News from May 2023


Agriculture and Interior Departments Invest $2.8 Billion to Improve Public Lands Access and Support Conservation Efforts Across the United States

News Release: Historic investments from Great American Outdoors Act will create thousands of jobs, improve infrastructure on our federal lands, and safeguard the environment


Chairman Thompson and Chairman Mann Express Concern Regarding SCOTUS Prop 12 Ruling

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the United States Supreme Court ruled to uphold California’s Proposition 12, which mandates a variety of animal production standards and would specifically ban the in-state sale of pork from hogs not raised in accordance with the California law, even if those hogs were raised...


Four Corners Issue Joint Statement on Farm Bill White House Meeting

News Release: WASHINGTON, DC - Following a meeting with President Biden and Secretary Vilsack, Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson, Ranking Member David Scott, Senator John Boozman, and Senator Debbie Stabenow issued the following statement...


Agriculture Department discusses Section 306C Water and Waste Disposal (WWD) Loans and Grants on May 11

The US Agriculture Department published a one page rule on May 11, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


USDA Announces Signup for New Rice Production Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin sending prefilled applications to rice producers the week of May 8 for the new Rice Production Program (RPP), which will provide up to $250 million in assistance to rice farmers based on 2022 planted and prevented planted acres.  


USDA, Colorado Introduce Additional Conservation Practice to Address Regional Drought Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the State of Colorado are continuing and strengthening their Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partnership to support and empower Colorado’s agricultural producers and landowners in reducing consumptive water use and protecting water quality, while conserving critical natural resources.


USDA Announces New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets and Support Producers

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification.


APHIS Announces Finding of No Significant Impact to Control Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in Arizona

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decisions for environmental assessments (EAs) to control grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in parts of Arizona.


APHIS Invites U.S. Stakeholders to Submit Topics on IPPC Standards and Implementation

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat has issued a call for topics for new plant health standards, revisions to adopted standards, and new tools that support the implementation of standards.


Guideline for Ready-To-Eat Fermented, Salt-Cured, and Dried Products Now Available; Webinars on Guideline Scheduled

Today, FSIS announced the availability of a guidance document for manufacturing ready-to-eat (RTE), shelf-stable, fermented, salt-cured, and dried meat and poultry products that do not use cooking as the primary lethality step.


USDA Announces Signup to Help Rhode Island Farmers Transitioning to Organic

NRCS State Conservationist for Rhode Island, R. Phou Vongkhamdy, announces the fiscal year 2023 signup to help Rhode Island farmers and forest landowners transition to organic production.


NRCS State Technical Committee to Hold Meeting May 17

This is an exciting time to be in agriculture. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is offering unprecedented opportunity for our South Dakota farmers and ranchers to try new conservation activities and with financial support through our Farm Bill programs.


USDA Announces Signup to Help Rhode Island Farmers Transitioning to Organic

NRCS State Conservationist for Rhode Island, R. Phou Vongkhamdy, announces the fiscal year 2023 signup to help Rhode Island farmers and forest landowners transition to organic production.


NRCS State Technical Committee to Hold Meeting May 17

This is an exciting time to be in agriculture. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is offering unprecedented opportunity for our South Dakota farmers and ranchers to try new conservation activities and with financial support through our Farm Bill programs.


Are you gardening or farming in an urban environment?

From community gardens to indoor vertical farms, urban agriculture provides critical access to healthy food for local communities, as well as jobs, increased green spaces, and closer community ties.


NRCS Announces 2023 Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership

Illinois USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will offer Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership (JCLRP) funding for portions of four counties in Southern Illinois.


NRCS Joined the PARTY FOR THE PLANET on Earth Day Weekend 2023

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state office staff and others from several field offices around Colorado spent the weekend celebrating Earth Day 2023 with kids of all ages at the Children’s Museum of Denver.


Snowmelt Runoff Season Has Begun Across Colorado

In addition to above normal snowpack across much of the state, primarily in Western Colorado, lower elevation snowpack were particularly plentiful leading to substantial early season runoff in some basins.


APHIS Announces Finding of No Significant Impact to Control Grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in Montana

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) completed Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Decisions for environmental assessments (EAs) to control grasshoppers and Mormon crickets in parts of Montana.


Apply for the Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative in Montana’s Prairie Pothole Region

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Migratory Bird Resurgence Initiative.