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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.
03/16/22
In 2021, the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) introduced the Start Farming Mentorship Program to support new farmers by providing tours of local farm operations and onsite workshops about sustainable practices, including water conservation, composting, and permaculture.
The fiscal year 2022 omnibus appropriations package, which includes considerable increases to conservation investment, was signed into law by President Joe Biden. The National Association of Conservation Districts applauds both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as President Biden, for recognizing the importance of conservation and environmental protection programs and is pleased to see the package includes increased funding for these crucial programs.
The McKean County Conservation District received $3,500 for education and outreach events to provide participants hands-on knowledge of those practices implemented to improve water quality in their watershed and to prevent nonpoint source pollution.
The Baxter County Conservation District is running the Bull Shoals White River 319 Water Quality Program.
The Warren County Conservation District is looking for submissions to an art contest – Healthy Soil, Healthy Life.
By Connor Veenstra | Midland, MI | North Central Region
03/15/22
Part of Huron County Conservation District's success was due in part to Jeannette Renn, the conservation district's previous director. Through her efforts, the district received unprecedented funding for its programs and projects, in tandem with the NRCS.
The Broadwater Conservation District with the help of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has put together a grant for environmental rehabilitation for those whose property was affected by either the Woods Creek or Deep Creek Canyon Fires.
(Opinion) The Rice Soil and Water Conservation District provides conservation information, support, and program management for landowners and other local units of government. We are the technical experts and “boots on the ground” who understand our community’s needs and help landowners navigate conservation programs from start to finish.
The Bedford High School Envirothon Club members recently completed their 2022 community service event by collecting nearly 5,000 food items for the Weekend Backpack program.
(Subscriber Only) With the government finally funded for fiscal 2022, lawmakers can turn their attention to other policy issues and begin work on funding legislation for FY23.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadlines to apply for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity after requests from many stakeholders.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it is accepting applications for the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), which will provide up to $200 million for states to purchase local food for school meal programs.
A Southwest Florida farm is helping kids who lack resources outside of school learn about the environment. The Urban Community Farm in Dunbar strives to keep kids learning during the hours they aren’t in the classroom.
By Steve Davies | Washington, DC
03/16/22
(Subscriber Only) More technical assistance and streamlined application processes for conservation programs would help farmers adopt practices to reduce greenhouse gases, lawmakers were told at a hearing on how the next farm bill should address climate change.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced applications are now being accepted from Florida urban agricultural producers for Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production (UAIP) projects. These projects are under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which offers producers technical and financial assistance to address resource concerns on their land.
In her new book, Liz Carlisle shows that carbon can be stored in the soil if we adopt ancestral land management strategies, many of which are held by communities of color.
The best way for them to fight compaction caused by heavy equipment, Bly said, is with living roots – cover crops and diverse crop rotations.
Maine is looking for proposals of working farmlands and forests to preserve through its conservation grant program.
By Michelle Cheng | NY | Northeast Region
03/11/22
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on March 9 that it is accepting grant applications to provide “historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners” with technical support for programs and services including agricultural capital and credit as well as agricultural production.
After about seven years of cover crops, his family now sees improvements in the soil structure. Boucher shares these results and cover crop tips on the farm’s Facebook page and through the family’s seed company, Potential Ag.
By Amy Hadachek
03/17/22
Along with feeding the U.S. and the world, National Ag Day March 22 celebrates what farmers bring to the table, and teaches consumers where their food comes from. To tell that story, incorporating books about agriculture is at the top of the list for schools in the Central Plains.
For the past 40 years, CTIC has championed conservation farming by serving as a clearinghouse for information on sustainable agriculture practices ranging from reduced tillage to nutrient management and cover crops.
In a historic moment, four Caribbean nations sign MOU for the Save Soil movement, led by Sadhguru.
As part of the supplemental budget approved in the short session, lawmakers invested $5 million in the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program, which is tasked with preserving farmland. But since it was set up in 2017 under the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, a state agency that offers grants to preserve waterways, wetlands and natural areas, the heritage program has never been funded. Now the program has money to do its job – and at an opportune time.
A newly published study led by Yale School of the Environment researchers found that a projected urban expansion of up to 1.53 million square kilometers over the next three decades threatens the survival of more than 800 species — but also that a focus on urban planning that protects habitats can mitigate the impact.
Historic low snow levels are occurring in Southwest Montana. It could lead to water shortages in the state’s southern region, causing impacts on agriculture, fisheries and communities. But forecasters say there’s still hope for watersheds to recover.
(Opinion) North America's grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world.
In the last 30 years, urban farming has grown more than 30 percent. It’s hailed as one path to bring food security to areas with little. That’s why more cities are taking a vested interest.
It has taken some time for tree nut growers to become more receptive to implementing a cover crop system in their orchards. The practice has been shown to provide a series of benefits related to soil structure, bee health, and weed pressures.
The West is far from the only region experiencing remarkably dry weather so far this year. According to Thursday's report from the US Drought Monitor, more than 61 percent of the contiguous US is in some classification of drought.
Louisiana researchers are working on several projects to improve soil health and make crops more productive.
Insects and drought are taking an increasing toll on Colorado’s forests, challenging the long-term sustainability and resiliency of the state’s roughly 24.5 million acres of forest, a new report says.
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