| 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 Blog: Spokane Conservation District Addresses Education, Inequality, and Fire Mitigation through Urban Forestry Initiatives The importance of urban forests is becoming increasingly apparent. Lowered heat island effect, greater well-being, and lower utility costs just being a few advantages. The Spokane Conservation District (SCD) in Washington has been involved in forestry work for decades but began increasing its scope to include urban forest issues about 16 years ago. Its wide range of projects addresses various topics, including education, inequality, and fire mitigation.
USDA: Upcoming USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Center Programs Offer In-Person, Hands-On Training and Technical Assistance for Producers and Processors Producers, feeders, and other stakeholders who want a better understanding of factors that contribute to the market value of cattle, and how these factors can inform marketing and production decisions, can join us at three upcoming in-person events at the USDA Cattle and Carcass Training Centers (CCTC). NRCS: NRCS Texas Announces Additional 2023 National Water Quality Initiative Sign-Ups Through EQIP The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Texas is announcing an additional Fiscal Year 2023 sign-up for the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
USDA: USDA Seeks Nominees to Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers This committee recommends solutions to challenges faced by minority farmers and ranchers, and is part of USDA’s commitment to advance equity for all, especially for farmers and producers in underserved communities.
NRCS: Sign-Up Period Extended for Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Climate-Smart Practices The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Jersey is extending the sign-up date for the previously announced Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Applications now received by May 1, 2023 will be eligible for FY23 funding.
AgWeek: Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities aim for big greenhouse gas reductions through agriculture The USDA has put $3.1 billion into 141 projects expected to reach more than 60,000 farms and sequester as much carbon as removing 12 million gas-powered passenger vehicles from the road.
Wildlife Society: USFWS Agreement Advances Conservation on Working Forests The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has formalized a partnership to advance the conservation of at-risk species on private working forests.
USDA: Forest Service, Partners, Create more Opportunities for Women in Fire The USDA Forest Service recently hired three female fire leaders to mentor interns with the Student Conservation Association, which aims to train the next generation of conservation leaders.
AgriNews: Focus on Agriculture: Getting the Most out of Cover Crops While there are plenty of reasons for farmers to consider using cover crops, it can sometimes be a challenge knowing where to start and which factors to keep in mind to ensure the best results for the investment.
The State News: Whitmer Allocates $10 Million to Wetland Conservation In early March, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an appropriations bill, which allocated $10 million to help with the restoration and preservation of Michigan’s Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands.
Idaho Capital Sun: Boise National Forest Plans Wildfire Prevention with Prescribed Burns throughout Spring The Boise National Forest announced in a news release Thursday that it will begin low-intensity prescribed fires throughout the spring as part of a national strategy to reduce wildfires.
Fox News: Program gives Mental Health Help to Utah Farmers, Ranchers Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that farmers are twice as likely as people in other occupations to die by suicide. UDAF just launched its AG Stress Assistance Program (ASAP) to combat this rising issue.
Arizona Public Media: State looks for Help Combatting Invasive Snail The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) needs help combating an invasive snail species. Experts say that apple snails have grown in abundance throughout Arizona waters.
Lebtown: Lebanon County Conservation District seeks volunteers to help plant 800+ trees The Lebanon County Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help plant more than 800 trees in Millcreek Township next month.
VPM: Virginia Farmers Apply New Practices To Make Farming More Productive, Profitable Agriculture is a difficult industry to break into, especially for young farmers just starting out. The upfront investment can be daunting. Farms can cost $1 million or more, and that’s beyond what many aspiring farmers can come up with.
Newsbug: Vermilion County Conservation District plans Volunteer Fair The Vermilion County Conservation District will be hosting a Volunteer Fair on Sunday, April 2 for those interested in learning how to become a volunteer.
GlobalNewsWire: Regenerative Agriculture Market Set to Record Exponential Growth Regenerative agriculture is a collection of agricultural concepts and methods that emphasize soil properties while taking conservation efforts, fertilizers use, and other aspects into account. Its goal is to enhance and repair the farm’s entire ecosystem.
Morning AgClips: Boost Soil Health in New York With Mini-Grants Up to $2,500 Mini-grants offer opportunities to improve soil health across New York’s rural and urban agricultural lands.
NRCS: USDA Grants Available to Spur Innovation Technologies in Montana USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting applications for grants until May 26, 2023, to fund Montana projects that could stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture: Plan Proposed to Contain Invasive Forest Pest Affecting East Tennessee The Tennessee Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service are proposing an aerial application of spongy moth mating pheromone in Johnson County this spring.
The Recorder: Lawn Conversion Initiative looks to support Pollinators, improve Soil Health Thanks to a state grant, the Franklin Conservation District is partnering with three towns to support pollinators, improve soil health and beautify the region by converting mowed spaces into native plant gardens and meadows.
Ponca City News: Kay County Conservation District holds Annual Awards Banquet The Kay County Conservation District held their Annual Awards Banquet on Tuesday, March 28 at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Newkirk.
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