California Ag Network

Tag: NRCS

  • USDA Addresses Western Water Challenges with $1.5 Million in CA’s Central Valley

    As part of the Biden 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, supported in part by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

    The Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action is a comprehensive, multi-state strategy under USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address key water and land management challenges across 17 Western States. This is the latest NRCS-issued Framework for Conservation Action, all of which provide direction, support and coordination to address resource concerns and threats across state boundaries and leverage new scientific tools to guide strategic program implementation on the ground. The Framework includes guidelines for identifying vulnerable agricultural landscapes and 13 strategies to help NRCS state leaders, water resource managers, and producers respond to priority challenges.

    Guided by this new framework, the WaterSMART Initiative will invest $25 million in three new priority areas and 37 existing priority areas, assisting communities and producers in the West.

    “Climate change is taking an enormous toll on farmers and ranchers in the West. Record breaking drought and exhausted water supplies are hurting agricultural operations and entire communities,” said NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. “WaterSMART investments are being directed where they can have the most impact, and the new Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action lays the foundation for helping producers and communities address pressing climate challenges and build resiliency for the future. Complemented by investments from the Inflation Reduction Act, USDA is utilizing this framework and all available tools to deliver assistance that the severity of the water supply challenges in the West demand.”

    NRCS leveraged stakeholder feedback from a public listening session, input from the field and the latest scientific data to shape and inform the framework.

    NRCS Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action

    Agricultural producers steward more than two thirds of the nation’s land resources. Water flows through these lands into reservoirs that supply communities with water. In many areas of the dry West, producers are struggling to irrigate their crops due to inadequate precipitation. Water supply in these areas is impacted by drought, increasing demand, and climate change.

    NRCS has identified six major water and working land management challenges resulting from threats to water supply in the West:

    1. Forecasting water supply.
    2. Sustaining agricultural productivity.
    3. Protecting groundwater availability.
    4. Protecting surface water availability.
    5. Managing and restoring rangelands and forestlands.
    6. Responding to disruptions from catastrophic events.

    For each of these major management challenges, opportunities exist to help individuals, entities and communities better manage water and working lands, conserve natural resources and build resilience to drought and climate change. Strategies include:

    1. Improve reliability of water supply forecasts.
    2. Improve soil moisture and irrigation water management.
    3. Improve water and nutrient management in crop fields and pastures.
    4. Modernize water infrastructure.
    5. Improve community water supply by completing watershed projects.
    6. Increase reuse of wastewater for agriculture and conservation.
    7. Prolong aquifer life.
    8. Complete managed aquifer recharge projects.
    9. Reduce surface water withdrawals.
    10. Install conservation systems that protect water quality.
    11. Restore and protect streams and wetlands.
    12. Manage and restore rangelands and forestlands.
    13. Increase resilience during disaster recovery.

    NRCS will use this framework to set comparable goals for effective program delivery and coordinate and track progress on helping individuals, entities and communities across the West address their management, conservation and resiliency needs.

    From 2020 to 2022, more than $410 million of annual conservation assistance NRCS provided to producers helped address drought in the West. Now, with the new Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action in place, NRCS can further leverage the tools and coordination to build upon these investments and expand support by advancing innovative targeting at the state, local and regional levels, while also utilizing additional funds from the Inflation Reduction Act that advance both climate mitigation and Western water priorities.

    WaterSMART Initiative

    The $25 million investment in three new priority areas and 37 existing priority areas in the West is the result of a collaboration with NRCS and the Department of Interior’s (DOI) WaterSMART Initiative to help farmers and ranchers conserve water and build drought resilience in their communities. These investments complement projects led by irrigation districts, water suppliers and other organizations receiving WaterSMART program funds from the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation. NRCS works with the Bureau of Reclamation to coordinate investments in the same community to accelerate water conservation and drought resilience and make a bigger impact where it is most needed.

    The three new priority areas include:

    • California: Madera Irrigation District Area (Funding amount: $1.5 million)
    • Hawaii: Kohala Watershed Partnership Area (Funding amount: $345,000)
    • Washington: Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District West Canal Area (Funding amount: $1.8 million)

    Today’s WaterSMART announcements compliment ongoing efforts across the Biden-Harris Administration to increase water conservation and address the historic drought conditions in the West. This week, the Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation also announced $728 million in new investments for water conservation measures in the West.

