| 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.
NACD Blog: Soil Health Champion Jimmy Emmons and Other Farmers Highlighted in New Book that Shares the Benefits of Cover Crops from Farms Across the Country The proliferation of USDA climate-smart programs supporting cover crops, including the Farmers for Soil Health initiative and NACD’s climate-smart project, has created a demand for more information on cover crops. My new cover crop guidebook, “Cover Crops: Improving Life on the Land,” provides a detailed set of information on cover crops, including how they are being used by a dozen different, experienced farmers from across the U.S.
Southern Minn: There are more casualties without a Farm Bill (Opinion) We have spent a lot of time these past few weeks lamenting the fact that a new Farm Bill was not passed, nor are we even close to having a new one. Work started almost two years ago, and thanks to political gridlock, nothing was accomplished. Farmers rely on legislation to make sure they have the certainty they need for their operations, not to mention the government programs that are funded based on the legislation.
Successful Farming: Grasslands surge to No. 1 in Conservation Reserve enrollment The skyrocketing popularity of the grasslands option is adding a working lands dimension to the Conservation Reserve, created four decades ago to take fragile cropland out of production. Grasslands now account for 35% of the land enrolled in the reserve, up from 28 percent in fiscal 2023, according to USDA data.
EIN Press Wire: Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs Receive 2018 Farm Bill One Year Extension, Farmers Can Now Enroll for the 2024 Crop Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting Dec. 18, 2023. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.
USDA: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes First-of-its Kind National Forest Plan Amendment to Conserve and Steward Old Growth Forests Today, consistent with direction from President Biden in Executive Order 14072 to conserve and restore old and mature forests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a proposal to amend all 128 forest land management plans to conserve and steward old-growth forest conditions on national forests and grasslands nationwide.
Agriculture Dive: USDA pressured to delay poultry competition rule U.S. lawmakers called on the Biden administration to push back the implementation of rules that would make contracts more transparent for poultry farmers, warning of “massive disruption” that could come with amending grower agreements.
Leader Call: World’s most common insects dying off and being replaced by invasive species Worrying declines in insect numbers are largely being driven by losses of the more abundant species, say scientists, who discovered similar trends around the world. Berkeley News: Twenty-year study confirms California forests are healthier when burned — or thinned A 20-year experiment in the Sierra Nevada confirms that different forest management techniques — prescribed burning, restoration thinning or a combination of both — are effective at reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire in California.
Daily State News: Sussex Conservation District holds cooperators’ dinner The Sussex Conservation District held the 2023 Cooperators’ dinner Dec. 5 at the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company to recognize the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Cooperator of the Year.
Methow Valley News: Conservation district gets input on county water bank As Okanogan County’s water bank starts to materialize, the Okanogan Conservation District is getting input from the public about priorities for the bank.
KXAN: For first time ever, ‘exceptional drought’ declared by Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District The leaders managing the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District took the unprecedented step Thursday night of moving to a Stage 4 Exceptional Drought declaration, meaning tougher water-saving measures are coming for well operators.
Crawford County Now: Community Spotlight Podcast: Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District – Diane Awbrey, Education Information Coordinator, talks about things that you may not know about recycling.
US Department of Interior: Secretary Haaland Highlights President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda in California Visit The group toured the Santa Ana River Wash, which is a regionally significant area for wildlife habitat, flood control, groundwater recharge, cultural resources, recreation, and an important source of sand and gravel. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District cooperatively steward the cultural native flora of the Wash, including yucca, white sage, dog bane, acorn, cactus, and juniper berry.
Vail Daily: Conservation Corner: What does the Eagle County Conservation District do? In our valley, many organizations are dedicated to conserving and preserving our county’s natural resources. Within this array of committed organizations, one group operates quietly but significantly — the Eagle County Conservation District. Providing a unique perspective in the realm of environmental advocacy, the Eagle County Conservation District sometimes goes unnoticed, leading to the question: What distinguishes it from other conservation organizations?
Cumberland County North Carolina: Soil and Water Board of Supervisors Recognizes Longtime Member The Cumberland County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors recognized outgoing board member Clifton McNeill Jr. during the board’s regular meeting held Dec. 14 in the Cumberland County Agriculture Center.
Wisconsin State Farmer: Cover crops help climate and environment, but most farmers say no, fearing financial loss Called cover crops, they top the list of tasks U.S. farmers are told will build healthy soil, help the environment and fight climate change. Yet after years of incentives and encouragement, Midwest farmers planted cover crops on only about 7% of their land in 2021.
Soo Leader: Woot woot! Look who just won Conservation District of the Year The Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District (CLMCD) is honored to announce that they have been awarded the 2023 Conservation District of the Year award from the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts (MACD) in Bellaire, Mich. at the 2023 MACD Annual Convention at Shanty Creek Resort. |