| 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 accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
Agri-Pulse: Ex-NRCS chiefs re-kindle discussion around conservation means testing (Subscribers Only) Five former Natural Resources Conservation Chiefs last week joined specialty crop growers in calling for a loosening of income restrictions for conservation programs, but opponents warned that such a change will only make it harder for smaller farmers to participate.
Agri-Pulse: Major study: Soil health practices improve the bottom line (Subscribers Only) Farmers who employ soil health management practices such as cover crops and no-till can significantly improve their bottom lines, a new study from The Soil Health Institute, Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Association of Conservation Districts concludes.
Morning Ag Clips: CTIC Expands to Deliver Farmers for Soil Health Program The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is pleased to announce its role as a partner in Farmers for Soil Health (FSH), a new program devoted to increasing the usage of cover crops on corn and soybean acres. The program is supported by the American Soybean Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, the Soil Health Institute, The Sustainability Consortium, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other organizations.
AgNet West: Conservation Project Supported by USDA Grant of $90 Million Another project made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities will be making funding available to farmers. USDA is investing a total of $3.1 billion in 141 selected projects through the program. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is one of the funding recipients and is launching the first phase of its conservation project.
Successful Farming: House chairman says 2023 farm bill will be later than expected Congress will have to extend temporarily the lifespan of the 2018 farm bill because it will miss the Sept. 30 deadline for enacting its successor, said House Agriculture chairman Glenn Thompson.
Farm Progress: Solve the cover crop conundrum Farmers are planting cover crops, but there’s so much information to sift through that finding the right seed mix for your crop management goals can be daunting.
Successful Farming: House chairman says 2023 farm bill will be later than expected Congress will have to extend temporarily the lifespan of the 2018 farm bill because it will miss the Sept. 30 deadline for enacting its successor, said House Agriculture chairman Glenn Thompson.
National Hog Farmer: Farmers for Soil Health offers financial assistance for cover crop adoption Farmers in 20 states can now enroll in cost-share programs through Farmers for Soil Health. This corn, pork and soy commodity initiative establishes financial and technical assistance for corn and soybean farmers who adopt cover crops. The focus is to bring money directly back to farmers, where sustainability is happening at the farm level.
The Moultrie Observer: Brian Ponder named vice president of Ga. Association of Conservation Districts Georgia Association of Conservation Districts elected Brian Ponder as vice president at their annual meeting held on Aug. 6-8, in conjunction with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) Southeast Region Meeting in Savannah.
Northfield News: Pre-construction cover available for conservation practices By Emmie Scheffler | Rice County, MN | North Central Region 08/12/2023
Conservation practices like grassed waterways and sediment control basins are a great way to fix farmland erosion and make the eroded gullies disappear. The Rice SWCD can pay those who have conservation contracts $150 an acre, up to 10 acres, to plant pre-construction cover in order to allow for construction in their ideal time frame.
Crawford County Now: Community Spotlight Podcast: Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District Duane Shawk and Derek Beat are in from Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District to talk about what services are available.
The Independent: Honey in the Bank: $2M Grant to Support Pollinator-Friendly Habitats Along Central Coast The Cachuma Resource Conservation District and its partners will use the funds to work directly with local farmers and ranchers — planting the seeds for pollinator-friendly habitats and management practices to bolster pollinator populations.
The Daily Journal: Food hub: Connecting farmers to customers San Mateo County’s diverse agricultural community may be geographically close to tech companies and suburbs, yet it is still challenged to meet the demands of nearby buyers like restaurants, grocers and wholesalers. A county food hub may help, according to the San Mateo Resource Conservation District, which is spearheading its early stages.
Sand County Foundation: Finalists Selected for Leopold Conservation Award in Carolinas Three finalists have been selected for the inaugural Carolinas Leopold Conservation Award. Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the prestigious award is presented in 27 states to farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who inspire others with their dedication to land, water, and wildlife habitat in their care.
The Sun Time News: New Conservation Initiative Aims to Revitalize the Saline River Watershed The Washtenaw County Conservation District (WCCD) has announced a new and exciting easement pilot project that focuses on the Saline River Headwaters watershed.
Fox5 Atlanta: ‘Significant threat’: Invasive species of hornets spotted in Georgia for the 1st time Agriculture officials are asking Georgians to keep an eye out for a new invasive species of hornet that has been spotted for the first time in the United States.
The Intelligencer: Northern Panhandle Conservation District Hands Out Scholarships The Northern Panhandle Conservation District Foundation awards two scholarships each year to college undergraduate students selected from those who apply and meet the criteria.
Livingston County News: Cornell expert shares advice to protect and support pollinators in your backyard As flowers and trees continue to bloom and grass grows long, people may be wondering how best to support the pollinators in their backyards.
Daily Yonder: Maui Wildfires Highlight Rural Firefighting Dilemma Wildfire experts say it’s no surprise a disaster like this happened because of two factors that have significantly increased Hawai’i’s wildfire risk: an influx of highly flammable non-native grasses and climate change, which is causing warmer and drier conditions ideal for fire.
MSU Today: Agricultural conservation practices and the impact on the Great Lakes For about two decades, annual algae blooms – fed primarily by nutrient runoff from sources like agricultural fields, animal facilities and wastewater treatment plants – have developed in the western portion of Lake Erie.
The Express: Students get a close look at conservation Local students recently got an up-close look at our natural resources during a joint Summer in the Parks conservation week program. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Clinton County Conservation District and the Keystone Central School District. |