The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues to promote wetlands and the importance they provide, including a suite of ecosystem services. This involves everything from fish and wildlife habitat, microclimate regulation, nutrient and sediment capture and storage, water storage to reduce flooding, and carbon storage with resulting benefits for climate change mitigation. The scope of these services may be significantly affected …
Florida House, Senate Nail Down Spending Plan
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/May 1, 2023) — After what they called the “smoothest” budget negotiations in years, House and Senate leaders on Monday finished working out details of a spending plan that is expected to top $116 billion. The plan for the fiscal year that will start July 1 would be more than $6 billion larger than the budget for the current …
Alabama Sign-Up Deadline for Urban Agriculture Initiative is May 15
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama recently extended the deadline to submit applications for the Urban Agriculture Initiative to Monday, May 15. Alabama is offering financial assistance to assist urban growers in areas such as: Soil Health, Erosion Control, Irrigation and Water Conservation, Weeds and Pests, Pollinator Habitat, and High Tunnels. Five Urbanized Areas within the State are a part of …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-up for Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production
State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph, has announced a sign-up for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This Georgia NRCS sign-up follows a recent national announcement detailing the USDA’s multi-agency approach to assist producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to achieve organic certification. Only those producers are eligible to apply for this …
Conservation Easement Program Sign-up for Florida Landowners Continues
Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values are reminded about an opportunity to apply for a conservation easement program. This program is in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida (NRCS-FL) and the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT). Applications will be accepted through June 16, 2023 for the fiscal year 2023 NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP promotes …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Applauds Federal Legislation Introduced to Conserve Florida Agricultural Lands
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/April 27, 2023) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued the following statement regarding the Conservation Reserve Program Amendments Act introduced by Senator Marco Rubio, Representative Scott Franklin, and Representative Darren Soto to conserve citrus groves that are at risk of development: “Food security is national security, and we’re working here in Florida to preserve for future generations as much …
Sign-up for IRA Funded Conservation Programs Ends May 5 in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds producers sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that utilize funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ends May 5th. This signup is utilizing IRA funding to provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land. …
NRCS Continues to Broaden Reach of Conservation
The past couple of years, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work helping agricultural producers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands. These NRCS efforts helped conserve natural resources like soil, water and wildlife while delivering climate solutions and boosting producers’ bottom lines. NRCS provided targeted funding for climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation practices through …
Alabama Farm Honored with Environmental Stewardship Award
It was announced back in February during the Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, that Carter Cattle Company, LLC, in Pintlala, Alabama, was selected as one of seven regional winners of the 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP). The farm represents the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Region Two. Then this week, during the annual NCBA’s Fly-in Legislative Conference in Washington D.C., it was announced that Carter …
Alabama Cattlemen in Washington D.C. This Week
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is hosting their annual Fly-in Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. this week. It’s an opportunity for producers from across the country to advocate for the beef cattle industry. And according to Erin Beasley, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) executive vice president, ACA members are on hand to represent the state of Alabama. The 2022 Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) overall winner will be …