GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS

The Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act seeks to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs. Congressman John Duarte, a farmer from California, is on the coalition behind the act. He says current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations of $900,000 disproportionately limit producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs.  “That sounds …

USDA Announces Historic Investment in Wildlife Conservation

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), USDA-NRCS, Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW)

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will expand its work on wildlife conservation by investing at least $500 million over the next five years. This includes leveraging all available conservation programs through both the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA). These commitments will ramp up the conservation assistance for farmers, ranchers, private forest owners and tribes …

USDA Announces Investment in Wildlife Conservation

Dan Agricultural Conservation Easement Program – Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE), Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), This Land of Ours, USDA-NRCS

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in wildlife conservation. That’s coming up on This land of Ours. The USDA this week expanded wildlife conservation investments by $500 million over the next five years. The effort leverages all available conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), through its Working Lands for Wildlife effort. The commitments will ramp up the …

USDA Accepts Over One Million Acres in CRP General Signup

Dan Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Environment, USDA-FSA, USDA-NRCS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week it is accepting more than 1 million acres in this year’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General sign-up. This is one of several signups that USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is holding for the program. “This year’s General CRP signup demonstrates the value and continued strength of this voluntary conservation program, which plays an …

NACD Pleased with Conservation Investments in Omnibus Bill

Dan Conservation, Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, Environment, Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), USDA-NRCS

The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is pleased the fiscal year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill passed the Congress and was sent to the White House for signing. They say the agreement supports voluntary, locally-led conservation efforts across the country by providing strong funding for critical conservation programs and initiatives. The package includes no cuts to mandatory spending for USDA farm bill …