The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a virtual workshop and overview of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for agricultural producers and non-industrial, private forest landowners on Monday, November 6, 2023. CSP is a unique program that offers additional conservation and financial opportunities. Florida CSP funding for fiscal year 2024 (FY2024) was increased to $15.5 million. There will be two …
USDA Funding Opportunities for Conservation Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently announced funding opportunities available through the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities. Will Jordan has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response …
Christmas Tree Cutting in National Forests
An easier way to legally get your Christmas tree from a national forest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For several years, the Forest Service has offered Christmas tree permit sales through local offices, but now it’s even easier. Christmas tree permits for those wishing to cut their tree in their local or favorite National Forest are now …
Georgia Producers Reminded about EQIP Sign-Up
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is still accepting applications for a Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunity from agricultural and forest producers. This signup, which runs until November 17, 2023, is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). While customers can apply for EQIP year-round, this application ranking date announcement is for all general EQIP, special initiatives, as well as the …
Webinar: Expansion of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities and other FY24 Conservation Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will hold a public webinar Wednesday, October 25 at 2 pm eastern that will cover the newly expanded list of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation activities available for Inflation Reduction Act funding. This is all through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The webinar will also cover available Inflation Reduction Act and …
Higher Interest Rates, Strong Dollar Affecting Rural Economies
CoBank says the combination of high interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar is beginning to take a disproportionate toll on rural industries like agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing. Most international transactions are still conducted in dollars, and a strong dollar makes U.S. exports more expensive and imports cheaper. CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange says that disproportionately hurts the backbone of the rural …
EQIP Sign-Up Underway in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a Fiscal Year 2024 statewide federal assistance opportunity for agricultural and forest producers. This is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the signup runs until November 17, 2023. It will utilize 2018 Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. While customers can apply year-round, this application ranking date …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Preliminary Damage Assessment for Timber Following Hurricane Idalia
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Sept. 25, 2023) — Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the release of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ preliminary damage assessment of timber following Hurricane Idalia. The preliminary assessment estimated that Hurricane Idalia damaged 289,096 acres of timber at a value of $64,751,255. “For this part of the state in particular – which relies heavily on the …
Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Cost-Share Assistance for Agricultural Producers Impacted by Hurricane IdaliaÂ
~ 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 …
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 …