NRCS Chief on Conservation Funding

Randall Weiseman USDA-NRCS

The Bush administration had asked for an increase of almost eight billion dollars for conservation programs in the 2008 Farm bill, but they only received a little over half of what they requested. However, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster says that increase will help put more conservation on the ground nationwide.

WRP Hits Two Million

Randall Weiseman General, USDA-NRCS

Landowners have now enrolled more than 2 million acres in U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wetlands Reserve Program, a significant contribution toward increasing the Nation’s wetlands, according to Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Arlen Lancaster. New WRP enrollments in nine states, including Florida and Alabama, contributed to this conservation milestone.

Forestry Field Days Helped Promote NRCS Programs

Randall Weiseman Alabama, USDA-NRCS

Alabama’s forestry field days held around the state this month helped communicate some of the many programs that are available for forest landowners through NRCS, according to State Forester Tim Albritton. Listen to report:

Help for Limited Resource Farmers

Randall Weiseman Florida, USDA-NRCS

Helping beginning and limited resource farmers was a priority in the 2008 Farm Bill, which authorized increased payments for them under several conservation programs managed by USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service in Florida.

AL NRCS Programs Work Locally

Randall Weiseman Alabama, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is responsible for funding a lot of programs across the state each year, but their Assistant State Conservationist Steve Musser said they depend on the local offices to actually make the programs work.

FL NRCS Accepting Program Applications

Randall Weiseman USDA-NRCS

Applications for EQIP and WHIP are currently being accepted for funding consideration in fiscal year 2009 at USDA NRCS offices throughout Florida, according to State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. Listen to report:

FL Producers Benefit from NRCS and GLCI

Randall Weiseman Cattle, Florida, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida has a great working relationship with the Florida GLCI, which Carlos Suarez says has helped a lot of producers across the state improve their pasture and grazing land.

AL Farm Using Irrigated Grazing System

Randall Weiseman Alabama, Cattle, USDA-NRCS

This past week an Irrigated Intensive Grazing System Tour was held at the Thornton Stanley Farm in Morgan County, Alabama. Pictured are Mr. Stanley and Brian Brown, project leader with the Cotaco Creek Watershed who talked about this unique project. The Stanley Farm, located in North Alabama, is currently running 60 cows on 40 acres which have been divided into …