usda

USDA Makes $1.5 Billion Available for Conservation and Climate-Smart Ag

Dan Climate Change, Conservation, Environment, Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an historic $1.5 billion was being made available in fiscal year 2024 to invest in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting project proposals until July 2, 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This will help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies …

nacd

NACD Sends Letter Requesting Funding for Conservation Programs

Dan Conservation, Environment, National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD), USDA-NRCS

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and a coalition of agriculture and conservation organizations recently sent a letter to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees requesting at least $1.2 billion for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) conservation operations and full authorized funding for farm bill conservation programs in Fiscal Year 2025. More than 85 conservation and agriculture groups signed …

southeast

Southeast a Leader in Prescribed Fire

Dan Environment, Forestry

The University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network uses prescribed burns to fight fire with fire. Fire Network Director Lenya N. Quinn-Davidson says the southeast is a leader in prescribed burns. “The Southeastern US has been the place where that cultural connection to prescribe fire was never lost in the same way that it was in the Western …

producers

USDA Seeks Partnerships to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands

Dan Conservation, Environment, Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI), Pasture, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $22 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) until May 26, 2024. Through GLCI, NRCS will use partnerships to increase technical …

applications

Applications for USDA Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants are Due April 9

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for grants to support urban agriculture and innovative production. Applications for USDA’s Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production grants are due April 9, 2024, via grants.gov. “This grant program has proven very popular and impactful in recent years, and we look forward to partnering with more communities nationwide to strengthen local food systems …

Florida agricultural land

FDACS Announces Protection of Over 8,000 Acres of Florida Agricultural Land

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS)

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/March 26, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the protection of over 8,000 acres of Florida agricultural land through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. With today’s approval by the Governor and Cabinet, approximately 8,349 acres of working agricultural lands will be preserved through cost-effective rural land protection easements …

honey bees

Researchers: Blue-Green Algae Can Protect Honey Bees

Dan Environment, Pollinators, Research, This Land of Ours, USDA-ARS

A new way to protect important pollinators. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Scientists at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) developed an edible antiviral treatment that can be used to protect honey bees against Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and other viruses. Honeybees are important agricultural pollinators. However, viruses, including DWV, are linked to the deaths of millions of …

conservation

USDA-NRCS Seeks Proposals from Conservation Minded Partners in Georgia

Dan Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is requesting proposals to assist with implementing some key priorities. The objective of this Notice of Funding is to obtain Technical Services and Projects to enhance Conservation Technical Assistance and Farm Bill Program Delivery across Georgia. But, proposals for this funding are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on March 23, 2024. Conservation minded …

fertilizer

Bill Solidifies Critical Fertilizer Minerals

Dan Agri-Business, Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer, Legislative

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) thanks the U.S. Senate for introducing bipartisan legislation to include phosphate and potash on the final list of critical minerals of the Department of the Interior. TFI says the legislation will recognize the importance of ensuring a strong and sustainable domestic fertilizer supply for American farmers. “The majority of the world’s phosphate and potash resources are concentrated …

Climate-Smart Easements

USDA-NRCS Investing in Climate-Smart Easements

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced an investment of about $138 million in Climate-Smart Easements through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). The funding, from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is the largest climate investment in history. The selected ACEP projects are part of a broad investment in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. Carrie Lindig, NRCS Easement Program Division Director, explains how the Southeast can be an …