…provide new conservation opportunities through its competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the department will invest up to $25 million for projects that…
Nominations for Trade Advisory Committees
…to support a strong next generation of farmers and ranchers by improving access to land and capital; building new markets and market opportunities; and extending new conservation opportunities. USDA has…
Food and Forestry Research and Development Projects
…conservation and other agricultural issues. These competitive grants are made through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which is coordinated by the Small Business Administration and administered by 11…
GMO Article Paints Incomplete Picture
…well. GMO technology provides for weed control without tilling the soil multiple times. This has dramatically increased the use of conservation tillage, reduced soil erosion, improved water quality, and reduced…
New Rangeland Fire Science Plan
…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…
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
…consumption with an expected output of 198 million BTUs. Vilsack also announced that Pedernales Electric Cooperative of Johnson City, Texas, received an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program (EECLP) loan…
Funding for Organic Agriculture Research, Education-Extension Projects
…socioeconomic conditions and farm business management; Examine optimal conservation and environmental outcomes relating to organically-produced agricultural products; and Develop new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic…
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…
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;…
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…