Articles Tagged with ''Natural Resources Conservation Service''

Thousands of producers hoping to implement more conservation practices on their farms are lining up for government assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives and Conservation Stewardship programs, as the Agriculture Department touts the promises of climate-smart agriculture as a mitigator of climate change. But these programs, despite their billion dollar budgets, aren’t equipped to deal with this demand, forcing the agency to turn away the majority of applicants.

Three major farm groups are hoping to double the amount of cover crops planted in the United States through an initiative targeting Midwestern corn and soybean farmers.

Producers, lawmakers, and administration staffers all agree on the benefits of the technical assistance provided by Agriculture Department conservation officials. The only issue is getting the funding – and the people – to make it happen.

Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee are raising concerns the Biden administration is putting too much emphasis on promoting climate-related ag practices, with one GOP member suggesting the policy was increasing food prices.

Senate Democrats are nearing the end of their internal fight over whether to change the filibuster rules to pass elections legislation. The result is not in doubt, given that Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., remain steadfast in defending the filibuster.

The Department of Agriculture is making available $225 million for public-private partnerships aimed at conservation projects, with an eye on climate change mitigation, supporting urban agriculture and helping historically underserved producers.

Conservation groups and the Biden administration  are betting big that the promise of direct payments to farmers will supercharge their interest in cover crops, a practice relatively few have tried despite documented benefits to soil health, greenhouse emissions and water quality.

Western Growers has named Steve Mangapit as the organizations first chief operating officer, Jacob Villagomez has joined California Citrus Mutual and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has brought on Allen Curry and Johnnie Siliznoff.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has unveiled a new computer application that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to forecast and support better water management practices in the West.

The House finally cleared a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill late Friday that will provide an historic infusion of federal funding into rural broadband expansion and construction of roads, bridges, waterways and Western water projects.