Latest news with #ConservationStewardshipProgram
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Farmers in Richland County can get paid to plant cover crops — here's how
The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District is accepting applications for the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Cover Crop Cost Share program. Enrollment is open until June 20, according to an announcement. The program aims to encourage farmers and landowners to plant cover crops to reduce soil erosion and enhance soil health. In 2024, the program helped establish cover crops on 380 acres of farmland in Richland County. Producers accepted into the program will receive $12 per acre for cover crops planted. A cap of 175 acres applies for landowners enrolling in multiple counties. Enrollment is open for those landowners and farmers within the assessment zone. However, cover crops planted in the watersheds of Charles Mill or Pleasant Hill Lakes qualify for funding without an acreage cap. Participants must note that they cannot enroll in this program if they already receive funding for the same cover crop through other programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or the Conservation Stewardship Program. Additionally, applicants must adhere to the seeding dates and rates set by the United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service. To apply or for more information, interested parties can contact Technician Matt Wallace at 419.747.8687 or via email at This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County farmers: Want $12 an acre to plant cover crops?
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Congress must fund Farm Bill conservation programs to protect local ranches
For close to 40 years, my wife, Sara, and I have practiced holistic management of our ranch near Vinita, Oklahoma. Holistic management means being gentle on our land and livestock, working not through force, but through partnership. We joke that if there was ever yelling during a round-up, it was at each other and not at our animals. As a rancher in the seventh decade of his life, my thoughts often stray to the legacy I'll leave to my four children and 12 grandchildren. I am motivated by a deep desire to do the right thing by my land and my family. This same desire is why I serve on the boards of both Holistic Management International and the Oklahoma Grazing Lands Coalition. Just as everything on our ranch works together, from the cattle and wildlife down to the microbes in the soil, agricultural producers cannot do our jobs alone. Over the years, our ranch has been fortunate to receive help from Farm Bill conservation programs. These programs, however, are currently in jeopardy, facing major budget and staffing cuts right at a moment when Oklahoma's family farmers and ranchers are in acute need of support. The Farm Bill is critical to the care and conservation of working lands such as my family's. For 10 years, the Conservation Stewardship Program has helped to finance our ongoing efforts to return old cropland back to healthy prairie. These pastures, full of diverse grasses, legumes, flowers, forbs and weeds, don't just make for happy cattle. They provide habitat for northern bobwhite quail — creatures whose presence enlivens our ranch — and a host of other wildlife. For ranchers, healthy land and water often means a healthy wallet. As I have improved management of my pastures, I've been able to eliminate the use of fertilizer, rely on hay to supplement in limited quantities, and only use herbicides strategically to control invasive woody species like red cedar. Our holistic grazing practices, enabled in part by the Conservation Stewardship Program, mean that our cattle have plenty to graze, even in winter. Research underscores the Farm Bill's value to the economy. According to a recent analysis, the four major Natural Resources Conservation Services programs support nearly 1,000 jobs each year in Oklahoma and drive $32.2 million in total household income. Across the country, these programs support more than 46,000 jobs each year and have a return on investment of $1.58 for every dollar invested. More: At first, I questioned the value of wind energy, but now I see its value | Opinion Farm Bill programs also ensure that ranches stay ranches, and farms stay farms. Our ranch was recently accepted into the Agricultural Land Easements program, which will permanently protect it from commercial development. ALE gives me peace of mind that my children will be able to continue our family business, which has endured since 1907. I am far from alone in my gratitude for the Farm Bill. Here in Oklahoma, where roughly 73% of all land is agricultural, applications to Farm Bill programs far exceed available resources. As family farmers and ranchers reel from severe weather and economic turmoil, these programs offer a way to save money, recover after drought and other disasters, and make our operations more resilient for the long term. I urge Oklahoma's congressional delegation to fully fund Farm Bill conservation programs and pass a new Farm Bill as soon as possible. These commonsense programs support sustainable businesses, thriving rural communities, and flourishing land for children, cattle — and quail. Jim Shelton is a rancher based near Vinita. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why Congress must fund Farm Bill conservation programs | Opinion
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
New report exposes over $50 million in losses from dire issue affecting farms: 'Considerable impacts'
