Conservation

The National Association of Conservation Districts recently released policy recommendations for the 2023 Farm Bill.  The NACD’s Farm Bill Task Force has convened more than a dozen times to come up with recommendations that were recently approved by the NACD Board of Directors.  Their most im...

The USDA is seeking applications for projects that will improve its outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities.  The agency is looking to expand opportunities to participate in conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.  Th...

“This is an extraordinarily transformational and pivotal moment for American agriculture,” said Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack thanking the National Association of Conservation Districts during their recent annual convention.  He expressed t...

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention took place earlier this month down in New Orleans.  NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said it was an opportunity to do the business of NCBA.   “We have our policy committees that are meeting this week. They are producers who ar...

Over the last two legislative sessions, whenever the farming community heard about a new Riparian Bill coming from Olympia, concerns and worries started to grow.  But, this time, it could be different, so says state Representative Tom Dent.   ...

While understanding has grown over recent years between about the Farm Bill and how all pieces of that legislation go together, many in farm country say more needs to be done.  Will Stafford with CHS Inc. says it’s important to stress that the Farm Bill has little chance of clearing Congress as a standalone farm safety net and conservation vehicle; the nutrition title he says must be included.  He

The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program applications to be considered for funding this year is February 10th.  Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining agricultural production on their land.  The Departmen...

Climate change as an issue in the next farm bill is already causing temperatures to rise in the nation’s capital.  But if there’s anything farm leaders agree on, it’s conservation incentives, not dictates.   “Let the innovators compete, let them go after it and do what they want, it’s not ‘one size fits all,’ it gives them a shot to do it," said former Farm Service Agency chief, Jonathan Copp

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is spending nearly $560,000 on efforts to improve habitats for the Monarch Butterfly in Oregon and California.    “Protecting monarch butterflies is an urgent issue that requires sustainable solutions,” said Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, who secured additional western monarch conservation funding as Chairman of the Interior, Environment & Related Agenci

NRCS is encouraging Idaho farmers to participate in no-till November.   “We're excited to borrow from the no shave November, because in agriculture we have our own version of stubble, after harvest," said Mindi Rambo with NRCS-Idaho.  "And so ...