News from May 2023


Application Date Set for Oglala Livestock Water Project

Conservation Implementation Strategy (CIS) Project Oglala Livestock Water Development Project will soon be underway on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near Oglala, South Dakota, serving the community and improving land quality.


USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Sign-up for Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production

State Conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia, Terrance O. Rudolph is announcing a sign-up for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).


New Organic Transition Initiative Funding Available For Ohio Producers

Ohio producers interested in transitioning to organic production are eligible for new funding opportunities tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), which is investing $75 million in conservation assistance.


FY23 Organic Transition Initiative batching period now open

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Washington (NRCS-WA) announced the application batching period opened today for the Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) for Fiscal Year 2023.


Indiana Grazing Bites May 2023

I’ve had two people ask lately about the yellow flowered plant that has suddenly invaded one of their pastures this spring.


NRCS in the Pacific Islands Area Extends Cut-off Date for Producers and Forest Land Managers for Joint Chiefs Project in Guam

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands Area (PIA) is seeking producers and forest land managers to apply for funding through Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Partnership Project, “Making Southern Guam Firewise”.


USDA and World Wildlife Fund partner to deliver up to $1 million in Regional Conservation Partnership Program funding on Grazing Lands and Support for Farmers and Ranchers in South Dakota and Nebraska

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) are making one million dollars in financial assistance for livestock producers on grazing lands.


North Shore O’ahu Producers Encouraged to Apply for Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conversation Service (NRCS) in the Pacific Islands Area (PIA) and the O‘ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council (RC&D) are seeking producers and private landowners to apply for funding through a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project, “O‘ahu North Shore Working Wetlands”.


USDA Funds Available to Improve Michigan Forest Habitat

Private forestland owners in Michigan can receive conservation financial assistance through a partnership including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Bird Conservancy.


Strategic Approach and New Investments for Addressing Water Supply Challenges for Producers in the West

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to making Western communities more resilient to the impacts of drought and climate change, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new investments and strategies to help farmers and ranchers conserve water, address climate change, and build drought resilience in the West, which is supported in part by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).


NRCS celebrates Earth Day at the world's largest green gathering

For the 12th year in a row, NRCS exhibited at EarthX at Fair Park in Dallas April 12-23, 2023.


NRCS is Now Accepting Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Applications

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wyoming is currently accepting applications for enrollment into the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program.


Easier Enrollment in WIC Leads to Healthier Moms and Kids

WIC is one of the most powerful, evidence-based public health programs, setting moms, babies, and young kids up to be healthy and thrive.


Integrating Nutrition into Healthcare in the Midwest

Can you imagine a day when healthcare is mostly proactive as opposed to reactive? Imagine if everyone has access to the vital conditions for health and wellbeing:


SNAP E&T Program Creates Opportunities and Incentivizes Work

Most Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants who can work already do. SNAP’s food assistance benefits are critical to helping these workers put food on the table as the jobs they hold often pay low wages, offer unreliable hours, and don’t provide benefits like paid sick leave.


Estimating the State-Level Food Expenditure Series

The USDA, Economic Research Service’s Food Expenditure Series (FES) is a comprehensive measure of the total value of food acquired in the United States over time.


NIFA Invests $6M in Foundation Knowledge of Ag Production Systems

The Foundational Knowledge of Agricultural Production Systems program supports plant research to advance our knowledge for the wide range of agricultural production systems found across the rural-urban continuum, from conventional open-fields to protected built environments.


The Biggest Asset is You

The following story originally was published by SARE and is reprinted here with permission.


Land-grant Universities Key in Managing Devastating Emerald Ash Borer

In recent years, EAB has become a significant threat to urban and community forests throughout the nation as it kills both stressed and healthy ash trees that not only beautify neighborhoods but provide shade to cool streets and homes.


1890 Scholarship Rekindles Mother of Four’s Dream of Finishing College

The 1890 Scholarships Program, which is funded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, provides scholarships to support recruiting, engaging, retaining, mentoring and training of undergraduate students at the 1890 Land-grant Institutions.