The Biden-Harris administration announced their vision this week of how the U.S. can work together to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. It’s been titled “America the Beautiful” and the report outlines a locally led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. Here’s Agriculture Secretary …
Biden-Harris Administration Outlines “America the Beautiful” Initiative
Initial report details vision for 10-year, locally led and voluntary nationwide effort to restore and conserve America’s lands, waters, and wildlife WASHINGTON, May 6, 2021 – The Biden-Harris administration outlined a vision for how the United States can work collaboratively to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendations are contained in a report …
USDA Announces Listening Session on Impacts
WASHINGTON, May 4, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a virtual listening session for beginning farmers and ranchers to learn how COVID-19 impacted their farming operations and to get their feedback on USDA assistance. The listening session will take place on May 6, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Eastern time. “We invite beginning farmers and ranchers to …
Innovative Approaches to High Tunnel Systems in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida will invest $300,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for high tunnel systems that improve weather resiliency and improve degraded plant conditions. Grants from $5,000 to $75,000 will be awarded to applicants matching those funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis from non-federal sources that can include cash or in-kind contributions. U.S.-based non-federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply …
Georgia Announces a Healthy Forests Reserve Program Sign Up
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia has announced the application cutoff for the fiscal year 2021 Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP) funding. All interested Georgia landowners should apply by May 31, 2021. Through HFRP, NRCS can help landowners restore, enhance, and protect forestland resources on private lands through easements and financial assistance. HFRP aids in the recovery …
USDA Programs Designed to Help Various Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants to remind producers the American Rescue Plan includes provisions for USDA to pay up to 120% of loan balances, as of January 1, 2021, for Farm Service Agency (FSA) Direct and Guaranteed Farm Loans and Farm Storage Facility Loans debt relief to any socially disadvantaged producer who has a qualifying loan with FSA. In the …
USDA Seeking Proposals to Fund New, Unique RCPP Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to seek proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). They are looking for proposals that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales. In making selections. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will …
USDA Seeking Proposals to Fund New, Unique RCPP Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to seek proposals to fund up to $75 million in new, unique projects under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). They are looking for proposals that take innovative and non-traditional approaches to conservation solutions at the local, regional and landscape scales. In making selections. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will …
Commissioner Nikki Fried & FDACS Submit Public Comment on USDA Climate-Smart Agriculture Strategy
Tallahassee, Fla. – Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services submitted formal public comment on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s implementation of the President’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. As part of the Executive Order, the USDA was directed to collect stakeholder input on a climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy. Commissioner Fried …
USDA, RESTORE Council to Invest $31 Million in Gulf States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $31 million in funds has been earmarked for advance restoration work and to improve water quality in the Gulf Coast states impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. To mitigate the impact of oil spills in environmentally sensitive areas, it’s essential to use oil skimming services that can efficiently remove and contain the spilled …