    Inflation Reduction Act and Climate-Smart Practices

    Assistance delivered through the Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action and the WaterSMART Initiative also help build resilience to climate-change impacts such as droughts, wildfires and floods. Many of the resilience-focused activities and systems are also Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry mitigation activities, which support carbon sequestration or greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Climate-smart mitigation activities are supported by the additional investments available from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    The Inflation Reduction Act is supporting investments in these and other mitigation activities in concert with NRCS’s ongoing work to help producers and communities improve their operations and protect our natural resources in the face of global challenges. NRCS also announced today $850 million in fiscal year 2023 funding opportunities for producers in Western states and across the nation who want to participate in NRCS conservation programs and adopt climate-smart practices. This is part of a $19.5 billion investment through the Inflation Reduction Act for climate smart agriculture.

    More Information

    Farmers, ranchers, irrigation districts, groundwater management entities, municipalities, tribes and others across the West are working together to secure clean and available water supplies, healthy soils, resilient landscapes and thriving agricultural communities, now and in the future. NRCS is working to assist them and accelerate voluntary conservation of water and working lands resources. Visit the NRCS website for more information on the WaterSMART Initiative and to read the Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action.

  • Registration Now Open for NCAT’s Latino Farmer Conference

    The National Center for Appropriate Technology and Natural Resources Conservation Service will partner to host the eighth annual Latino Farmer Conference, a Spanish-language sustainable agriculture conference for Latino farmers.

    The Latino Farmer Conference is a yearly event that seeks to build networks and provide learning opportunities for farmers on a range of technical and social issues relating to sustainable agriculture. The conference aims to provide trusted, practical, and culturally relevant information. Each session is created based on farmer feedback, and all content is presented in Spanish.

    “There are over 14,000 registered Hispanic farmers and ranchers in California, and according to the USDA, many of these farmers are historically underserved,” said NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist Omar Rodriguez. “At NCAT we strive to support a farming future that is equitable and just for all of California’s farmers, and this conference is a great way to do that.”

    After two years of hosting this conference online, NCAT and NRCS are happy to bring people together in person again. This year’s conference will be hosted in Escondido, California, on November 17 and 18. Activities on November 17 will consist of farm tours in the San Diego area, and will include visits to local farms, farmer cooperatives, and CSA operations. On November 18 attendees will gather at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido for a day of networking opportunities, exhibits, and presentations on topics relating to conservation, regenerative agricultural production, and business management.

    The Latino Farmer Conference is hosted by the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and would not be possible without the generous donations made by partners and friends working in regenerative agriculture.

    Register for the conference at: NCAT.ORG/LATINOFARMERCONFERENCE.ORG.

    THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. Headquartered in Butte, Montana, NCAT has field offices in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Learn more and become a friend of NCAT at NCAT.ORG.

    Ya está abierta la inscripción para la Conferencia de Agricultores Latinos de NCAT

    NCAT y NRCS están orgullosos de presentar la octava conferencia de agricultura sostenible en Español

    El Centro Nacional de Tecnología Apropiada (NCAT) y el Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS) se asocian para organizar la octava Conferencia Anual de Agricultores Latinos, una conferencia de agricultura sostenible en Español para agricultores Latinos.

    La Conferencia de Agricultores Latinos es un evento anual que intenta construir redes y brindar oportunidades de aprendizaje para los agricultores, sobre una variedad de temas técnicos y sociales relacionados con la agricultura sostenible. La conferencia tiene como objetivo proporcionar información confiable, práctica, y culturalmente relevante. Cada sesión de la conferencia se crea en base a los comentarios de agricultores y todo el contenido se presenta en Español.

    Hay más de 14,000 agricultores y ganaderos hispanos registrados en California y, según el USDA, muchos de estos agricultores están históricamente desatendidos,” dijo Omar Rodriguez, Especialista en Agricultura Sostenible de NCAT. “En NCAT nos esforzamos por apoyar un futuro agrícola que sea equitativo y justo para todos los agricultores de California. Esta conferencia es una manera excelente de hacer eso.” 

    Después de dos años de organizar esta conferencia virtualmente, este año reunirá a los asistentes de la conferencia en persona nuevamente. La conferencia de este año se llevará a cabo en Escondido, California, el 17 y 18 de noviembre. Las actividades del 17 de noviembre consistirán en recorridos por granjas en el área de San Diego, e incluirán visitas a fincas locales, cooperativas de agricultores, y operaciones de CSAs. El 18 de noviembre, los asistentes se reunirán en el California Center for Arts en Escondido para un día de networking, exhibiciones, y presentaciones sobre temas relacionados con la conservación, la producción agrícola regenerativa, y la gestión empresarial.

