USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind historically underserved producers, who participate in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr explains how this program works. (USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds historically underserved producers, who are participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), of the advance payment option. …
Deadline Nearing for Public Comments on CSP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been seeking public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP, the nation’s largest conservation program in terms of participating land, is designed to help farmers have more robust conservation activities. But they want to remind landowners the deadline to make those comments in January 13th. Here’s NRCS Associate Chief, Kevin Norton. And Norton …
NRCS Plant Guides Help Landowners With Their Planting Projects
(USDA/NRCS) — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) through the PLANTS Database provides conservation plant information to conservation planners, researchers, and others using plants in their natural resource conservation projects. The development of Plant Guides are a cooperative effort between the NRCS National Plant Data Team and the NRCS Plant Materials Program. Plant Materials Centers and specialists contributes many of the Plant Guides to …
USDA Invites Input on Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Rule
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comments on its interim rule for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). ACEP is USDA’s premier conservation easement program, helping landowners protect working agricultural lands and wetlands. The rule – now available on the Federal Register – takes effect on publication and includes changes to the …
USDA Taking Public Comments on EQIP Interim Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners they are still taking public comments on the interim rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). NRCS Chief, Matt Lohr, discusses some of the changes proposed in the interim final rule for EQIP reauthorized under the 2018 Farm Bill. (audio) USDA’s flagship program helps producers plan and …
USDA Still Taking Input on CSP Rule
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still seeking public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP, the nation’s largest conservation program in terms of participating land, is designed to help farmers have more robust conservation activities. The program provides many benefits that include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience …
USDA Taking Input on CSP Rule
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind producers they are still seeking public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The changes include Increasing payment rates for adoption of cover crop rotations, Introducing a new supplemental payment for advanced grazing management, Creating one-time payment for developing a comprehensive conservation plan and Providing specific …
Mapping Soils in the Florida Everglades
During the South Florida sweltering heat this past August, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Scientists Craig Prink and Martin Figueroa were out collecting soil samples in the Everglades in an effort to build a map that helps land managers understand resource concerns affecting the ecosystem, water quality and wildlife. Martin said, “This is the first digital soil map developed in Florida, on …
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation Across the Country
(USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding about $12.5 million in grants to support the development of innovative systems and technologies for private lands conservation. The funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which is funding the future of agriculture and conservation through grants to organizations and universities that are developing the next generation …
USDA Invites Input on EQIP Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comments on its interim rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The rule, which is now available on the Federal Register, will take effect upon publication and includes changes to the program prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill. In a release, NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr said “The …