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: Conservation District Paves the Way in the Charge Against Invasive Species
03/17/2025
The fight against invasive species is a growing challenge for conservation districts nationwide. In McKean County, Pennsylvania, the McKean County Conservation District has taken a proactive stance, implementing an Invasive Species Program in 2018 in partnership with the Penn State Extension and the U.S. Forest Service. This collaboration led to the establishment of the Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area (APIPMA), covering five counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. The initiative focuses on landscape-level management strategies to prevent and control non-native invasive plants, ensuring the health and sustainability of local ecosystems.
USDA: USDA Expediting $10 Billion in Direct Economic Assistance to Agricultural Producers
03/18/2025
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, on National Agriculture Day, announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices.
Brownfield Ag News: Conservation Districts weigh in on administration’s actions
By
03/18/2025
The CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts says reducing USDA staff will have long-term impacts on farmers and rural communities. Jeremy Peters tells Brownfield farmers could exclude conservation practices this growing season because of the lack of financial and technical assistance.
USDA: Secretary Rollins Highlights President Trump’s Proclamation on National Agriculture
03/18/2025
Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins celebrated National Agriculture Day, reinforcing the importance of American farmers, ranchers, and producers as outlined in President Donald J. Trump’s official proclamation marking the occasion.
USDA-NRCS: NRCS Helps Residents Grow Food Security in Alaska
By Tracy Robillard | Homer, AK | Pacific Region
03/14/2025
Food security is a concern for all Alaskans. Approximately 95 percent of food purchased in Alaska is imported, accounting for around $2 billion in sales sent out of state each year, according to the Alaska Food Policy Council. Because of its remote location, extended winter climate, and short growing season, the logistics of getting food to Alaska comes with a high price tag.
The Daily Indy: ‘Soil is a living thing:’ Why a healthy dirt program is again before Nevada lawmakers
By Amy Alonzo | Nevada | Southwest Region
03/16/2025
In 2019, the same year the Nevada Association of Conservation Districts held its soil health meeting, Frey attended a Texas conference where he heard a former federal soil scientist discuss regenerative agriculture. Frey, who’d grown up watching generations of his family work the land, also farmed in a conventional style, but what he heard at the conference struck a chord in him.
Yahoo! News: Federal funding uncertainties affecting farming community in Berks
By Bill Uhrich | Maiden Creek, PA | Northeast Region
03/17/2025
She has planted riparian buffers and installed stream-bank fencing along the unnamed tributary to the Willow Creek that runs through her property with funding help from the NRCS. Boyer has devoted six acres to silvopasture, planting trees to help with fodder and more importantly, to provide shade to her livestock in the summer.
Valley News: ‘Resilience’ is key for New Hampshire farms — but state support of grant program is in doubt
By Claire Sullivan | New Hampshire | Northeast Region
03/17/2025
The program funds projects in four main categories: soil health, water management, on-farm energy, and crop and livestock protection, said Amanda Littleton, the district manager of the Chester County Conservation District. The grants range up to $10,000 each, and farmers typically fund between a quarter and half of the project costs themselves, she said. And the demand is high, with about 30% of applicants turned away each year, Littleton said.
Lost Coast Outpost: ‘A Crushing Blow’: USDA Cancels Local Food Purchasing Programs That Serve Humboldt’s Schools, Tribes, Seniors and Food Bank While Supporting Ranchers and Farmers
By Ryan Burns | Humboldt County, CA |Pacific Region
03/17/2025
Tribal member Allie Hostler, who works as managing editor of the tribe’s newspaper, the Two Rivers Tribune, and manages the Klamath Trinity Resource Conservation District, was instrumental in developing that project, which used federal funds to purchase thousands of pounds of fruits, vegetables, eggs, pork, beef and poultry from local farmers and ranchers.
Buckrail: Ag Day: Partnering with community to conserve resources, strengthen local food systems
Jackson, WY | Southwest Region
03/18/2025
Today, March 18, National Agriculture Day is celebrated across the U.S. as a time to recognize the hardworking farmers, ranchers and landowners who nourish our communities. At Teton Conservation District (TCD), we honor our local food producers and the deep agricultural roots of Teton County, Wyoming.
Steamboat Pilot & Today: Western Slope producers partner with state to boost soil health as water scarcity challenges deepen
Ali Longwell | Colorado | Southwest Region
03/19/2025
She and her husband had already started down the path toward regenerative agriculture, investigating ways to improve soil health to increase the efficiency of their water resources when they heard about the state’s program through the Mount Sopris Conservation District. She serves as a board member for the district.