…rural areas.” USDA is making the investments through the Electric Infrastructure Loan Program. This program helps finance generation, transmission and distribution projects; system improvements; and energy conservation projects in communities…
NRCS Partners in California Receive $1.3 Million for Conservation Innovations
…million through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nationally-awarded Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). All three projects support soil health innovations. “These grants will help spur creativity and problem-solving on…
USDA Invests in Healthy Food Options for Low-Income Families
…of grants to encourage the purchase of fruits and vegetables. A total of 24 grants totaling $21 million will assist participants of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to increase…
NACD Sends Letter to Farm Bill Conference Committee
…the organization’s legislative priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill. NACD supports a final bill that includes level funding for the Conservation Title, retains the current conservation delivery system within the…
NCGA Seeking Good Steward Nominations
…farm of demonstrating the economic and conservation value of soil management.” This year anyone can nominate a candidate for recognition if they are a corn grower member of the association….
Coalition Urges State Board to Reject ‘Unimpaired Flows’ Plan
…or address species that prey on protected fish. “Until every opportunity has been exhausted for creative conservation and collaboration,” the letter concluded, “a difficult and damaging regulatory path which is…
Secretary Perdue Statement on EJC Ruling on Genome Editing
…agricultural products has strategic innovation and trade implications for U.S. agriculture. For this reason, USDA has clear science- and risk-based policies that enable needed innovation while continuing to ensure these…
USDA Invites Comments on the Implementation of the e-Connectivity Pilot Program
…Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send your comments to Michele Brooks, Rural Development Innovation Center, Regulations Team Lead, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Stop 1522, Room 1562, Washington,…
Study: Farmers Will Buy Less Crop Insurance if it Costs More
…“Crop insurance is already expensive, but participation is necessary to obtain new loans to invest in new technologies and conservation practices,” Woodard says. “Significantly cutting this support would not only…
USDA Invests in Projects to Spur Innovation in Grazing Lands, Organic Systems and Soil Health
…Grants program helps spur development and adoption of new conservation approaches and technologies. “Through our Conservation Innovation Grants, we are able to bring together a wide array of groups to…
Livestock Groups Highlight Misuse of Environmental Laws
…is now an unavoidable obstacle for ranchers seeking to put conservation benefits on the ground. A major example in the sheep industry is the loss of grazing over conflicts with…
Water Recycling Projects Continue Improving Agricultural Water Supplies
Water recycling projects in California are nothing new, but continued improvements and investments will be an important feature of water conservation moving forward. Multiple research projects are looking at various…
Benefits of Sustainably Harvesting Non-timber Forest Products
…Service report helps fill this gap and guides readers through the laws and regulations at the local, state and federal levels that complicate sustainable management and conservation of these important…
Food Processing Grants Available to Help Improve Energy Efficiency
…Bill 109 and the creation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. There will be two tiers of food processing grants available through the program. Tier one grants will range from…