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. Morning AgClips: New Land Transfer Program to Help Nation’s Farmers Protect and Access Farmland Working in partnership with public and private land protection leaders throughout the country, American Farmland Trust (AFT) announces a new “Land Transfer Navigators” program in partnership with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services (USDA NRCS) that will help exiting farmers and landowners retire with confidence and help new, beginning and underserved farmers gain secure, equitable land access.
Newsweek: US Government Wants Hunters to Shoot 500,000 Owls The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants hunters to shoot more than 500,000 barred owls to help protect other native species. Barred owls are an invasive species in the Pacific Northwest, originating on the U.S. East Coast, and they pose a huge threat to native protected species, including northern spotted owls.
Reuters: US farmers plan big 2024 soy crops, ‘gut says’ less corn U.S. farmers are likely to plant more soybeans in 2024 as rising demand for soy-based biofuels should boost profits, and many plan to cut back on corn acreage with futures prices for that grain hovering around three-year lows.
Associated Press: Agriculture gets its day at COP28, but experts see big barriers to cutting emission More than 100 world leaders at this year’s United Nations climate summit agreed to make their farm and food systems a key part of their plans to fight climate change, seeking improvements in a sector that accounts for about a third of planet-warming emissions.
Agriculture Dive: Here’s the UN’s roadmap for agriculture to reach net-zero emissions Transforming agriculture production practices, curbing food waste and reducing consumption of animal-based products in high-income economies are at the center of a United Nations plan to bring the agrifood sector in line with the Paris climate agreement.
USDA: USDA Signs Agreement with Agriculture Future of America to Prepare Young People for Careers in Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Agriculture Future of America (AFA), formalizing a partnership to promote the common goals of strengthening the future competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. agriculture industry by preparing more young people for careers in agriculture.
Project Upland Magazine: A Look at the Conservation Reserve Program as Part of the 2023 Farm Bill with the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (Opinion) The Farm Bill includes the most significant investment in conservation we make as a nation. Whether we hunt on private or public land, bird hunters recognize that management on private farms, ranches, and forests directly impacts bird habitat and hunting opportunities more broadly. Because of that, groups like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) and our partners put great effort into improving the conservation programs within the Farm Bill. Morning AgClips: Taking No-Till to the Next Level In 2014, Brewer went with a group of Montana farmers to North Dakota with the Rosebud Conservation District to see what farmers had been doing there since the 1990s to improve soil health. “It was a shock to think you were a no-till farmer for that long (23 years) and then have somebody tell you really weren’t no-till farming,” said Brewer, who has farmed in Rosebud County, Mont., his whole life.
The Evening Leader: The resources provided by the ASWCD For producers in Auglaize County the Auglaize Soil and Water Conservation District is a resource they can turn to when they have water issues on their farmland. District Administrator Chris Davis said that the District’s purpose is to preserve soil so that producers can continue to produce.
KATV: Hog wild: Arkansas offers trapping incentives in battle against invasive species The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is providing incentives to landowners in an effort to eradicate invasive feral hogs harmful to farms and other land.
Norfolk Daily News: Area students take state in conservation poster contest Rivers, lakes and wildlife were artfully crafted by young Nebraskans throughout the year, turning blank paper into award-winning posters. Nebraska’s natural resources districts (NRDs) recognize students from kindergarten to 12th grade, who competed in the annual “One Water” Conservation Poster Contest.
Morning Ag Clips: Commission Votes to Approve Soil Health Implementation Program The Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) has launched the Soil Health Implementation Program (SHIP), a new initiative to improve soil health across Oklahoma’s agricultural landscapes. Approved unanimously by the Commission on December 12th, SHIP aims to provide comprehensive soil conservation solutions in both rural and urban areas.
KATV: Grant funding saves water, enhances riparian habitat and improves water quality in Idaho A total of 50 Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant projects were approved by the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission in the spring of 2023. In this column, we’ll spotlight three projects around the state to show how those funds are being put to productive use in voluntary, boots-on-the-ground conservation projects.
Upper Michigan Source: Marquette County Conservation District shares tips for winter composting With winter weather here now, the Marquette County Conservation District has tips for winter composting. Staff at that office say if you have outdoor composting, keep it dry by covering it with a tarp or store it in a bin with a lid.
Farm Progress: How they adopted effective cover crops Clay Lowe and Zeb Winslow encourage farmers to use a “take it slow” approach when it comes to adapting a cover crop program on your farm.
Yahoo News: California water agencies announce conservation plans to ease strains on Colorado River The Biden administration has announced new water-saving agreements with California water agencies intended to shore up supplies on the overburdened Colorado River. California’s Colorado River Board said Wednesday that several water agencies and one tribal nation signed the first in a series of agreements that will conserve up to 1.6 million acre-feet of water. |