USDA Invests Millions in Partnerships to Restore Wetlands, Support Historically Underserved Producers

Dan Alabama, Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced they will invest $11 million in five Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects to bring together partners and landowners to voluntarily return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes. NRCS is funding two new projects and providing additional funding to three existing ones that prioritize high-impact projects and provide assistance to historically underserved farmers …

Alabama NRCS Offering Conservation Incentive Contracts

Dan Alabama, Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind producers and landowners the first program batching date for fiscal year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs is November 12, 2021. This includes both the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). And Alabama NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Steve Musser, says this year they are also offering …

EQIP, ACEP Signup Deadline is Friday in Georgia

Dan Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind producers and landowners that sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) ends this Friday, November 5th. Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph encourages those interested to contact their local USDA Service center. To be considered for fiscal year 2022 funding, EQIP and ACEP applications must be submitted by November …

NRCS in Florida Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Signup

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced they are now accepting applications from agricultural producers and forest landowners for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The program provides assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals, and related resources. CSP is for working lands, including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under Indian tribe jurisdiction. …

NCBA: Tell the EPA to Support Clean Water and Clear Rules

Dan Cattle, Environment, Water

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is urging cattle producers across the country to sign a letter they are sending to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking them to support clean water and clear rules. The letter, directed to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, notes that livestock producers across the country faced years of regulatory uncertainty related to the definition of “Waters of the …

Fish and Wildlife Service Seeks to Reverse Trump Era Rules

Dan Environment

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service seek to rescind two critical habitat regulations finalized in the last days of the Trump administration. In December 2020, FWS issued a final rule that revised the process for considering critical habitat exclusions under the Endangered Species Act. FWS re-evaluated the rule and concluded the conservation purposes of the …

ACEP Signup Continues in Georgia

Dan Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind producers and landowners that sign-up for a couple of programs continues. Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph said one of those programs is the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). But, to be considered for fiscal year 2022 funding, ACEP applications must be submitted by November 5, 2021. ACEP has two components, Agricultural Land …

Alabama NRCS Signup Includes CSP

Dan Alabama, Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind producers and landowners the first program batching date for Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Easements and Financial Assistance Programs is November 12, 2021. And NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs in Alabama, Steve Musser, says this includes the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Musser notes that while applications for CSP are accepted on a continuous …

Florida NRCS Looking Forward to a Good Fiscal Year

Dan Conservation, Environment, Florida, USDA-NRCS

October 1st was the beginning of a new fiscal year for the U.S. Government, and that includes many programs that farmers and ranchers across Florida take part in. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is off and rolling with the new year, and Florida State Conservationist Juan Hernandez is very optimistic about the year ahead. Through conservation programs, Florida NRCS provides technical and financial assistance …

NRCS Announces Conservation Funding Opportunities for 2022

Dan Conservation, Environment, USDA-NRCS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants producers and landowners to know there are various fiscal year 2022 assistance opportunities available for key programs. That includes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby told Southeast AgNet that while there are various batching period signups that take place, they do …