The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates, new incentives and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. This includes investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) projects and $25 million for …
USDA to Provide Debt Relief for Socially Disadvantaged Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wants producers to know 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. …
NRCS Thanks Earth Team Volunteers on Earth Day
Today is Earth Day. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been honoring individuals all this week from all walks of life who volunteer for Earth Team.  Earth Team volunteers help NRCS and districts carry out their conservation mission. The program allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to provide a wide range of services …
Earth Team Volunteers Help NRCS Accomplish its Mission
Earth day will be celebrated Thursday, April 22. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is honoring Earth Team volunteers and celebrating their many contributions to natural resource protection during National Volunteer week, which started April 18 and continues through April 24. Earth Team is a program that allows NRCS to stretch available resources by partnering volunteers with employees to …
Estimating the Greenhouse Gas Benefits of NRCS’ Applied Practices
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with agricultural producers to deliver voluntary climate solutions through climate-smart production decisions and practice applications. They have established conservation practice standards to guide the design, installation and maintenance of conservation practices. There are approximately 35 NRCS conservation practice standards that deliver quantifiable carbon sequestration and/or greenhouse gas reductions. On Thursday, April 29 at …
GCC Approves Research Funding
The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) recently approved $745,094 in research for the 2022 crop year and an additional $42,050 for the 2021 crop year. “We had our board meeting on March 31 where we went through our research proposals. It’s about shy of a $50,000 increase for 2021 to 2022. We also put in some additional money for 2021,” says …
Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett: Sparked the Creation of a Conservation Agency
Today’s farmers, ranchers, and private forest landowners are better prepared to maintain healthy and resilient soil due to the tireless efforts of Dr. Hugh Hammond Bennett, the Soil Conservation Service’s (SCS) first Chief and the Father of Soil Conservation, born 140 years ago on April 15, 1881. A maverick and visionary, Bennett knew that productive soils would help farmers, ranchers …
USDA Extends Deadline for Comments on Proposed Revisions
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced it is extending the deadline for public comments on proposed revisions to 23 national conservation practice standards. Comments on the proposed revisions, which were published March 9, are now due April 22. NRCS is encouraging agricultural producers, landowners, organizations, Tribes, and others that use its conservation practices to comment on these revisions. They …
Farmers to Families Food Box Program Will End Soon
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told House lawmakers Wednesday the Department of Agriculture is ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program. According to a story from Gary Crawford, it will end later this month. Sponsored ContentFL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted …
USDA Invests Millions in Specialty Crops Grants, Incentives to Purchase Fruits and Vegetables, and Help for Cotton Producers
USDA Also Informs Dairy Producers and Processors about New Dairy Donation Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the availability of more than $330 million to help agricultural producers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding announced today is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative launched …