(USDA/NRCS-FL) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking members for a new advisory committee on urban agriculture, part of a broader effort to focus on the needs of urban farmers. The 12-person committee will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the development of policies and outreach relating to urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural production practices as well …
Conservation Reserve Program General Signup Begins Today
(USDA/FSA) — Agricultural producers and private landowners interested in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) can sign up for the popular program beginning today, Jan. 4, 2021, until Feb. 12, 2021. The competitive program, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provides annual rental payments for land devoted to conservation purposes. “This signup for the Conservation Reserve Program gives producers and landowners an …
Secure Options for Signing, Sharing USDA Documents Online
Farmers and ranchers are being reminded when you work with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or Farm Service Agency (FSA), you can sign and share documents online with just a few clicks. By using Box or OneSpan, producers can digitally complete business transactions without leaving their homes or agricultural operations. Both services are free, secure and available for multiple …
USDA Seeks Public Input on Guidance Defining Nonindustrial Private Forest Land Eligibility
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on Nonindustrial Private Forest Land (NIPF) related to technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We want to ensure we continue program consistency across USDA agencies with how we are defining nonindustrial private forest lands,” said Juan Hernandez, NRCS State Conservationist in …
When is a Weed Not a Weed?
Reclamation and restoration plantings are usually developed with the goal of establishing a stable plant community. To determine what species may perform well in an area, land managers can refer to nearby reference sites or an Ecological Site Description. However, many restoration sites may not have the capability to support the species present in an undisturbed reference area. Plant species return to …
Florida NRCS Severe Erosion Signup Ends Dec 4
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is providing Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds to help agricultural producers address severe erosion and irrigation retrofit. But, applications for financial assistance are due Friday, December 4. Producers in these counties are eligible to apply: Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin, Gulf, Calhoun, and Bay counties. Florida State Conservationist, Juan Hernandez, …
USDA Updates National Conservation Handbook
We told you a couple of days ago U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) had completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards. The national handbook is reviewed every five years and contains some 170 standards for states to use. Kevin Norton, NRCS Acting Chief explains. Norton says USDA will continue to review its conservation practices …
EQIP Signup for Alabama Farmers Affected by Heavy Rains Ends Friday
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama wants to remind farmers that were affected by recent heavy rainfall, sign up for Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funds ends Friday, December 4, 2020. Alabama counties recently experienced extensive damage due to extreme wind speeds and high rainfall amounts which caused excessive soil erosion and damage …
USDA Updates Conservation Standards
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently completed and published updates to its set of National Conservation Practice Standards, which include 58 standards that have been updated or revised since August. According to Acting NRCS Chief, Kevin Norton, those standards cover a wide range of practices including irrigation water management. He notes that USDA’s conservation efforts include a …
What’s Happening on America’s Lands, Soils, and Waters?
(USDA/NRCS) — NRCS You may be curious about what’s happening on the lands across the United States over time. If we didn’t have the data collection of the National Resources Inventory (NRI), we could only guess. NRI collects data on natural resources, soil and water conservation practices, irrigation, and many other farming practices so we can not only know what …