    La Conferencia de Agricultores Latinos es organizada por el Centro Nacional para Tecnología Apropiada (NCAT) en colaboración con el Servicio de Conservación de Recursos Naturales (NRCS) y no sería posible sin las generosas donaciones hechas por socios y amigos que trabajan en agricultura regenerativa.

    EL CENTRO NACIONAL DE TECNOLOGÍA APROPIADA ha estado ayudando a las personas a construir comunidades resistentes a través de soluciones locales y sostenibles que reducen la pobreza, fortalecen la autosuficiencia y protegen los recursos naturales desde 1976. Con sede en Butte, Montana, NCAT tiene oficinas de campo en Arkansas, California, Colorado , Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Pensilvania y Texas. Obtenga más información y conviértase en un amigo de NCAT en NCAT.ORG.

  • Pumpkin Production can Benefit from Conservation Practices

    Pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) are a common vegetable crop sold at local pumpkin patches and farmers markets, in addition to commercial production. In 2019, the value of harvested pumpkin was worth $180 million.

    In addition to the value of harvested pumpkins for commercial use (canned pumpkin, produce departments, etc.) pumpkins are also a staple crop in agritourism operations. In Kansas alone, there were 409 farms registered in the state in 2020. Agritourism enterprises have shown to benefit communities by connecting consumers with agriculture and help preserve farmland in rural and peri-urban areas.

    Vegetable crop production typically involves smaller acreages than agronomic production. However, farmers often rely on intensive cultivation of soil to prepare the seedbed for planting. Tilling also helps manage weeds.

    Agritourism enterprises have shown to benefit communities by connecting consumers with agriculture and help preserve farmland in rural and peri-urban communities. Shown here, a pumpkin patch where people can pick their own pumpkin as part of fall activities. Credit: Canva Pro

    Over time, extensive tillage can have negative effects on soil structure and microbial properties. Researchers in Kansas recently published a paper studying conservation practices for pumpkin production. The research was published in Soil Science Society of America Journal, a publication of the Soil Science Society of America.

    According to researcher Peter Tomlinson, “no-till production methods have been widely adopted by agronomic (field corn, soybean, wheat, etc.) growers throughout the United States. However, no-till practices for vegetable production in the Central United States are relatively rare. Mid-Atlantic States such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland have adopted no-till practices for pumpkin and other large-seeded vegetable crops.”

    The study compared growing pumpkins in a biannual tilled control system with annual tilled systems that used cover crops. “This project is designed to compare systems, rather than individual effects of cover crops or tillage,” says Tomlinson. The authors reported the effects of a three-year project on dynamic soil properties.

    The annual systems used cover crops planted into the soil. They were terminated before planting the pumpkins. The team researched cereal rye and oat alone, as well as cereal rye with other cover crops mixed in. They performed the study over three growing seasons at two sites – Eastern and South-Central Kansas. Both sites have humid climates with warm summers, and loam-type soils.

    A field planted with pumpkins grown in a cover crop system with cereal rye. Cover crops have proven environmental benefits, though many vegetable growers in the Midwest have been slower to adopt this conservation practice. A recent study showed soil health benefits with no reduction in yield. Credit: DeAnn R. Presley

    At each of the study sites, soil health was assessed at two key times; plots were sampled 2-3 weeks after pumpkin planting, and immediately after pumpkin harvest.

    The main soil physical property that was affected by management systems used in this study was an improvement with the use of conservation systems in total soil aggregation and the presence of very large aggregates. Soil aggregates are small particles of soil held together with a glue-like substance. This is usually due to microbial activity. Soil aggregates help in the stability of the soil making it less prone to wind and water erosion.

    “Adding cover crops and reducing tillage in a pumpkin production system can cause a measurable change in soil aggregation in a short period of time, two years in this study,” says Tomlinson.

    “There were few instances where the species or mixture of species influenced the results,” he continues. “Rather, the presence of cover crops in the conservation systems appears to have a more dominant role. The significance of this work is that it demonstrated there can be measurable changes in some dynamic soil properties in the short term (two years). This is within a system that involves a reduction in tillage operations and the addition of cover crops.”

