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 Urges Congress to Include Producer Assistance and IRA Conservation Provisions in End-of-Year Bill
12/15/2024
For the past several weeks, Congress has been developing an end-of-year bill to extend federal funding before the December 20 deadline, further extend the 2018 Farm Bill, and provide economic assistance for struggling producers, among other priorities. After failed negotiations at the leadership level, the current draft of this bill does not include economic assistance for struggling producers.
The Fence Post: Hoeven, farm leaders urge negotiators back to the table
12/16/2024
National Association of Conservation Districts President Kim LaFleur said, “NACD urges lawmakers to pass an end of the year package that includes both economic assistance for producers and the integration of IRA conservation investments.”
Citrus Industry: Requirements Eased for Hurricane Aid
12/16/2024
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton.
Agriculture Dive: Another farm bill extension is inevitable. But can farmers still get economic relief?
By Sara Zimmerman
12/17/2024
With farm bill negotiations at a standstill, congressional leaders are working to extend current legislation with billions of dollars in financial aid for farmers to weather an economic downturn.
E&E: Rematch on IRA conservation money awaits 2025 farm bill
By Marc Heller, Andres Picon
12/18/2024
(Subscribers Only) Congress’ next move will determine whether funding for a wide array of environmental practices on farms remains at the elevated levels lawmakers prescribed in the Inflation Reduction Act or falls hard and fast. The government already can’t cover all the farmers who apply and are eligible.
Agri-Pulse: Musk opposition to year-end bill throws farm aid in doubt
By Philip Brasher
12/18/2024
(Subscribers Only) Elon Musk’s full-throated opposition to a massive stopgap funding bill forced House GOP leaders to rethink the legislation, leaving in doubt $31 billion in disaster aid and market relief for farmers. President-elect Donald Trump left the door open to supporting a stripped-down bill with farm aid included.
NRCS: Equity in Conservation Spotlight: Supporting village-driven agriculture in rural Alaska
Homer, AK | Pacific Region
12/11/2024
The Homer Soil and Water Conservation District project is called Expanding Support for Village-Driven Agriculture in Rural Alaska. It aims to meet the needs of tribal and remote villages in Alaska by increasing their food sovereignty and security through small-scale agriculture.
Daily Republic: SRCD working on metamorphosis of land to monarch habitat
By Todd R. Hansen | Vacaville, CA | Pacific Region
12/14/2024
The rains have returned to Solano County, and with them, soggy ground. That could force a delay in seeding property near the Nut Tree Airport for development of monarch butterfly and pollinator habitat – that is unless the Solano Resource Conservation District can get permission to fly.
Alamosa Citizen: Conejos County Conservation District revived
Alamosa, CO | Southwest Region12/15/2024
The move to revive the Conejos County Conservation District, which had been dormant the past four years, comes as farmers and ranchers continue to work through soil health and water quality issues on the southern end of the San Luis Valley in the face of changing land conditions.
ChesCo: $24M to Rescue Pennsylvania’s Polluted Waters—Radical Moves to Save the Chesapeake Bay!
By Maryann Pugh | Harrisburg, PA | Northeast Region
12/15/2024
Pennsylvania has once again stepped up in the fight to protect and restore its most precious natural resources by awarding $24 million to improve water quality within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This ambitious funding initiative, managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), is aimed at combating pollution and revitalizing local streams, rivers, and lakes that feed into the Bay’s vast ecosystem.
Idaho Capital Sun: Lower Boise Watershed Council, ag producers step up to improve water quality in Boise River
By Steve Stuebner | Boise, ID | Pacific Region
12/16/2024
The council, along with cities, the Canyon Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Idaho Legislature have funded ag-based conservation projects in the area.