| 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 USDA Bolstering Working Lands for Wildlife Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the expansion of the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) program, which has supported producers to conserve and enhance nearly 12 million acres of working agricultural lands since 2010. NACD applauds USDA’s commitment to working lands conservation NACD Blog: NACD 2023 Annual Meeting TA Grant Participant: Michaela Slagle-Saylor This blog post is part of a six-part series highlighting technical assistance (TA) grant recipient participation at NACD’s 77th Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. This post’s author, Michaela Slagle-Saylor of Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District in TN, attended the meeting with a TA stipend.
USDA: Investment of Approximately $300 Million in 50 Projects Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access for Underserved Producers The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced its selection of 50 projects for potential award, totaling approximately $300 million. These innovative projects will help improve access to land, capital, and markets for underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners. EPA: EPA Invites Youth to Serve on Agency’s First Ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the formal establishment of the agency’s first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council (NEYAC). The NEYAC will provide independent advice and recommendations on how to increase EPA’s efforts to address a range of environmental issues as they relate to youth communities. USDA: USDA Hiring Engineers, Natural Resource Specialists Nationwide to Strengthen Inflation Reduction Act Implementation, Enhance Conservation The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is ramping up hiring for key positions that will help strengthen agricultural conservation efforts. USDA: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Invests $9 Million to Improve Soil Health The Soil Health program area priority in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative supports research projects that will advance scientific understanding of soil processes and interactions, and develop new methods to improve or maintain soil health and productivity. Farm Progress: Soil Health Works Everywhere Regardless of soil type, all soils can benefit from implementing the principles of soil health. Though these principles — soil cover, limited disturbance, diversity, living roots, integrated livestock, context — are the same for everyone, each producer needs to figure out how they can be best implemented into their practices.
Farm Progress: Maryland Cover Crop Sign-Up Begins The sign-up period for Maryland’s 2023-24 Cover Crop Program is now open. Producers have until July 17 to apply for grants to help pay for seed, labor and equipment costs to plant fall cover crops. Indiana Prairie Farmer: Choose Cover Crops That Offer Most Benefits Cover crops should improve the success of cash crops because your goal is to earn a living. Cash crops are the moneymakers. Each cover crop species has its own benefits and challenges. With so many options, how do you decide which cover crop to plant? USFS: Managing for Bees USDA’s Forest Service (USFS) scientists at the Northern Research Station created the Pollinator Habitat in Log Landings Project. The project is a three-year study on developing pollinator habitat on log landings (places where loggers stack, sort, and load timber into trucks) following timber harvests. Greenspace: KCD and OSE Announce 2023 Community Partnership Grant Program King Conservation District (KCD) and Seattle’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) are excited to announce that the 2023 Seattle Community Partnership Grant Program is now accepting applications! Newton County Times: Extension Plans Forestry Management Workshop in DeGray Region Specialists with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture will host a one-day workshop June 27 to provide the state’s forest landowners, forestry professionals and watershed resource managers with updated research on forestry management. Morning Ag Clips: Meet Other Farmers, Learn About Soil Health! Soil Health Field Tours are a chance for farmers and growers to the visit farms in northern Rensselaer and southern Washington Counties to learn about soil health practices that have been implemented by our local farmers. Hometown Source: Dakota County to Offer Irrigation Water Testing Dakota County, with the help of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District, will soon offer farmers who irrigate their crops an opportunity to test their irrigation water for nitrogen at no cost. Shaw Local News Network: Marshall-Putnam SWCD to Hold Smart Wetland Field Day June 29 The Marshall-Putnam Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will hold a field day on Thursday, June 29 at its Smart Wetland installation site. New York State: During Pollinator Week, New York State Highlights Actions to Promote and Protect Pollinator Health The State released its updated Pollinator Protection Plan, outlining the coordinated work of State agencies to enhance pollinator health, including beekeeper registration, outreach, and education programs; support of the state’s Beekeeper Tech Team; improved landscape management at state facilities; and more. Johnston SWCD: Johnston County Voluntary Agricultural District and Conservation Easement Workshop Landowners are invited to an upcoming workshop hosted by the Johnston Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to learn more about conservation easements. The workshop will provide an opportunity to hear about this important tool for protecting farmlands. WWNY: Volunteers Work to Make Creek More Resilient Against Invasive Species Volunteers are trying to make South Sandy Creek more resilient by increasing biodiversity. They’re part of the St. Lawrence-Eastern Lake Ontario (SLELO) Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management. The County Press: Lapeer Conservation District to Hold Invasive Species Event in July When it comes to fighting invasive species in Lapeer County’s waterways, it’s all about education. Thanks to sponsorship by the Lapeer Conservation District, through a grant distributed by the Great Lakes Commission, boaters will have the chance to learn what they can do to help slow down aquatic invasive species in the area. NRCS: Conservation Efforts in North Carolina’s Dairy Industry Farmers understand the need to be good stewards of the environment. Working with the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of North Carolina, over $2 million has been invested in conservation practices to address resource concerns in the dairy industry.
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