    “We conclude that the use of less tillage and a cover crop in a conservation system is generally beneficial as compared to a conventional system. This study illustrates the potential for improving some soil health parameters in as little as two years,” says Tomlinson. Future research will focus on how the implementation of conservation system across a range of agricultural systems and time scales effect dynamic soil properties.”

    Funding for this research was provided by NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant.

    Cathryn Davis measuring infiltration rates in an oat cover crop during her MS research published in this paper (photo by DeAnn R. Presley)

  • Could Rangeland Return to the Central Valley?

    Public Policy Institute of California — California’s farmers are struggling to irrigate their crops during the current severe drought. At the same time, they’re in the early days of a major longer-term transition that will see them using less water overall to safeguard the long-term availability of groundwater, under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). A significant amount of irrigated farmland in the Central Valley—including many fruit and nut trees—will need to come out of production over the next two decades to help bring local groundwater basins into balance. This fallowing will have both environmental and economic consequences. Converting formerly irrigated farmland into rangeland—one of its historical uses—is one possible alternative to fallowing. It would keep the land economically productive, and the transition might bring other benefits—including avoiding some of the negative consequences of fallowing.

    We spoke with two experts about converting former orchards back into rangeland: University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) farm advisor Theresa Becchetti and UCCE county director and natural resources advisor Fadzayi Mashiri, who work in Stanislaus, Merced, and Mariposa Counties. They made it clear that establishing functioning rangelands on these lands will require coordination, complex decision-making, and concerted investment.

    Will ranchers be interested in grazing their animals on fallowed orchards? What would be the consequences of such a transition?

    Theresa Becchetti: There would definitely be interest in that. The Central Valley has a shortage of grazing lands available, and it gets competitive to find a lease. If there’s an opportunity, people will be waiting to fill it.

    Fadzayi Mashiri: The downside is that growers will lose the high economic returns that come from almonds and other orchard crops. These production systems offer as much as 10 times more economic returns than rangelands. But if the alternative is fallow, then rangelands have several upsides. They support more plant diversity, which is really important, especially when talking about mitigating climate change and ecosystem function and stability. Rangelands also offer habitat for wildlife and impact hydrology. Our research shows that conventional almond orchard management can lead to soil compaction, which means less water infiltration rates into the soil.

    What are some constraints to establishing functional rangeland on formerly irrigated cropland?

    TB: For the land manager, the big thing is cost. If it’s trees, there’s the cost of pulling out those trees, chipping and hauling them offsite, or keeping them on-site. There’s the cost of removing all that black plastic drip irrigation tape. There are infrastructure costs: interior fencing would have been pulled out. Perimeter fences would likely need to be rebuilt. And you’d need to replace water troughs—they’ve all been removed from orchards. The land will probably need some inputs to give it more plant diversity and livestock forage options. One advantage is that orchards have gotten rid of one invasive grass that’s predominant on rangelands: Medusahead grass. So we could start from a cleaner slate.

    FM: For ecologists, the issue is ecosystem integrity. We expect certain functions from rangelands, like plant diversity, water infiltration, and wildlife habitat. If orchards transition to rangelands, will we get those functions back? If so, at what level and how fast? We’ll definitely have to replant and add more species. We may not have the native grasses rangelands did historically, but we’d bring them closer to that by making sure diverse plant groups are represented.

    Are environmental regulations—which are intended to protect the integrity of ecosystems—hampering important land use transitions?

    TB: To me it’s not necessarily so much about regulations as policy. For example, for carbon-smart agriculture programs, the policy requires native perennial grasses on rangelands. But I’ve tried to plant natives and have not been successful—we just don’t get enough precipitation. I don’t think we can get back to perennials, even with a lot of inputs and herbicides. Policy changes that would allow more flexibility might help.

    FM: We have to really pay attention to the intended use and select plant species that can meet it. We need to add enough diversity, including nitrogen-fixing plants, deep-rooted perennials, and annual plants that are adapted to the area. That diversity will prevent soil erosion, build soil carbon, and build ecosystem stability in the areas that we’re trying to restore.

    What could make the transition from irrigated farmland to rangelands easier?

