Conservation Clips are a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what's driving conservation. If you have a relevant submission, please contact your NACD Communications Team.

NACD Blog: Conservation Districts and the Sustainability Puzzle
By Laura Demmel
04/12/18

Conservation districts offer the Field to Market Alliance an opportunity to catalyze better natural resource management on the farm. In order for sustainability initiatives to be successful, on-the-ground needs for local, voluntary conservation efforts must be met.

Agri-Pulse: New farm bill tweaks commodity title, overhauls conservation
By Philip Brasher
04/12/18

The bill would make major, and widely anticipated, changes to conservation programs by folding the Conservation Stewardship Program into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and increasing the cap on the Conservation Reserve Program from 24 million acres to 29 million acres.

NPR: A Grass-Roots Movement For Healthy Soil Spreads Among Farmers
By Dan Charles
04/09/18

In American farm country, a grass-roots movement is spreading, a movement to keep more roots in the soil. Its goal: Promoting healthy soil that's full of life.

Agri-Pulse: Opinion: CRP: Ripe for Reform?
By Bruce Knight
04/09/18

(Opinion) Whether we get a farm bill this year or after the mid-term elections, I think it’s important to look at some of the ideas under consideration, especially regarding the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Should Congress adjust payment rates or expand acreage? Can we tweak the program to better safeguard the most environmentally sensitive land?

WGCU: Agriculture Producers To Get $2.36 Billion For Hurricane Recovery
By Jessica Meszaros
04/09/18

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that his department will divvy up $2.36 billion to agriculture producers across the country who lost business in areas where disasters were declared due to hurricanes or wildfires last year.

The Mercury News: Opinion: Water conservation bills offer map to California water security
By Mike Mielke
04/07/18

(Opinion) Two bills moving through the state legislature – AB 1668 and SB 606 – offer a roadmap to a reliable, affordable water future for California. These bills will establish efficiency targets for local water agencies that take into account each region’s population, land use, climate and other factors that impact water needs.

Lancaster Farming: Predators & Cover Crops Fight Field Critters
By Philip Gruber
04/06/18

Controlling animal pests in a grain field often requires a combination of practices. In the case of slugs and voles, wild animals and cover crops are two of a farmer’s best allies.

The State Journal-Register: After delay, Illinois soil and water districts to receive $5 million
By Brenden Moore
04/07/18

After a long delay, $5 million in funding for Illinois’ soil and water conservation districts will soon be released. Though in line with funding levels of the previous few years, it is much less than the nearly $13.5 million appropriated by lawmakers for the budget year that ends June 30.

Local 10: Gov. Rick Scott signs bill to target invasive species, like tegu lizard
By Sanela Sabovic
04/06/18

There has been a spike in the population of tegu lizards found in South Florida, leading Gov. Rick Scott to sign a bill this week targeting them and other non-native species, like Burmese pythons and lionfish.

Wallaces Farmer: Cover crop acres growing in Iowa
04/10/18

According to the Iowa Learning Farms 2017 Field Day Evaluation Report, Iowa cover crop acres grew last year by about 22% to 760,000 total acres.

Beef Magazine: What’s the big deal about soil? Everything
04/12/18

Soil health has become a frequent topic of conversation and for good reason—it’s the basic element of the cattle industry. Healthy soil grows abundant forage which keeps cattle producing in good body condition. Unhealthy soils can cause ranchers to file for bankruptcy.

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