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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 with accessing articles, please contact the NACD Communications Team.
(Subscriber Only) “America’s conservation districts are often leaders in their communities on watershed-scale projects, which can serve as a first line of defense in times of extreme weather events,” Michael Crowder, president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, told Agri-Pulse.
"The reality is, if you thin a forest, everybody wins," Gianforte told the Montana Free Press in a late-July conversation about climate change. "We get more habitat, there's more wildlife, there's more recreation. The forest becomes more resilient to wildfire. … it doesn't burn as hot and it doesn't burn in the crown."
“I started into cover crops 20 years ago with 20 acres,” Starkey says. “Now we’re 100 percent no-till and cover crops.” However, Starkey cringes when someone calls him in the spring and says he just put his whole farm into cereal rye cover crop, and now isn’t sure how to terminate it. Start with a few acres, prove to yourself you can make it work, and build from there, he says.
A group of Washington State University researchers are using small electrical currents to assess soil microbes and soil health impacts. Soil microbes process 90 percent of the soil’s energy and nutrients.
Researchers from Montana State University’s College of Agriculture and Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering will collaborate with wheat producers around Montana to collect and analyze real-life data as part of a 15-state precision agriculture project.
USDA is partnering with FEMA and other disaster-focused organizations to try and help producers dealing with damage from Hurricane Ida.
At a time when large dairy brands are experimenting with scaling up regenerative practices, Alexandre Family Farm is working to set the standard for the future of the industry.
Many Iowa farmers are improving their land through the use of soil health practices like no-till farming, cover crops, rotational grazing and others.
(Subscriber Only) The Agriculture Department is increasing the amount of assistance available to drought-stricken cattle producers by adding coverage for feed transportation costs to the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees and Farm-raised Fish Program.
In June, the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded Reynoldsburg City Schools a $91,180 Farm-to-School Grant to diversify the pathway as well as grow and distribute food at its urban farm.
By the end of the century, scientists expect climate change to reduce corn yield significantly, with some estimating losses up to 28 percent. But those calculations are missing a key factor that could drag corn yields down even further: Weeds.
The Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Conservationist of the Year Award, is designed to annually recognize a certified crop adviser who delivers exceptional conservation advice and results, customer service, is highly innovative, has shown that they are a leader in conservation, and has contributed substantially to the exchange of conservation ideas and the transfer of conservation knowledge within the agriculture industry.
Des Moines Register: Opinion: Healthy Iowa soils are a must for both agriculture and the environment
By Kathleen Woida
09/05/21
(Opinion) One-third of Iowa fields are currently under no-till, and only about four percent are planted in cover crops. It’s definitely progress. But both these numbers must increase significantly statewide, ideally through voluntary efforts supported by government programs, agribusiness, and consumers.
Several small agriculture and aquaculture businesses in Rhode Island are sharing in more than $250,000 in grant awards aimed at spurring growth.
Researchers are finding that when pulverized rock is applied to agricultural fields, the soil pulls far more carbon from the air and crop yields increase. More studies are underway, but some scientists say this method shows significant benefits for farmers and the climate.
(Subscriber Only) House Democrats are proposing historic funding for conservation programs, agricultural research, renewable energy and forestry and other climate-related priorities as part of a $3.5 trillion tax and spending package.
Northern Water will give $500,000 over five years for the Colorado State Forest Service to fund measures aimed at reducing the severity and impacts of future wildfires, the organization said.
For Joyce, regenerative farming starts with the first principle — soil health, measured by the percentage of soil organic matter that makes up 3-6 percent of productive soils. He says he’s increased his soil’s organic matter by two percent in the last three years.
Sometimes during the worst of times, you see the human spirit at its best. Neighbor helping neighbor. That’s exactly what happened when online donations began pouring in to help the farm.
“We’ve been able to use good fire here and there over the years, but with trends pointing towards drier and warmer fire seasons there may come a point where the risk of a natural fire getting away from us is too much to take on,” Gabler said.
Agriculture officials in Vermont are asking people to remain aware and vigilant following the recent discovery of an invasive pest that could harm fruit crops and other products.
Not only will the cover crop suppress weeds, but it also improves living conditions for the organism below-ground and above-ground.
Depending on the level of defoliation and plant moisture, row crops left standing may still provide a grain crop and, if not, a viable grazing or green chopping option. The Iowa Extension has two excellent publications on decision-making after hail for corn and soybean that may be helpful. If the grain crop is determined to be a loss, there are several options to consider.
While not a great deal of published studies exist that specifically look at nitrogen impacts on South Dakota’s grasslands, it is important to note that studies conducted elsewhere can shed some light on observations of fertilizer impacts to grasslands here in South Dakota and the region.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has launched a new multi-platform website that partners Arkansas Farm to School with Arkansas Grown, the first website of its kind that connects farm to school to a state’s local food branding programs.
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