve water quality within streams. The Eastern Hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis) is the largest salamander in the U.S. with some reaching a weight of 2 …

ACEP Working to Protect Wetlands in Florida

While wetlands are some of Florida’s treasures, over the years we’ve seen an acreage decrease of nearly half. According to a U.S Fish and Wildlife Service report, over 20 million wetland acres have been lost since settlers began draining and diking them back in the 19th century. And of course now, population growth continues to threaten what remains. USDA’s Natural Resources …

DeSantis Takes Aim at Senate Environmental Proposal

(TALLAHASSEE, FL/NSF/Feb. 10, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday opposed a controversial Senate budget bill that critics say could affect Everglades restoration. But Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, defended the bill as protecting restoration efforts, including a massive reservoir. Members of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved the bill (SB 2508), which drew opposition from environmentalists, charter boat …

Signup Now for Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. This includes availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option and a Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry Initiative. These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities across the …