    TB: We need to work on paying for things like wildlife habitat and plant diversity; that will help level the playing field a little bit. The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has some incentives: if you manage transitioning land with seeding, rotational grazing, etc. to increase wildlife habitat and plant diversity, you can get a payment for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), but payments are not equivalent to profit from orchards. Are there opportunities for other payments for ecosystem services?

    What’s the big picture takeaway?

    FM: Landscape-level planning and climate-smart management strategies are needed because all these landscapes, although under the different land uses, are connected. Currently, we’re headed in the wrong direction. One piece of well-managed land will not help under these climatic conditions—we need more coordinated, integrated, and holistic efforts.

    —By Caitlin Peterson, Public Policy Institute of California

  • USDA in California Invests in Infrastructure to Protect Watersheds

    President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA is investing more than $166.5 million in 108 infrastructure projects as part of implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working with local communities in 23 states and territories to invest in new dam and flood prevention projects and in repairs on existing watershed infrastructure, which are all part of USDA’s broader national infrastructure investment.

    Through this first round of projects under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, NRCS prioritized projects in communities heavily impacted by natural disasters as well as historically underserved and limited resource communities.

    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed in November by President Biden, provided $918 million for NRCS watershed programs, which includes the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program, Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) and Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. Through NRCS watershed programs, NRCS works with local, eligible sponsors including state government agencies, local municipalities, conservation districts and federally recognized tribal organizations.

    In California, the IIJA is being used to fund EWP projects to prevent potential debris flow damage in post fire burn scars and is funding two watershed planning efforts for the Middle San Luis Rey and Ventura River watersheds along Southern California’s coast.

    “The Biden Administration is committed to building back better, and this starts with our infrastructure,” Vilsack said. “Protecting our watersheds and saving lives is paramount. These investments in our watershed programs will provide much needed support for communities to build resilience in the face of climate change. We can extend financial assistance to underserved communities that live in constant fear of flooding, help with the effects of severe weather events, and put systems in place that will ensure a climate resilient future to help communities thrive in the years to come.”

    A full list of projects is available on NRCS’ Landscape Planning and Watershed Programs webpage.

    Implementing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

    Since the bill was signed into law, NRCS has hosted training webinars focused on educating potential sponsors and historically underserved communities about the funding opportunities provided by the new legislation. NRCS conducted an assessment of current needs for watershed protection and flood prevention work. This assessment supported the establishment of priorities that focused funding on the most critical and highest priority projects for improving the Nation’s land and water resources.

    In California, NRCS encourages local sponsors to submit requests for funding through NRCS California State Conservation Engineer, Greg Norris at (530) 792-5609, or greg.norris@usda.gov. NRCS will compile any additional requests received and develop a second list of projects as funds are available. For more information on NRCS Watershed Programs, visit nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/.

    More Information

    Since their enactment in 1948, NRCS’ watershed programs have designed and built 11,000 dams, constructed water storage structures, flood management systems, bank stabilization, moved towns, redirected stream flows, re-established wildlife habitat and more to save lives and protect watersheds.

  • NRCS Conservation Funding for Farmers

    The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding this year is April 1, 2022.

    “CSP helps agricultural producers in California take their conservation activities on their farm or ranch to the next level of conservation stewardship,” said NRCS California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez.

    While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should act quickly to submit their application to their local NRCS office. Applications must be received no later than April 1, 2022 to be considered for 2022 funding.

    Through CSP, producers earn payments for actively managing, maintaining, and expanding conservation activities integrated within their agricultural operations. CSP enhancements like cover crops, grazing management, ecologically based pest management and buffer strips help producers improve soil health while protecting water quality. Other CSP activities help sustain and increase pollinator and beneficial insect habitat in harmony with agriculture production on their land.

    CSP also encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as advanced irrigation water management techniques and precision nutrient application. CSP helps increase plant community diversity on range and forestland and improves water quality on all agricultural land uses.

    CSP is an ideal program for producers who seek to extend conservation benefits they achieved using conservation management practices along with structural and vegetative practices to address resource concerns on their operations. Applicants will need to demonstrate a record of past management efforts, including past participation in NRCS management practices, to have a competitive application for CSP participation.

    Producers interested in CSP are recommended to contact their local USDA service center or visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

  • New Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to Meet March 23-24 

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will host the first public meeting of the inaugural Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on March 23-24, 2022.  The public – including urban producers– is encouraged to attend.

