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: Agroforestry in Action at NACD’s Annual Meeting
02/24/2025
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) recently held a session at its Annual Meeting that focused on the importance of agroforestry practices in conservation and the critical role conservation districts play in supporting landowners. This session, featuring case studies from Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) and Snohomish Conservation District, highlighted the practical applications of agroforestry and how it’s being used to address local environmental challenges.
NACD: NACD Releases Report on the Impacts of Recent Executive Orders on the Locally Led Conservation Delivery System
03/04/2025
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has released a report about the impacts of recent Executive Orders and funding freezes on America’s locally led conservation delivery system, including conservation districts and the producers and communities they serve. The report was informed by a survey the association distributed to conservation districts last month, which received over 350 responses from across 45 states and territories.
No-Till Farmer: USDA Secretary Praises Farmers’ Innovation, Says Economic Aid Moving Soon
By John Dobberstein
03/03/2025
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins told industry leaders Sunday that farmers would be getting the first installment of more than $30 billion in economic assistance within the next few weeks as the federal agency works with the Department of Government Efficiency to complete a sweeping review of staffing and programs.
MSN: USDA employees fired en masse by Trump administration reinstated, workers’ board says
By Katelyn Polantz
03/05/2025
A workers’ board is reinstating – at least temporarily – almost 6,000 fired probationary workers from the Department of Agriculture, according to a newly issued order obtained by CNN. The order, by the Merit Systems Protection Board, undercuts President Donald Trump’s attempts to downsize the federal civil service and is a major indication that the mass layoffs were unlawful and may eventually be reversed by the board.
Chesire County Conservation District: Climate Resilience Grant: A Closer Look at Building a Strong Farm Future in Our State!
By Benee Hershon | New Hampshire | Northeastern Region
02/06/2025
The mission of the NH Conservation Districts Climate Resilience Grant is to support and empower local farmers to build climate resilience throughout the Granite State. This will be done through reducing the impact of agriculture on climate change (mitigation) through greenhouse gas emissions reduction and carbon sequestration, and to increasing the resiliency of New Hampshire Farms in a changing climate (adaptation), while meeting farm’s conservation goals and needs. Extreme weather events, frequent and prolonged droughts, and increased pest pressures are increasing challenges for NH farms.
Farmers.gov: Fridays on the Farm: Dedication to Land Stewardship
By Tommi Matthews | Lexington, MS | Southeast Region
02/14/2025
This Friday meet Cleotha Dixon, a third-generation farmer from Lexington, Mississippi. Cleotha’s agricultural journey began at a young age, developing a strong work ethic and deep connection to the land while growing up on his family’s operation, Dixon Farms. Today, Cleotha has transformed the operation into a thriving ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and vegetation.
Bradford Era: Conservation district awarded Friends of NACD grant
Bradford, PA | Northeast Region
02/28/2025
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced McKean County is among the 2025 recipients of Friends of NACD grants, during its annual meeting in Salt Lake City. Through a partnership with Penn State Extension, the McKean County Conservation District will implement the Building Environmental Stewards Initiative. The program will provide a hands-on climate resilience-focused educational program through the Northwinds 4-H Camp encompassing natural resource topics to youth within a five-county area.
Colorado Sun: What’s Working: Lesser-known Colorado agriculture programs are feeling the federal funding freeze too
By and | Colorado | Southwest Region
03/01/2025
Nolan is president of the Mancos Conservation District in the town of Mancos about 30 miles from Durango. He and his partner, Mindy Perkovich, also run a flower and vegetable farm that’s been their livelihood for a decade. And they’re the recipients, like many producers in the 73 other conservation districts scattered throughout Colorado, of federal funding through cost-share programs to improve things like soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. But on Feb. 14, Nolan got the dreaded letter so many federal employees and recipients of federal grants had received some version of.
Morning AgClips: Help the Hellbender Research Program Honored with Friends of Conservation Award
By Katie Parkins | West Lafayette, IN | North Central Region
03/04/2025
The Help the Hellbender research program, based in Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources, was honored with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)’s Friends of Conservation Award at the organization’s annual meeting in Salt Lake City on Feb. 11.
The Mining Journal: Michigan awards $3.6M to fight invasive species
Michigan | North Central Region
03/05/2025
The Dickinson Conservation District will receive $70,000 to provide funding for the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition and maintain CISMA programming in Dickinson and Menominee counties. The Iron Baraga Conservation District will receive $70,000 for programming within the Western Upper Peninsula Invasive Coalition area in Iron, Gogebic and Ontonagon counties.
Morning AgClips: Federal Funding Freeze Forces Suspension of Several Conservation Programs
Indianaoplis, IN | North Central Region
03/05/2025
The Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) has announced the indefinite pause of three statewide conservation programs due to recent funding freezes and delays resulting from unforeseeable and sweeping executive orders issued by the Trump administration. Beginning this week, all staff associated with the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI), Resilient Indiana (RITA), and Urban Soil Health (USH) programs have been furloughed.