Up to $1 million will be invested in Conservation Innovation Grants (NRCS-FL/GAINESVILLE, FL/May 9, 2023) — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida will invest up to $1,000,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for urban agriculture, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and soil health. The deadline to submit a proposal for this CIG grant funding opportunity …
USDA Looking to Fill Soil Conservation Positions
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs. A part of this initiative, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently opened job announcements for soil conservationists. This batch of job openings is part of a broader effort by NRCS to help producers develop conservation …
Legislation Seeks to Increase USDA Technical Service Providers
Legislation introduced in the U.S. House and Senate last week seeks to help address America’s shortage of Technical Service Providers at the Department of Agriculture. Technical Service Providers help producers deploy and manage conservation programs through one-on-one assistance. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Terry Cosby recently projected his agency would need to hire between 3,000 and 4,000 employees …
USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions across U.S. as Part of Broader Effort to Implement the Inflation Reduction Act
(USDA-NRCS/WASHINGTON/May 5, 2023) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs, which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. For example, NRCS opened job announcements this week for soil conservationists. This batch of job openings is part of a broader effort …
Forest Management and Water Yield Tool Development and Synthesis of Outcomes for Embedded Wetlands
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continues to promote wetlands and the importance they provide, including a suite of ecosystem services. This involves everything from fish and wildlife habitat, microclimate regulation, nutrient and sediment capture and storage, water storage to reduce flooding, and carbon storage with resulting benefits for climate change mitigation. The scope of these services may be significantly affected …
Alabama Sign-Up Deadline for Urban Agriculture Initiative is May 15
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama recently extended the deadline to submit applications for the Urban Agriculture Initiative to Monday, May 15. Alabama is offering financial assistance to assist urban growers in areas such as: Soil Health, Erosion Control, Irrigation and Water Conservation, Weeds and Pests, Pollinator Habitat, and High Tunnels. Five Urbanized Areas within the State are a part of …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-up for Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production
State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph, has announced a sign-up for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This Georgia NRCS sign-up follows a recent national announcement detailing the USDA’s multi-agency approach to assist producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to achieve organic certification. Only those producers are eligible to apply for this …
Conservation Easement Program Sign-up for Florida Landowners Continues
Florida landowners interested in aligning their land uses with conservation values are reminded about an opportunity to apply for a conservation easement program. This program is in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida (NRCS-FL) and the North Florida Land Trust (NFLT). Applications will be accepted through June 16, 2023 for the fiscal year 2023 NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). The RCPP promotes …
Sign-up for IRA Funded Conservation Programs Ends May 5 in Georgia
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia reminds producers sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that utilize funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) ends May 5th. This signup is utilizing IRA funding to provide direct climate mitigation benefits and expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land. …
NRCS Continues to Broaden Reach of Conservation
The past couple of years, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work helping agricultural producers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands. These NRCS efforts helped conserve natural resources like soil, water and wildlife while delivering climate solutions and boosting producers’ bottom lines. NRCS provided targeted funding for climate-smart agriculture and forestry conservation practices through …