News from May 2023


Third Sector New England

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) estimates that 40 percent of immigrants and refugees arriving in the United States have an agricultural heritage, and thousands have become farmers after resettling in the U.S.


Florida USDA NRCS Seeks Proposals for Innovative Approaches to Urban Agriculture, Water Conservation, Soil Health, and Carbon Sequestration

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida will invest up to $1,000,000 for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for urban agriculture, water conservation, carbon sequestration, and soil health.


USDA Organic Transition Initiative helps Florida farmers beginning certification process

Florida agricultural producers and farmers in the process of transitioning to organic certification can now sign-up for assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative (OTI)


USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions in Indiana

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs.


Hub helps host urban Earth Day workshop

The NRCS Dallas Urban Team, Dallas AgriLife Extension, and Southern Plains Climate Hub partnered to host a first of three-part series Urban Ag Workshop which was kicked off on Earth Day.


NRCS Announces $75 Million to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic as Part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced details around its $75 million investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.


USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions in Illinois

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is quickly ramping up hiring of new team members to help implement $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs.


Hub helps host urban Earth Day workshop

The NRCS Dallas Urban Team, Dallas AgriLife Extension, and Southern Plains Climate Hub partnered to host a first of three-part series Urban Ag Workshop which was kicked off on Earth Day.


NRCS Delaware Announces Signup to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic as Part of USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details around its $75 million investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.



NRCS California Assists California Farmers Transition to Organic Production

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is making federal funding available to assist California’s agricultural producers transition to organic production.


NRCS Oregon Announces Funding Available for Organic Transition Initiative

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Oregon announces funding available for the Organic Transition Initiative.


Minnesota NRCS announces the EQIP- OTI sign up to assist producers Transitioning to Organic as part of the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative

The Fiscal Year 2023 Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) provides funding to support producers transitioning to organic production by providing financial assistance and technical assistance to implement conservation practices that support organic production.


USDA Invests $17 Million in Partnerships to Restore Wetlands, Support Underserved Producers  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $17 million in five Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) projects, bringing together partners and landowners in a joint effort to return critical wetland functions to agricultural landscapes.


Apply for USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative in Montana

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Montana is accepting applications for the Organic Transition Initiative.


USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Tennessee Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Tennessee residents in 10 counties (Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton, and Wayne) recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that began on March 31, 2023, could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).


USDA Announces Approval of D-SNAP for Oklahoma Disaster Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income Oklahoma residents in two counties (McClain and Pottawatomie) recovering from tornadoes and severe storms that began on April 19, 2023, could be eligible for a helping hand from the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).



New Research Reveals How Grazing Management Practices Affect Cattle Weight Gain by Altering Foraging Behavior

Ranchers often rotate cattle seasonally among different pastures on their operations but may allow cattle to graze season-long in a single pasture.


USDA's Research Chemist Named Finalist in The Science, Technology and Environment Category For Samuel J. Heyman Service To America Medal

Vincent Edwards, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist, is being honored today as a finalist in the Science, Technology and Environment category for 2023 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal for his innovative work in developing effective new cotton-based medical gauze and dressings for trauma and chronic wound patients that are now in use by hospitals and first responders.