…the government should charge. The final resolution came in the Homestead Act, 1862, with a moderated pace that gave settlers 160 acres free after they worked it for five years….
Public Input Needed on How to Improve Conservation Practice Standards
…can be made to conservation practice standards for: Mitigation: to maximize climate benefits for practice standards currently considered Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Mitigation Activities as well as on any other…
USDA Invests $265 Million to Conserve 335,000 Acres of Forestlands
…by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is part of the Forest Legacy Program and aims to protect working forests that support rural economies and provide essential environmental benefits. In 2024…
EPA Finalizes Approval for California Clean Air Plan Updates in San Joaquin Valley
…supports California’s efforts to comply with the Clean Air Act’s requirements for reducing fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution, specifically targeting the 1997 PM2.5 national standards. The EPA also approved a…
Signup for Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Continues
Courtesy of NRCS The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) reminds landowners and eligible entities that signup continues for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). While…
USDA Announces Investment to Conserve Forestlands Nationwide
…President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is part of the Forest Legacy Program and aims to protect working forests that contribute to rural economies. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that these…
Salton Sea Restoration Project Expands to Protect Air Quality and Wildlife
A drone image shows the New River Diversion Structure near the location of a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Species Conservation Habitat Project Expansion at the Salton Sea in Imperial County,…
Deadline Approaching for California Farmers to Apply for Conservation Assistance
…are accepted year-round, producers aiming for the first review must apply by November 15, just days away. With the addition of Inflation Reduction Act funding, NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos…
Future of U.S. Biofuels Hinges on Sustainable Aviation Fuel Incentives
…credit used a “one-size-fits-all approach” that didn’t consider the diversity of farming practices nationwide. The biofuels industry has seen growth through policies like the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which…
NRCS Announces $1.5 Billion for Conservation Projects Aimed at Climate Action and Resource Protection
…These partner-driven initiatives aim to address natural resource challenges on agricultural lands, with partners contributing an additional $968 million, amplifying the impact of federal funding. Five of the projects are…
Election Results Set the Stage for New Priorities in Agriculture
…agencies face more restrictions when enforcing environmental regulations, such as those under the National Environmental Policy Act. Tax relief for farmers and ranchers is another priority. Lane emphasized the importance…
New Legislation Aims to Support Farmers’ Financial Needs for 2024
DepositPhotos The Farm Assistance and Revenue Mitigation (FARM) Act, introduced last month and supported by over 40 members of Congress, seeks to address immediate financial needs in the farming community….
Decline in California Farmland Values Raises Economic Concerns
Shutterstock image The California Farm Bureau reports a significant decline in San Joaquin Valley land values, attributed primarily to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA restricts groundwater pumping, which…
Upcoming Almond Conference Tackles Challenges with Unplanted Lands
The Almond Board of California’s upcoming Almond Conference will bring vital information and practical guidance to growers facing challenging decisions around land use due to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act…