Extreme weather has dealt a severe blow to Connecticut's farming community, with a recent survey revealing millions of dollars in losses in 2023 and 2024. As detailed by Inside Investigator, Connecticut farmers have reported devastating financial losses ranging from a few hundred dollars to over a million dollars per farm, according to a survey conducted by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg). The survey results — which revealed over $50 million in losses overall — prompted the state to request nearly $84 million in emergency block grant funding from the United States Department of Agriculture to help affected farms recover. Excessive moisture and flooding stand out as the primary culprits behind these agricultural losses, according to the report. Historic flooding hit the Connecticut River Valley in 2023, while western Connecticut experienced significant flooding in 2024. These events particularly damaged vegetable, fruit, and aquaculture production, with Hartford and New Haven counties reporting the highest number of responses to the survey about affected farms. "These weather extremes resulted in considerable impacts to farmers; including losses in harvestable production, yield, and crop quality; infrastructure damage; equipment; and increases in the cost of production," CT DoAg noted in its request to the USDA. The devastation of Connecticut farms affects everyone in the region. When local farms struggle, our food security weakens and prices can rise at grocery stores and farmers markets. A stable local food system provides resilience against supply chain disruptions. The financial toll on farming communities also ripples throughout rural economies. For every dollar a farm loses, local businesses such as equipment dealers, feed stores, and processing facilities can also suffer. These weather-related disasters also push more family farms toward bankruptcy, threatening a way of life that has defined Connecticut's landscape and culture for centuries. While the immediate economic impact is measured in the tens of millions, the long-term cost of inaction would be far greater. Investing in climate adaptation now is significantly less expensive than dealing with collapsed food systems and abandoned agricultural lands later. Connecticut's request for nearly $84 million in block grants could compensate farms for weather-related losses and help to invest in resiliency projects on individual farms. Organizations like the Connecticut Farm Bureau offer resources to help farmers navigate disaster assistance programs and implement climate-smart agricultural practices. The USDA's Conservation Stewardship Program also provides financial and technical assistance to farmers implementing practices that build soil health and increase farm resilience. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. On an individual level, building awareness of critical climate issues will help you understand how you can make a difference. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Funding freezes and staff cuts pull the rug out from under farmers
South Dakota surpassed 7 million acres enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program when Reed Petersek enrolled his Lyman County land in 2017. The program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, helps landowners build on existing conservation efforts and do more. (Courtesy of USDA-NRCS/Flickr) What happens in Washington, D.C., can oftentimes feel far away, disconnected from everyday life in the rest of the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent efforts to streamline the federal government have, and will continue to have, unintended consequences for farmers' and ranchers' efforts to conserve water, soil and wildlife habitat if cuts continue with a hatchet instead of a scalpel. Freezing conservation funds promised to farmers, many of whom have already spent the money, and slashing Natural Resources Conservation Service staff are only exacerbating the uncertainty farmers feel every year during planting. Efforts to make government more efficient and responsive to local needs may be pulling the rug out from America's farmers when certainty is what's needed most. For more about the impact of mass federal firings, funding freezes and grant cancellations in South Dakota, see Searchlight's DOGE in SD page. U.S. agriculture is already dealing with record costs, labor concerns and an uneasy global trading market. The freeze on conservation funding, coupled with NRCS staffing cuts, is not just an inconvenience; it's a threat to the economic viability of American farms and ranches, our communities, and the stewardship of land and prairies we depend on. This funding pause is preventing tens of millions of dollars from being spent in South Dakota. In 2022, Congress invested nearly $20 billion into USDA's voluntary, incentive-based, private lands conservation programs at NRCS nationwide. The funding began to hit the ground in 2023, and since then, over $29 million have been promised to South Dakotan producers, allowing farmers and ranchers to adopt conservation practices on over 600,000 acres. Many of these producers have already spent thousands of dollars of their own money to implement practices like planting cover crops, implementing rotational grazing and installing new irrigation systems — all with the understanding that they would be reimbursed in a timely manner, as usual. USDA's freeze means that many of those farmers are now in limbo, hoping they will receive the reimbursement they are contractually owed. News is starting to trickle out that some pots of funding are starting to be unfrozen. Although this is a good start, there is still great uncertainty about which funding pots and contracts are being unfrozen. It goes without saying that existing contracts should be honored, at a minimum, and producers should be provided with certainty about the availability of new funding for this year. Conservation programs don't just benefit farmers; they have broader economic impacts. When farmers engage in conservation practices, they're not only improving their land for future generations, but they're also investing in their communities. Conservation practices often result in better water quality, enhanced wildlife habitats and improved soil health. These improvements boost local economies by ensuring that farms can operate profitably over the long haul and contribute to the broader rural economy. Another consequence of the freeze is its impact on conservation easement funds that we, at Northern