USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to remind producers and landowners they can seek technical or financial assistance year-round. You may be aware that NRCS held a signup that ended last week. And while applications for funding is completed periodically through batching periods with specific cutoff dates, Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph wants you to know that applications …
Ag Groups Pleased With Passage of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The U.S. House of Representatives did pass H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It is a bipartisan infrastructure package focused on creating millions of American jobs, rebuilding our nation’s roads and bridges, and combatting the climate crisis. Many in agriculture were pleased with passage of the legislation and now look forward to the bill going to President …
USDA-NRCS Program Application Ranking Date in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. The State Technical Committee, composed of conservation and agricultural-related agency and organization representatives, works with NRCS to identify resource priorities and how best to address them. NRCS then sets state-specific, ranking dates to evaluate applications for funding that account for producer needs, staff workload and ensure potential …
USDA Invests Millions in Partnerships to Restore Wetlands, Support Historically Underserved Producers
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 …