…plans are also based upon well-vetted research,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Balancing conservation with agricultural demands is no easy task. The decisions Western farmers and ranchers and other private…
Enrollment Period for Safety Net Coverage in 2017
…opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,700 biobased products through USDA’s BioPreferred program; and invested $64 billion in infrastructure…
World Wildlife Numbers Down Since 1970
A new report from the World Wildlife Fund says populations of wildlife around the globe have plunged near 60 percent since 1970. Reuters says the data shows conservation efforts in…
Protecting Sensitive Agricultural Lands
…a million Americans who have contracts with the government to protect sensitive agricultural lands. The investment, part of the voluntary USDA Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), will allow producers to protect…
Funding to Help Agricultural Producers / Small Rural Businesses
…incomes rose 3.4 percent last year. Small business entrepreneurship, which Value-Added Producer Grants support, is a major reason why rural America is a making a comeback.” Vilsack VAPG grants can…
Soil Health Key Topic of Climate-Smart Ag Meeting
…practices include: Growing cover crops to prevent erosion and nutrient losses, Implementing conservation tillage like no-till or strip-till, and Using advanced, science-based nutrient management techniques to reduce nutrient loss. The…
Improve Energy Efficiency, Adopt Renewable Energy Systems
…several local business owners who will make use of these loans and grants. “Cutting our energy waste is one of the fastest, easiest and cheapest ways to help families save…
Extension Educators Receive National Honors
…than 280 educational presentations, reaching more than 16,900 participants and obtained more than $5.5 million in grants and contracts to develop and implement extension programs. The team from University of…
Funding for Organic Agriculture Research, Education-Extension Projects
…Production in West Virginia. USDA is committed to helping organic agriculture grow and thrive. USDA supports the organic sector through a wide variety of programs, including conservation grants, organic crop…
NACD pleased With Final ACEP Rule
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has reviewed the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) final Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) rule and is pleased to hear of its submission…
Smelling Huanglongbing for Early-Detection
…smart to start this research some time ago. “The citrus industry was very fortunate and very forward-thinking to have seeded grants and seeded roots with so many groups because we’re…
Additional Lender Category for Small-Scale Operators
…capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has developed new markets for rural-made products, including more than 2,700 biobased products through USDA’s BioPreferred program;…
Agriculture in the Classroom: Two Tulare County Teachers Team Up
…watching their seeds and students grow. For free teaching resources, grants and other agricultural education opportunities offered by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, visit LearnAboutAg.org. You can…
Final Rule for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a final rule on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), the nation’s premier conservation easement program that helps landowners protect working agricultural lands…