Prairies Land Trust, use to facilitate land protections for farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and Nebraska. Easement funds are often used to protect and restore prairies and grasslands — the fastest disappearing ecosystem in the world. Grasslands, threatened by urban sprawl, conversion to other uses, and a changing climate, are critical as duck and waterfowl breeding habitat, for water filtration, and as migration corridors for big game and other wildlife. The uncertainty caused by the funding freeze is slowing the conservation of prairies at a time when they need it most. CONTACT US Beyond the funding freeze, USDA's Farm Service Agency and NRCS have local offices here in South Dakota that are facing significant staffing reductions, which will only exacerbate these challenges. NRCS and FSA have locally based staff who administer USDA programs, execute contracts and help farmers address natural resource concerns on their farms. They help farmers and ranchers apply for financial assistance, provide technical assistance and guide them on best practices for land management and conservation. USDA funding delivered by NRCS and FSA staff provides significant support to farmers in South Dakota and across the country, and many of these staff have built strong, trusted relationships with producers and conservation groups in the state. Unfortunately, plans to further reduce staff and even close down some of these offices will leave farmers and ranchers unsure about who to turn to when they have questions about a program, natural resource concern, or reimbursement for money they've already spent. Delays will prevent landowners from accessing the technical support they need to implement effective conservation practices now, while they are planning for the whole year. Farmers are already on the frontlines of extreme weather, which has been increasing in frequency and severity for years. Now, USDA's funding freeze and staffing cuts are making their job even harder. It's time to put political divides aside and follow through for our South Dakota farmers and ranchers.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Farmers to Get First of $30 Billion Tranche for Downturn
(Bloomberg) -- American farmers will soon start receiving the first tranche of $30 billion in funding approved by Congress to fight a downturn in the markets, according to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Cuts to Section 8 Housing Assistance Loom Amid HUD Uncertainty Remembering the Landscape Architect Who Embraced the City How Upzoning in Cambridge Broke the YIMBY Mold NYC Office Buildings See Resurgence as Investors Pile Into Bonds Hong Kong Joins Global Stadium Race With New $4 Billion Sports Park Speaking at the Commodity Classic event in Denver, Rollins said that the initial $10 billion in assistance should start moving in the next few weeks. She asked her team to 'think creatively' about how to make the application process for the funds move quicker. Farm income has been under pressure for the last three years after crop prices declined, while the cost of seeds, fertilizer and equipment kept going up. The US, known for being a global agriculture powerhouse, is also losing share in overseas markets and has never imported so much food. 'The state of the ag economy, especially for row-crop producers, is perhaps the worst it's been in 100 years,' Rollins said on Sunday. 'The last thing we want to be is the bottleneck to get the funds that are so desperately needed.' The $30 billion in funding was approved in December, still under President Joe Biden, with Congress giving the US Department of Agriculture 90 days to start distributing the first tranche of assistance, Rollins said. But growers had become concerned that the agency's review of a number of activities would slow down payments ahead of the planting season. Rollins also said the USDA has completed a review of programs including the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, and will be releasing funds to all who participated in the programs. 'Right now is a very expensive time on the farm,' said Illinois soy and corn grower Ryan Frieders, who said the aid will help cover expenses like seeds before cash from the fall harvest comes in. 'It's going to provide immediate relief.' The additional money will help US farmers battle a global oversupply, with big crops expected in South America. Concern about tariffs is also spooking traders. After all, Mexico is the biggest market for American products corn and pork. Soybean for May delivery tumbled as much as 1.7% to $10.08 a bushel, while corn for the same period tumbled as much as 2.9% to $4.56 a bushel. Both reached the lowest value for a most-active contract since Jan. 10. South American production is 'set to overwhelm the global marketplace regardless of any localized crop concerns, and the trade is reflecting that export issue right now,' Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at StoneX, said in a report on Monday. 'Lingering tariff talk just adds more fuel to that fire.' During a press conference earlier on Sunday, Rollins said she has a strong relationship with new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime critic of pesticides and vaccines. 'Perhaps I can spend a little time making sure that he understands that some of the things maybe that he has been told, or believed, or has read isn't entirely accurate,' Rollins said. Pesticides and other crop inputs help 'ensure that we are able to continue to feed America and, frankly, to feed the world,' she added. --With assistance from Isis Almeida. (Updates with farmer quote, commodity prices from seventh paragraph.) Rich People Are Firing a Cash Cannon at the US Economy—But at What Cost? The US Is Withdrawing From Global Health at a Dangerous Time Trump's SALT Tax Promise Hinges on an Obscure Loophole Walmart Wants to Be Something for Everyone in a Divided America Snack Makers Are Removing Fake Colors From Processed Foods ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Sign in to access your portfolio
