The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a sign-up for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) for fiscal year 2024. The ACEP is a program that has two components, known as Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) and Wetlands Reserve Easements (WRE). Georgia State Conservationist Terrance O. Rudolph said, “ACEP is a great way for landowners and eligible entities to conserve, …
Conservation Funding Opportunities Available through CSP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds producers and private landowners there are several assistance opportunities through some of their key programs. That includes the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which helps you build on existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation. Whether you are looking to improve grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat, NRCS can custom design a CSP plan to …
USDA-NRCS Closing Some Florida Offices in Advance of Hurricane Idalia
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) has announced that due to Hurricane Idalia, their offices and some USDA service centers in North Central areas have temporarily closed through at least Wednesday, August 30, 2023. USDA NRCS officials hope to resume normal operations on Thursday, August 31st, unless extenuating circumstances prevents them from doing so. The temporary office closures include: State …
USDA Accepts EQIP Applications on a Continuous Basis
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners about the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). By providing financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers, EQIP addresses natural resource concerns and delivers environmental benefits. Those benefits include improved water and air quality, conserved ground and surface water, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation or improved or created wildlife habitat. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, notes EQIP and …
Mitigating Needle Blight: A Growing Economic Threat to Pine Forests
Pine forests and industrial wood plantations in the Southeast are crucial for the region’s economic sustainability. And due to this, there are many concerns right now with mitigating needle blight. Tim Albritton, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state staff forester in Alabama explains what they are finding their state. Some easily viewed symptoms may appear as chlorosis (yellowing), brown-red spots/bands, and needle …
USDA Partnership Delivers on Protecting Agricultural Resources
Feral swine is an issue not only here in the Southeast, but across other parts of the country too. And it has been five years since the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched their Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program (FSCP). It is designed to help agricultural producers and private landowners combat the costly impacts of feral swine. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation …
GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs
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 …
Urban Producers, Public Invited to Federal Advisory Committee Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to submit comments and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Committee. The virtual meeting will run from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Eastern on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. ? The Committee is part of USDA’s …
USDA Unveils Efforts to Streamline Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is streamlining its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to ultimately better help agricultural producers and private landowners conserve wetlands, productive farmlands and at-risk grasslands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is rolling out several improvements to the program, which has more than 5 million acres of land enrolled, in response to feedback from producers, landowners and conservation partners. …
New Resources for Working Lands for Wildlife Efforts
USDA’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) program recently received new resources in its efforts to improve wildlife habitat through conservation of working farmlands. The expansion includes close alignment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), centered around WLFW Frameworks for Conservation Action. USDA Farm Production and Conservation Under Secretary Robert Bonnie discusses some of the new investments and collaborations under the program. …