The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) is accepting applications for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The RCPP promotes coordination of NRCS conservation activities with partners that offer value-added contributions to expand the collective ability to address on-farm, watershed, and regional natural resource concerns. …
FY24 Signup Underway for NRCS Alabama’s Easement and Financial Assistance Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) has announced that signups are underway for Fiscal Year 2024 Farm Bill Easement and Financial Assistance Programs. The applicable programs include: More specifically: ACEP–WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities …
ACEP Applications Due by October 6 in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS in GA) wants to remind landowners and eligible entities that applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2024 must be submitted by October 6, 2023. The ACEP, created through the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land …
USDA Sees Record Interest in Conservation and Clean Energy Programs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has seen record interest in the conservation and clean energy programs that received funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The IRA made nearly $20 billion available over five years for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address continuous high demand for popular conservation programs. This will help farmers and ranchers implement expanded conservation practices …
Funding Opportunities through Conservation Innovation Grants
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced the availability of $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. Through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, NRCS is being directed to prioritize CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, as well as other projects that have climate …
Deadlines Approaching for AIM for Climate Components
Some important deadlines are coming up for USDA climate programs. Rod Bain has more in today’s This Land of Ours Report. What’s the latest news from the agriculture innovation mission for climate? The US-United Arab Emirates co-chaired AIM for Climate Initiative sponsors a webinar the last week of September on the food systems and agriculture innovation agenda highlighting the upcoming …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Cost-Share Assistance for Agricultural Producers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia
~ Maximum grant for eligible producers raised from $50,000 to $150,000 ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 21,2023) — Today, Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced a cost-share assistance program to support agricultural producers severely impacted by Hurricane Idalia. The cost-share assistance program will be administered though the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy and will support …
Conservation Innovation Grant Opportunities Available
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has made available $65 million through two funding opportunities to further natural resource conservation on private lands. It’s all through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, where NRCS is prioritizing CIG On-Farm Trials projects that use diet and feed management to reduce enteric methane emissions from ruminants, as well as other projects that have climate mitigation benefits. …
DeSantis, Cabinet Back Conservation Deals
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 18, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on Monday quickly approved $141 million in deals that will help preserve land from the Panhandle to Southwest Florida. During a meeting held by telephone, DeSantis and Cabinet members supported three land purchases under the Florida Forever program. They also approved buying three conservation easements, which help preserve …
USDA Announces Projects to Boost Access to Green Space for Millions
Historic funding from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act will increase urban tree cover, boost equitable access to nature, and improve climate resilience in communities covered by the Justice40 Initiative (USDA/WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2023) — Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service is awarding more than $1 billion in competitive grants to plant and maintain …