| Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what’s driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
NACD: NACD Applauds Conservation Reserve Program Announcement 05/03/22
“NACD applauds USDA and commends them for their leadership in continuing to administer this critical program,” said NACD President Michael Crowder. “CRP is a significant component to conservation that, over the years, has played a key role in restoring the environment and ensuring the sustainability of our agricultural lands.”
05/03/22
The Eastern Connecticut Conservation District (ECCD) considers itself fortunate to own 85 acres of land in Brooklyn, Connecticut. The land features a wide variety of habitats and natural resources, and the ECCD is currently working to develop an outdoor education center.
NACD: NACD Announces New Recipients Through Urban Agriculture Conservation Grants Initiative 05/04/22
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) awarded nearly $1 million in funding through the Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Grant initiative to 31 conservation districts across 15 states.
Reuters: White House seeks $500 mln for farmers to grow more wheat, pay for market loans By Leah Douglas and P.J. Huffstutter | Washington, DC 04/28/22
The Biden administration is asking Congress to approve $500 million for the farm sector, in a bid to woo U.S. wheat producers to double-crop their fields, and boost how much the federal government will spend on short-term loans to farmers who grow certain food crops.
Forbes: Honeybees Are Not “In Decline”, But The Beekeeping Industry Does Face Challenges By Steven Savage 04/30/22
Although the industry is doing reasonably well, as with other agricultural enterprises, the beekeeping industry still has to deal with important issues.
Agri-Pulse: USDA accepts 2 million CRP acres amid hot commodity market 05/03/22
(Subscriber Only) The Agriculture Department announced Tuesday that it accepted about 2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program during this year’s general signup, well short of what could be needed to keep CRP from shrinking this year.
Successful Farming: High Commodity Prices Shift Conservation Lands to Crop Fields By Chuck Abbott 05/04/22
Landowners told the USDA they will take 1.7 million acres out of the long-term Conservation Reserve and put it back into crop production, betting on profits from sky-high commodity prices.
Smithsonian Magazine: One in Five Reptiles Worldwide Are Threatened With Extinction By Margaret Osborne 05/04/22
A new study assessing over 10,000 reptile species found almost 2,000 are categorized as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.
The Conversation: Wet agriculture could protect peatlands and climate, but remains largely unexplored By Rafael Ziegler, Magali Simard, and Rashma Eldeeb 05/04/22
Across the globe, peatlands are under threat and their destruction is contributing to climate change. Damaged peatlands are responsible for roughly five per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
American Ag Network: NACD Applauds CRP Announcement By Jesse Allen 05/05/22
The National Association of Conservation Districts was pleased to hear that USDA accepted offers of more than two million acres in Conservation Reserve Program enrollment.
KITV4: A community effort to preserve agricultural land in a former plantation town By Marisa Yamane | Waialua, HI | Pacific Region 04/28/22
Some residents in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore are trying to stop a landowner from building on land that is meant for farming.
UpNorthLive: Stabenow gives Michigan farmers first say in federal bill to update agricultural policies By Rachel Louise Just | Traverse City, MI | North Central Region 04/29/22
Key federal legislation setting the tone for farming and food practices across the country is being updated, and Michigan was the first state to get a say in it.
The Cedar Mill News: Preserving the county’s disappearing farmland By Annie Bronez | Portland, OR | Pacific Region 04/30/22
Preserving our farmland requires a variety of approaches and involvement from the entire community. Farmers can ensure their property is protected through a conservation easement. Easement holders, such as land trusts or government agencies like Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District, enforce the easement once the property changes hands.
Fox6: ‘No Mow May:’ How Wisconsin residents can help pollinators By Spencer Tracy | Milwaukee, WI | North Central Region 05/01/22
The idea behind No Mow May is simple – don’t mow your lawn. That way, pollinators like bees and butterflies can have an early food source. Experts say it goes a long way.
Omaha World-Herald: Wildfires cause extensive agricultural losses in Nebraska By Nancy Gaarder | Omaha, NE | Northern Plains Region 05/02/22
Ranchers and farmers, the foundation of Nebraska’s economy, are reeling from an onslaught of problems caused by drought and fire. The total extent of the losses is still unknown, and so are the consequences — weather will be the key.
MPR News: Minnesota’s Black farmers working to reconnect to land By Jon Collins | Saint Paul, MN | North Central Region 05/03/22
Farmer Angela Dawson is trying to help others overcome obstacles and make a living from the land.
Maine Public: Conservation groups call for federal review of offshore wind impact on Gulf of Maine ecosystems By Fred Bever | Lewiston, ME | Northeast Region 05/03/22
A wide coalition of New England conservation groups is calling on federal regulators for a rigorous review of the potential effects of offshore wind-farms on Gulf of Maine ecosystems and fisheries.
CNBC: SpaceX Starbase expansion plans will harm endangered species, according to Fish and Wildlife Service By Laura Kolodny | Texas | South Central Region 05/03/22
For SpaceX to move ahead with Starship plans in Texas, it must track and mitigate harm to threatened and endangered species.
The Guardian: California’s new drought rules: will they be enough to halt the ‘alarming challenges’ ahead? By Gabrielle Canon | California | Pacific Region 05/03/22
With little hope of reprieve ahead of the warming summer months, demand for water in parts of drought-stricken California is outpacing supply.
Wisconsin State Farmer: Farmers drive conservation practices across Door-Kewaunee Peninsula Wisconsin | North Central Region 05/03/22
Planting 100% cover crops is not just the goal but the reality for Deer Run Dairy. Duane Ducat and his partners have experienced the many benefits from conservation practices that they use on all acres.
CBS News: Effort to eradicate “highly destructive” invasive Japanese beetle underway in Washington state Washington | Pacific Region 05/03/22
The highly invasive pest eats more than 300 different plants including roses, grapes and hops. If left to reproduce and spread, the beetles would pose a serious threat to farms, gardens, and the environment of Washington state, officials said.
Sussex CD: Free Soil Test for Corn Growers Georgetown, DE | Northeast Region 05/04/22
Sussex Conservation District (SCD) is now offering free pre-sidedress soil nitrogen testing (PSNT) to corn growers in Sussex County. SCD recommends performing a PSNT in the spring to determine the nitrogen requirements of an expected corn crop yield.
GPB News: New elementary education program will bring agricultural literacy to Georgia classrooms By Alez Guevara | Atlanta, GA | Southeast Region 05/04/22
Starting in the fall of 2022, Georgia elementary students could start taking agriculture education classes and engage with local farms as part of a now-permanent program.
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