    “I look forward to working with this new urban agriculture federal advisory committee,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The committee’s valuable insights and expertise will provide critical guidance to help us better serve urban agricultural producers, strengthen local food systems, and increase equity and access to healthy, local food.”

    The new federal advisory committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Members were announced last month, and include agricultural producers, and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing.

    About the Meeting   

    USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is coordinating the meeting, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET on March 23 and 24, 2022. To attend, register by March 18, 2022.

    At the meeting, committee members will discuss administrative matters and consult on the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Urban, Indoor and Emerging Agriculture grants.

    Members of the public who wish to submit comments or questions related to urban agriculture may submit them via www.regulations.gov.

    Comments must be submitted by March 18, 2022.

    For special accommodations, please contact Leslie Glover at (602) 395-9536 or UrbanAgricultureFederalAdvisoryCommittee@usda.gov.

    Additional details are available in the March 8, 2022 Federal Register notice and online at farmers.gov/urban or on the committee’s webpage.

    USDA and Urban Agriculture 

    The Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production is part of a broad USDA investment in urban agriculture. Other efforts include:

    • Grants that target areas of food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers, and policy development related to zoning and other urban production needs.
    • Cooperative agreements that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.
    • Investing $260,000 for risk management training and crop insurance education for historically underserved and urban producers through partnerships between USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) and the University of Maryland, University of Connecticut, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.
    • Providing technical and financial assistance through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
    • Organizing 11 Farm Service Agency (FSA) urban and suburban county committees. FSA will organize additional committees.

    The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture. Its mission is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including community composting and food waste reduction.

    More information is available at farmers.gov/urban and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production website at www.usda.gov/partnerships/advisory-committee-urban-ag-innovative-production.

    Additional resources that may be of interest to urban agriculture entities include grants from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture as well as FSA loans.

  • March 10 Deadline for USDA-NRCS Cover Crop Initiative Applications in CA

    The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is encouraging producers to sign up for a special cover crop initiative offered through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Interested producers can apply and final selections will be made by March 10, 2022.

    NRCS previously announced that it is providing $6.8 million in fiscal year 2022 for the utilization of Cover Crops on agricultural land throughout California as part of a targeted effort to improve soil health through EQIP. Cover crops can provide a multitude of benefits including reduction of soil erosion, increasing soil organic matter, managing soil moisture, suppressing weeds, and increasing biodiversity. Through this voluntary conservation program, NRCS can support the goals of agricultural producers throughout the state and increase the critical benefits that cover crops provide. More information on EQIP and the initiative can be found here.

    This initiative will accelerate such outcomes by incentivizing the implementation of conservation practice standard 340 Cover Crop through a rapid and streamlined contracting process. Applicants must have farm records established with their local Farm Service Agency and meet all eligibility criteria to be considered for selection.

    NRCS is a federal agency that works in partnership with resource conservation districts and other conservation partners. With the mission of “Helping People Help the Land,” NRCS provides products and services that enable people to be good stewards of the nation’s soil, water, and related natural resources on non-federal lands. More information on NRCS’ products and services can be found on the NRCS California web site at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.

  • USDA Announces Inaugural Federal Advisory Committee on Urban Ag

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack selected 12 members to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) inaugural Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture to provide input on policy development and to help identify barriers to urban agriculture as USDA works to promote urban farming and the economic opportunities it provides in cities across the country.

    The new Secretary’s Advisory Committee is part of USDA’s efforts to support urban agriculture, creating a network for feedback. Urban agriculture plays an important role in producing fresh, healthy food in areas where grocery stores are scarce, and also provides jobs and beautifies neighborhoods.  

    “Urban agriculture has been growing in impact and importance, and we are taking bold actions to build a support structure,” said Vilsack.

    “I look forward to learning how we can better serve urban agricultural producers, which will complement our efforts focusing on equity, local food systems, access to safe and nutritional food and new ways to address climate change,” said Blong Xiong California State Executive Director.   

    Secretary’s Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture

    The Committee is made up of agricultural producers, and representatives from the areas of higher education or extension programs, non-profits, business and economic development, supply chains and financing.  
     
