| 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: Greene County Conservation District Builds Community Partnerships through Pollinator Education Program In 2023, the Greene County Conservation District (CD) in western Alabama was awarded a Friends of NACD District Grant to construct an educational “Bee Friendly” Garden Project at their field office. In partnership with the Alabama Conservation District Employees Association, local USDA agency partners, local extension offices, gardening clubs/organizations, and others, the Greene County CD hosted several educational opportunities featuring the district’s new “Bee Friendly” Garden.
NACD: NACD Commends Proposals in Senate Ranking Member’s Farm Bill Framework, Urges Bipartisan Action to Pass a Final Bill Today, Senate Committee on Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman released a framework outlining Senate Republican farm bill priorities. NACD commends that the framework supports NACD’s top farm bill request by calling for the incorporation of all remaining Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation investments into the conservation title of the bill.
NACD: NACD Comments on BLM’s Draft Amendments to the Greater Sage-Grouse Management Plans NACD appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s Draft Resource Management Plan Amendment/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RMPA/DEIS) for greater sage-grouse habitat management and values the importance of species conservation informed by the best-available science and input from local, state, federal and Tribal partners.
FB News: Pollinators are Vital for the Environment and Growing Crops Ask a farmer or rancher about pollinators and you’re sure to hear that they are vital for the environment and growing crops used for both human consumption and feeding livestock. These essential creatures include bees, butterflies, moths, bats, beetles and hummingbirds. Below are pollinator-related activities and initiatives from around the country that are worthy of celebration during National Pollinator Week (June 17-23) and throughout the year.
Agriculture Dive: House Republicans set up partisan food fight with proposed USDA, FDA budget cuts Budgets for U.S. agricultural programs are once again fueling a partisan food fight as House Republicans go head-to-head with the Biden administration over spending. Congressional Republicans are moving ahead with a proposal to fund the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration at levels around 9.5% below Biden administration requests.
The Spokane Review: ‘It’s an investment in our youth’: More than 10,000 trees to be planted in Spokane County over the next five years As the Spokane area’s first scorching weather looms, a new program to help local neighborhoods beat the heat with extra tree canopy kicked off in Airway Heights Wednesday. The Spokane Conservation District received almost $7 million in grant funding through the Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Forest Service to develop the apprenticeship program and a tree equity planting program, said district operations director Cori Turntine.
USDA-NRCS: Climate Smart Agriculture Symposium exposes students to USDA programs, services and careers More than 100 college students and professors joined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel at the University of Texas Arlington’s (UTA) Climate Smart Agriculture Symposium recently at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center in Kingsville, Texas, to increase knowledge, experience and opportunities related to climate change for urban and historically underserved students.
Oklahoma Farm Report: USDA Offers Disaster Recovery Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Oklahoma Impacted by Recent Tornadoes The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers across Oklahoma recover from recent tornadoes and severe weather. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and livestock losses and damages.
Upper Michigan Source: Upper Michigan Today plants a salsa garden with the help of the Marquette County Conservation District We’re in the midst of gardening season here in the Upper Peninsula! Elizabeth Peterson and Tia Trudgeon take advantage of the weather and plant a garden outside of the TV6 and FOX UP station. Dubbed, “the salsa garden”, they get guidance and advice on planting their veggies from Maddie O’Donnell and Landen Titel of the Marquette County Conservation District.
Cascade Pioneer: Women & Soil brings new conversation to the Field of Dreams Women, Land and Legacy brought Women & Soil to the Field of Dreams June 8 with support from the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS). The new event, focused on empowering women in agriculture, is a collaboration with ISU Extension, Impact 7G, Practical Farmers of Iowa and Dr. Elaine’s Soil Food Web School and part of the SWCS Emerging Leaders Program. |