The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a virtual workshop and overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners on Monday, November 6, 2023. CSP is a unique program that offers additional conservation and financial opportunities. Florida CSP funding for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) was increased to $15.5 million. There will be two …
2024 Environmental Stewardship Award Program Nominations are Open
Nominations are now open for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environmental Stewardship Award. Established in 1991, the Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) annually recognizes outstanding stewardship practices and conservation achievements of cattle producers across the nation. Any individual, group or organization is eligible to nominate one individual or business raising or feeding cattle. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves, although …
Webinar: Expansion of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities and other FY24 Conservation Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public webinar Wednesday, October 25 at 2 pm eastern that will cover the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation activities available for Inflation Reduction Act funding. This is all through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The webinar will also cover available Inflation Reduction Act and …
RCPP Projects Signup Underway in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a ranking date for the conservation easement portions of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Interested producers must apply by November 17, 2023, for their application to be included in this batch of program funding. Georgia State Conservationist, Terrance O. Rudolph, and partner groups, announced this sign-up for four regionally-focused conservation projects funded through …
Signup Deadline Nearing for USDA Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds those interested the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. It’s through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, but the deadline for applications is October 30, 2023. NRCS is being directed to prioritize CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane …
Conservation Reserve Program Pays Over $1.77 Billion
Nearly $2 Billion is given out for conservation efforts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA has issued over $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The agency says the program is a critical piece of the Department’s efforts to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry on working lands. More …
Florida Ag Commissioner Seeks Funding for Conservation Program
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 17, 2023) — Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson is seeking $300 million for a program designed to keep swaths of rural land from commercial and residential development, triple the amount vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this year. Meanwhile, the Department of Environmental Protection is asking lawmakers for a slight increase next year in funding for the separate Florida Forever …
Hurricane Idalia Disaster Assistance Available for Florida Producers
Florida agricultural operations that were impacted by Hurricane Idalia and related weather events are being reminded there is technical and financial assistance available to help you recover. Producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages. The Natural …
Sign Up Underway for Fiscal Year ’24 NRCS Programs
Two of the flagship programs through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are accepting applications for project funding for the new fiscal year. This includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby talks about climate smart conservation practices and the partnership between landowners and NRCS technical staff to put these practices into action. Signups for pother NRCS …
Conservation Easement Program Signup Deadline is Friday in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind landowners in the state that Friday, October 6 is the deadline to sign-up for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2024. ACEP has two components, the Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). ACEP-WRE applications are accepted directly from producers on eligible lands. These easements will restore …