U.S. soybean farmers are invited to tell the story of conservation on their farms by entering the 2012-2013 Conservation Legacy Awards. Winning entries will help tell the story to the public about how soybean farmers are committed to protecting the soil, water and air through outstanding environmental and conservation practices while continuing to farm profitably. Conservation Legacy Award winners from … Read More
Precision Ag in a Conservation Plan
During the 2012 Conservation in Action Tour the word “precision” came up multiple times. As precision ag continues to develop it is being seen as an effective tool for conservation plans and practices. One of our speakers addressed this subject. He’s Terry Griffin, farmer and also VP, Applied Economics for new precision ag company, CrescoAg. Terry says one example of … Read More
Land Forming For Sustainable Water Conservation
Last week I attended the 2012 Conservation in Action Tour courtesy of AGROTAIN. I’m going to share some of my stories here like this one with one of the speakers on the annual tour. Travis Satterfield grows mainly rice and soybeans in Mississippi. He has also served as Chair of Delta F.A.R.M. and is a member of the Mississippi Delta … Read More
USDA Investing in Mississippi River Basin Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and its partners will invest nearly $32 million this year in financial and technical assistance for five water quality and wetlands improvement projects in seven Mississippi River Basin states. When fully implemented, the projects will prevent sediment and nutrients from entering waterways, decrease flooding and improve bird and … Read More
Ag Groups Testify on Conservation
Several farm organizations provided input last week on USDA conservation programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. Among those who testified before the House Committee on Agriculture’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy and Forestry was National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Garry Niemeyer of Illinois who spoke on behalf of a broad coalition of agricultural organizations, including the American Soybean Association, the … Read More
2012 Conservation in Action Tour in Mississippi
The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) has announced their 2012 Conservation in Action Tour and it’s going to be done “southern style” in the Mississippi Delta region. CTIC Executive Director Karen Scanlon says they will host the event on May 31 near Tunica, Miss., which will include educational field visits, technology demonstrations and opportunities to speak directly with growers about … Read More
USDA, EPA and Minnesota Make Conservation Pact
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack this week signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USDA, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Minnesota to develop a new state conservation program for agriculture. The program is designed to increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices by farmers and ranchers that protect local rivers, streams and other waters by reducing fertilizer … Read More
January 31 Deadline for USDA Conservation Innovation Grants
January 31, 2012 is the deadline to submit project pre-proposals for fiscal year 2012 Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) from the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Pre-proposals support large-scale demonstration projects that test and prove original approaches to conserving America’s private lands. “These conservation grants continue to generate exciting new ideas that help farmers and ranchers run sustainable and profitable … Read More
USDA to Conduct Chesapeake Bay Conservation Survey
USDA is conducting a survey for the 2011 National Resources Inventory (NRI) – Conservation Effects Assessment Project (CEAP) to collect information from producers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed about farming and conservation practices on cultivated cropland. The information gathered from the survey will help USDA improve and strengthen technical and financial programs that help private landowners plan and adopt on-farm … Read More
Farm Foundation Forum Focuses on Conservation Options
Conservation options for future farm policy will be the subject of a Farm Foundation® Forum coming up next Wednesday, November 9 at the National Press Club in Washington DC. The Forum will include presentations from Iowa farmer Jim Andrew; David DeGennaro of the Environmental Working Group; Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions; Georgia farmer Ronnie Lee; and Wyoming rancher Patrick … Read More