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: NACD Applauds USDA Launch of Water-Saving Initiative to Support Acequias and Conservation Districts in the Southwest
11/26/2024
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a series of investments to support community-operated irrigation systems, including the historical systems of the southwest known as acequias, to implement water conservation practices while continuing agricultural production as part of the Water-Savings Commodities Program.
USDA: USDA Launches New Online Civil Rights Tool for USDA Customers
11/22/2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of a new online portal to manage civil rights discrimination complaints more efficiently and transparently. The USDA Civil Rights Management System (CRMS) Program Discrimination Complaint electronic submission portal will streamline the filing of complaints by USDA customers who believe they have experienced discrimination when they apply for USDA services or participate in USDA programs or USDA-funded programs. The portal is administered by USDA’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR).
Successful Farming: Get To Know Brooke Rollins, Nominee for Agriculture Secretary
By Noah Rohlfing
11/25/2024
Over the weekend, Texas attorney Brooke Rollins was announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Rollins is the president and CEO of the conservative nonprofit America First Policy Institute (AFPI), which was launched in 2021.
USDA-NRCS: USDA Announces Strategy to Uphold its Federal Trust Responsibilities to Increase Support for Conservation on Tribal Lands
11/26/2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has released a new Tribal Relations Strategy, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to honoring its federal trust relationship with the 574 federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native Villages that have sovereign interest in more than 119 million acres of land across the United States.
Agriculture Dive: Record agriculture trade deficit expected to keep growing
By Sarah Zimmerman
11/27/2024
An already record agricultural trade deficit in the United States is expected to get even bigger, the Agriculture Department said Tuesday. The U.S. farm trade deficit in fiscal year 2025 is on track to reach $45.5 billion, according to an updated USDA outlook. Government analysts were previously forecasting a $42.5 billion deficit in August.
Buckrail: BTNF, partners announce fish habitat restoration project completion
By River Stingray | Jackson, WY | Southwest Region
11/22/2024
The Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) and several partners including Trout Unlimited, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and Teton Conservation District, recently completed two fish habitat restoration projects that will allow fish upstream access to miles of habitat and stabilize banks within the Buffalo Fork drainage of the Snake River.
Farms.com: Meet the Producer Behind the Policy: Jason Smith, Valley Farm Management, Gonzales, California
By Diane Petit | Gonzales, CA | Pacific Region
11/22/2024
Jason Smith knows that farming is about the risks of Mother Nature: frost, heat, fires, and smoke…and the risks of the marketplace. It seems that this Gonzales, California, winegrape grower faces a new kind of disaster each year. That’s why he and other winegrape growers across the Golden State use Federal crop insurance extensively as a risk management tool for their operations.
High Plains Journal: Governor Kelly announces more than $320,000 for seven Kansas Water Plan Partnership Initiative projects
Kansas | Northern Plains Region
11/22/2024
Finney County Conservation District, implementation of a new Earth balloon for water and natural resource education programs. Nemaha County Conservation District, implementation of a new roller/crimper in cover crop management and completion to enhance soil health and for outreach programs. Doniphan County Conservation District, implementation of a new no-till drill and education program materials. Osage County Conservation District, implementation of water education programs.
Salt Lake Tribune: In Utah, here’s how unconventional crops could save water — and reshape farming
By David Condos | San Juan County, UT | Southwest Region
11/24/2024
Redd grew up here in the shadow of redrock towers on his family’s Dugout Ranch. Today, the operation is part of The Nature Conservancy’s Canyonlands Research Center, where Redd is the project director. The idea is to test how Kernza performs on a large scale in Utah and offer that information to other ranchers and farmers.
Sheldon Whitehouse U.S. Senate: Whitehouse Announces $2.4 Million for Aquidneck Island Projects from His National Coastal Resilience Fund
Providence, RI | Northeast Region
11/25/2024
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today announced $2,480,539 in federal funding to improve the resiliency of Rhode Island communities. The two grants for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Eastern RI Conservation District are funded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF), which was developed by Whitehouse to restore and strengthen the natural infrastructure protecting coastal communities.
Herald Review: Mecosta Conservation District cleans up illegal dumpsite in Austin Township
By Cathie Crew | Austin Township, MI | North Central Region
11/26/2024
The Mecosta Conservation District took part in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Adopt-a-Forest program in October, a news release from the organization said. The dedicated team at Mecosta Conservation District participated in the program by cleaning up a site in Austin Township where illegal waste dumping had occurred, the release said. The effort is part of an ongoing commitment by the District to preserve and protect the natural beauty of forests and public lands.