CEO JEREMY PETERS TESTIFIES BEFORE HOUSE LAWMAKERS

This morning, NACD CEO Jeremy Peters testified on behalf of the organization before the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. In his opening statement, Peters explained to the panel how conservation districts provide a crucial public service by offering on-the-ground conservation planning and tailored technical assistance to landowners.

You can read Peters’ full testimony, as prepared for Lee McDaniel, NACD’s immediate past president, here in NACD’s Newsroom. To read today’s press release, click here, and to read a blog post on NACD’s nine farm bill principles, click here.



As part of a six-month series on district operations, the Did You Know? monthly feature in eResource will highlight chapters of the NACD District Outlook Task Force report: “Blueprint for Locally-Led Conservation – A Strategy for District Success and Sustainability” (available here on our website). This month’s chapter tackles communications.

For most conservation districts, many of their residents, landowners, and local and state government officials have little or no knowledge of what a district is, much less what a district can or is currently doing to conserve their community’s valuable natural resources.

Conservation districts can’t afford to be a ‘best kept secret’ any longer. Click here to read more on NACD’s blog.


INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING YOUR OWN RESEARCH?

USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program (SARE) just released a 32-page bulletin with detailed instructions for producers on how to conduct farm-level research.

“How to Conduct Research on Your Farm or Ranch” is available for free download (click here to be redirected to SARE’s website) and includes a comprehensive list of in-depth resources and real-life examples of on-farm research, like the story of a Missouri crop and livestock farmer who tested the effect of additional cover cropping on forage.


TEXAS ASSOCIATION HOSTS ‘SOIL HEALTH SHORT COURSE’

Last week, more than 250 producers attended the Texas Soil Health Short Course – a two-day event hosted in partnership by the Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Texas NRCS, and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board.

The short course featured presentations and demonstrations by scientists and NACD Soil Health Champions, and was capped off with a field tour. Head over to NACD’s blog for a full account!


NACD WEBINAR ON ‘WATER POSITIVE LANDSCAPES’

NACD has joined The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and a dozen other organizations to help homeowners use water more efficiently. This national initiative, “Water Positive Landscapes,” will be featured on the next NACD Urban and Community Conservation webinar on March 16 from noon-1:00pm Eastern.

The Water Positive Landscapes initiative is an integrated program that shows consumers how they can help protect their community’s water resources. One of the presenters – Mike Shelton, manager for corporate social responsibility at Scotts – will give an overview of the initiative and explain how it can support district efforts.

These popular, monthly webinars are sponsored by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company in partnership with the NACD Urban and Community Resource Policy Group. There is no cost to participate, but please register to attend by emailing Debra Bogar at deb-bogar@nacdnet.org with your name, title, district or business name, and state.


TRUMP SIGNS EXEC ORDER TO REVAMP WOTUS

One of the promises President Donald Trump made during his campaign was to overhaul the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Today, Trump signed an executive order directing the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to begin revamping the rule, which is currently on hold due to pending lawsuits.

The executive order instructs both agencies to ensure the rule promotes economic growth and minimizes regulatory uncertainty, and according to the president, begins “paving the way for (its) elimination.” To read more about NACD’s position on WOTUS, click here to be redirected to our website.


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