    Members include:

    • Jerry Ann Hebron, Mich., Urban Producer
    • Bobby Wilson, Ga., Urban Producer
    • Viraj Puri, N.Y., Innovative Producer
    • Kaben Smallwood, Okla., Innovative Producer
    • Sally Brown, Wash., Higher Education
    • John Erwin, Md., Higher Education
    • Carl Wallace, Ohio, Non-Profit Representative
    • John Lebeaux, Mass., Business and Economic Development Representative
    • Zachari Curtis, D.C., Supply Chain Experience
    • Allison Paap, Calif., Financing Entity Representative
    • Tara Chadwick, Fla., Related Experience
    • Angela Mason, Ill., Related Experience

    USDA and the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production peer reviewed more than 300 nominees, and Vilsack made the final selections. Selections ensured geographic, racial and gender diversity and a broad range of agricultural experience. The new members will serve terms of one to three years.

    The first meeting of this inaugural committee, which will be open to the public, will take place in late February. More details will be available in the Federal Register and at farmers.gov/urban and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture website.

    USDA and Urban Agriculture

    The advisory committee and county committees are part of a broad USDA investment in urban agriculture. Other efforts include:

    • Grants that target areas of food access, education, business and start-up costs for new farmers, and development of policies related to zoning and other needs of urban production.
    • Cooperative agreements that develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans.
    • Investing $260,000 for risk management training and crop insurance education for historically underserved and urban producers through partnerships between USDA’s Risk Management Agency(RMA) and the University of Maryland, University of Connecticut, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.
    • Providing technical and financial assistance through conservation programs offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS).
    • Organizing 11 Farm Service Agency (FSA) urban and suburban county committees. FSA will organize additional committees.

    The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production was established through the 2018 Farm Bill. It is led by NRCS and works in partnership with numerous USDA agencies that support urban agriculture. Its mission is to encourage and promote urban, indoor, and other emerging agricultural practices, including community composting and food waste reduction. More information is available at farmers.gov/urban and the new Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture website.

    Additional resources that may be of interest to urban agriculture entities include grants from USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture  as well as FSA loans.

  • $225 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation on Ag and Forest Land

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced up to $225 million in available funding for conservation partners through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). RCPP is a partner-driven program that leverages collective resources to find solutions to address natural resource challenges on agricultural land. This year’s funding announcements include opportunities for projects that address climate change, benefit historically underserved producers and support urban agriculture.

    “RCPP is public-private partnership at its best,” said Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Conservationist Carlos Suarez. “We’re harnessing the power of partnership to create lasting solutions to global challenges, like climate change, and support producers and communities who have been underserved in the past.”

    There are two types of funding opportunities under RCPP:  RCPP Classic and RCPP Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA). RCPP Classic projects are implemented using NRCS contracts and easements with producers, landowners and communities, in collaboration with project partners. Through RCPP AFA, partners have more flexibility in working directly with agricultural producers to support the development of new conservation structures and approaches that would not otherwise be available under RCPP Classic. Project types that may be suited to AFA, as highlighted by the 2018 Farm Bill include:

    • Projects that use innovative approaches to leverage the federal investment in conservation;
    • Projects that deploy a pay-for-performance conservation approach;
    • Projects that seek large-scale infrastructure investment that generate conservation benefits for agricultural producers and nonindustrial private forest owners.

    USDA is accepting project proposals for both components of RCPP through 11:59 p.m. on April 13, 2022. View the funding opportunity on grants.gov for RCPP Classic and RCPP AFA. Additionally, a webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants is scheduled for 3-4:30 p.m. ET on Jan. 20, 2022. Visit the RCPP website for information on how to participate.

    Funding is open to agriculture and silviculture associations, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, conservation districts and universities, among others. Partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal to or greater than the NRCS investment. Private landowners can apply to participate in an RCPP project in their region through awarded partners or at their local USDA service center.

    More Information

    First authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill, RCPP has leveraged partner contributions of more than $1 for every $1 invested by USDA, resulting in nearly $3 billion collectively invested in natural resource conservation on private lands. Since inception, RCPP has made 579 awards involving over 3,000 partner organizations. Currently there are 408 active projects, with at least one active project in every state and area. Successful RCPP projects provide innovative conservation solutions, leverage partner contributions and offer impactful and measurable outcomes.

    This RCPP announcement builds on other efforts by the Biden-Harris Administration to address climate change. Earlier this week, NRCS announced a new Cover Crop Initiative, available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to help agricultural producers mitigate climate change through the widespread adoption of cover crops. NRCS also announced the signup for EQIP Conservation Incentive Contracts and an improvement to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).