The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) invites agricultural producers and private landowners to sign-up for the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which runs until June 28, 2024. Offered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), Grassland CRP is a voluntary working lands conservation program that enables participants to conserve grassland and provide important conservation benefits for wildlife, soil health, and carbon sequestration, …
Florida Panther Breeding Area Expands in Partnership with Citrus Producer
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Florida have partnered to purchase a conservation easement at G Road Grove, an active citrus grove and tree nursery in Florida panther habitat. This expands the protected area within the Florida Panther Dispersal Zone. It’s a 30,000-acre corridor in Hendry and Glades counties that helps connect the panthers’ current …
USDA Providing Funds for Conservation and Climate-Smart Ag Solutions
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing in partner-driven conservation and climate solutions. The NRCS is accepting project proposals until July 2, 2024 through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). It is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners adopt and expand conservation strategies to enhance natural resources while tackling the climate crisis. The $1.5 billion investment is being made …
USDA Investing in Restoration of Wetlands
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be investing up to $50 million in fiscal year 2024 through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). This effort is designed to support conservation partners with local projects that help protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands and also help mitigate climate change. Proposals are being accepted until August 16, 2024, as NRCS is …
Requesting Input for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation List
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Climate Office is seeking input on its Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities List. Each year, the Climate Office reviews NRCS conservation activities (practices and enhancements) to recommend additions, removals, or to provide further detail for listed activities. The list guides eligibility for funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. While NRCS collects feedback throughout the …
Application Deadline for Conservation Easements in Florida is Friday
Florida agricultural landowners are being reminded that Friday, May 31st is the application deadline for those interested in protecting the integrity of their property with a conservation easement. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) is accepting applications for the ACEP Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) during an additional signup period that runs through May 31, 2024. While NRCS does accept agricultural conservation easement …
USDA-NRCS Accepts EQIP Applications on a Continuous Basis
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners it accepts applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) on a continuous basis. While signups with certain batching dates are held from time to time, EQIP is one of the programs producers can sign-up for at any time of the year. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby notes EQIP and some of their other program applications are accepted on …
Proposals to Expand Conservation on Grazing Lands are Due May 26
Here’s a quick reminder that Sunday, May 26th is the deadline that the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will accept proposals through its Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI). They are investing up to $22 million in partnerships to expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands. Project proposals for GLCI Cooperative Agreements …
USDA NRCS in Florida to Host State Technical Committee Meeting June 12
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida (NRCS-FL) will host a State Technical Committee meeting on June 12, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) to provide a report for Florida natural resource and program priorities and USDA decisions and to seek recommendations from Florida agricultural leaders. Participation in the meeting is open to the public and will be available through …
Producers Reminded about USDA Conservation Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) encourages agricultural producers and forest landowners across the Southeast to participate in voluntary conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices in fiscal year 2024. NRCS is accepting 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 fiscal year 2024, NRCS …