The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a new effort to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders. As part of the American Climate Corps (ACC) initiative, the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) will provide technical training and career pathway opportunities for young people, helping them deliver economic benefits through climate-smart agriculture solutions for farmers and ranchers across the …
Record Investment in Private Lands Conservation
It was announced Tuesday that the Biden Administration made record investments in private lands conservation in fiscal year 2023. This was all through resources made available by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), with the largest investment in climate action. In fiscal year 2023, USDA supported more than 45,000 conservation contracts, more than any year in the 89-year history of USDA’s Natural Resources …
CSP Sign-up is Underway in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced sign-up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is underway. Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on previous conservation efforts and building climate resiliency should consider one of two funding opportunities available to them this year and apply by March 8. “The Conservation Stewardship Program continues to help our customers invest in more …
Sign Up Continues for NRCS Programs in Florida
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) continues to accept applications for two of their flagship programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS Chief Terry Cosby talks about climate smart conservation practices and the partnership between landowners and NRCS technical staff to put these practices into action. Learn more about these and other programs that could benefit your …
Apply Now for RCPP in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners in eligible watersheds it is accepting applications for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The eligible watersheds are located within Blount, Etowah, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Marshall, and St. Clair counties. The Nature Conservancy in Alabama plans to reduce sedimentation, pollution, nutrient runoff, and other stresses within several waterbodies in …
USDA Investing in Food Waste Reduction Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it is investing approximately $11.5 million in agreements that support innovative, scalable waste management plans to reduce and divert food waste from landfills. The Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) cooperative agreements, which are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, are part of USDA’s broad support for urban agriculture. The program is jointly …
USDA Boosting Farm Conservation Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to make historic investments in conservation and climate change programs. For fiscal year 2024, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $3 billion in Inflation Reduction Act funds to invest in climate-smart mitigation activities. This year, NRCS expanded the list of those activities as well as expanded priority areas for grasslands, wetlands and farmlands at risk of …
Georgia Producers Encouraged to Apply for USDA Conservation Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) is encouraging agricultural producers and forest landowners in the state to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. NRCS continues to accept applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which help a wide variety of producers, including urban and organic producers. For …
Florida NRCS Releases 2023 Report of Conservation Accomplishments
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) recently released its annual report of accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2023, which highlights the impacts of federal and partner investments toward protecting and improving natural resources in Florida. According to the new report NRCS in Florida, from September 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, obligated $44.6 million in financial assistance for Farm Bill …
Alabama Now Accepting FY2024 RCPP Applications
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) has announced it is accepting applications for its Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) through February 16th, 2024. In Alabama, The Nature Conservancy plans to reduce sedimentation, pollution, nutrient runoff, and other stresses within several waterbodies in the Paint Rock, Big Canoe Creek, and Locust Fork watersheds. Implementing streambank restoration practices along these targeted waterbodies will improve water quality for …