Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they were investing $50 million in 118 partnerships to expand access to conservation assistance for climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The Equity Conservation Cooperative Agreements, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), will fund two-year projects to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to farmers who are new to farming, low income, socially disadvantaged or military …
USDA Offers Expanded Conservation Program Opportunities in Florida
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida has announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate-smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. “Climate change is happening, and America’s agricultural communities are on the frontlines,” NRCS State Conservationist Juan Hernandez said. “We have to continue to support and expand the adoption …
Conservation Program Opportunities Support Climate Smart Agriculture in Alabama
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind producers and landowners across the state about several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. These updates include availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option. It is a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative which includes added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll …
Groups Want Dicamba Lawsuit Revived
A group of environmental organizations led by the Center for Food Safety and the Center for Biological Diversity wants new life given to their lawsuit over dicamba registrations. DTN says the groups are asking a federal court to lift a stay and speed up their lawsuit demanding that the Environmental Protection Agency vacate the 2020 dicamba registrations of Engenia, Tavium, …
USDA Renews Partnership with Federation of Southern Cooperatives
During an event held Monday in East Point, Ga., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined the Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, Cornelius Blanding, to sign an agreement signifying a continued partnership between USDA and the nonprofit organization. The partnership aims to increase the number of minority landowners in the South and support them in sustainable forestry and …
Corn, Biofuel Groups Testify to EPA on RFS
Corn and biofuel groups Tuesday made comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its Renewable Fuel Standard proposal. EPA proposes Renewable Volume Obligations that Growth Energy says would undercut blending requirements for biofuel in 2021, and retroactively waive 2.96 billion gallons from 2020 RVOs finalized almost two years ago. Under the proposal, 2022 volumes return to statutory levels, and the …
EPA Working with Agriculture
Over the years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ruled on various topics, sometimes to the praise of those in agriculture, while sometimes not. During a National farm Broadcasters Association event in Kansas City last month, EPA Region 7 Agriculture Advisor Doug Jones told AgNet media, they want to engage with farmers and ranchers. Jones says they encourage people to …
Carbon Sequestration’s New Innovations and Opportunities
Carbon sequestration via agriculture could become accelerated in coming years. According to a story from Rod Bain, this is thanks to both new innovations and opportunities for monetary and ecosystem benefits. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …
Conservation Effort Completed at Florida’s Big Bend
According to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Conservation Fund, a multi-year effort to conserve working forestlands and habitat along Florida’s Big Bend coast, has been completed. The “Gulf of Mexico – Forest to Sea” project will provide a vast buffer of conservation lands for wildlife habitat, water quality and quantity, and resilience against extreme weather and climate change. The effort was …
USDA Expands Partnerships for Conservation Through CREP
(WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2021)?— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is leveraging its authorities under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) to bring in new types of partners and ultimately expand opportunities in voluntary conservation for the country’s agricultural producers and private landowners. USDA has updated CREP’s rule regarding matching fund requirements and invested in additional staff to work directly with partners for streamlined, partner-driven conservation …