The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers there is still time to respond to the Conservation Practice Adoption Motivations Survey over the coming weeks. In late May, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) mailed the survey to nearly 2,700 farmers and ranchers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. A joint project between NASS and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), …
USDA Awards $7.85 Million to Florida Forest to Gulf Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is awarding $197 million for 41 locally led conservation projects through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). This includes a project in Florida, the Alachua Conservation Trust’s (ACT) Forest to Gulf RCPP. It has been awarded $7.85 million to expand conservation programs in the North Central part of the state, and is the …
USDA Investing in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program in Georgia
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this month it is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). This grant program supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits and other organizations. Since 2016, USDA’s Natural Resources …
Florida Conservation Deals Get State Approval
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/August 23, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved a series of land deals, including a $37.8 million plan to conserve nearly 12,000 acres in DeSoto and Hardee counties. The state will pay Carlton Horse Creek Partners, LLC, for what is known as a conservation easement on 11,958 acres. Generally, conservation easements shield land from development, …
New Water Conservation System Practice Approved in Florida
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved a new conservation practice. It is a Water Conservation System commonly known as an Evaporative Cooling Pad that will help reduce water and energy while improving plant productivity. This conservation practice is available for Florida nursery operations and existing greenhouses, and can also be used for cooling livestock and poultry facilities. …
USDA-NRCS Offers CIG On-Farm Trial Funding
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced they are accepting applications for project funding under USDA’s Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Innovation Trial Program. Through CIG, partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby explains the intent behind the CIG On Farm Innovation …
Florida Agricultural Landowners Encouraged to Apply for EQIP
Agricultural producers and landowners in Florida are encouraged to apply to participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida can provide producers and landowners with financial resources and one-on-one help to plan and implement improvements that address resource concerns. “Using EQIP conservation practices can lead to cleaner water and air, healthier soil and better wildlife …
Conservation Grants Available
Funding for more conservation programs in agriculture. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA this week announced it’s investing $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. This year’s funding priorities are climate-smart agricultural solutions, irrigation water management, nutrient management, and soil health. Through CIG, partners work to address our …
Conservation Innovation Grants Available in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will invest up to $900,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for agricultural resource priorities in the state. Fiscal Year 2022 conservation resource priorities for the NRCS in Florida are: climate resilience, grazing, soil health, and urban agriculture. Grants from $25,000 to $250,000 will be awarded to applicants matching those funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis …
Apply Now for Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will invest $25 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials program. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) implements the CIG program, where partners work to address our nation’s water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife habitat challenges, all while improving agricultural operations. The On-Farm …