Cathee Pullman, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist in Minnesota, announces that farmers interested in Easement Funding need to apply for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) by October 1, 2016. Click on the “Easement” link above if you are interested in learning more about “easements” to protect water and agricultural land from non-ag uses. […]

Agricultural producers looking to solve natural resource problems on their farms will want to plan ahead and sign-up early for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding.  Farmers interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) need to apply by August 19, 2016, for funding in 2017. EQIP is a voluntary program that provides […]

Indianapolis, IN, May 12, 2016 – Jane Hardisty, State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that NRCS is accepting applications until June 13 to be considered for second round funding to improve water quality in targeted watersheds throughout Indiana. Additional dollars are available for the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds […]

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has $250,000 to help landowners develop monarch butterfly habitat in Missouri. Funds will target efforts of farmers willing to establish monarch-friendly plantings in strategically positioned areas.  Missouri landowners have until May 20 to apply for Monarch Butterfly Habitat Development Project funds. Farmers should visit local NRCS offices to […]

Walk onto the Michael Fields Agriculture Institute’s recent land purchase, you will see 200-plus acres of farmland that is vital to the surrounding ecosystem. Land, and how it is cared for, is integral to overall environmental health. The Institute and its partners will be contributing to the protection of Wisconsin’s natural resources by tending the […]

NRCS Offering Grants to Help Promote Natural Resources Conservation Activities The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering grants for promoting public awareness and implementation of Farm Bill conservation activities. State Conservationist J.R. Flores said $200,000 is available in Missouri this year for partners who can help make farmers, ranchers and specialty crop growers […]

USDA Taking Applications New Western Lake Erie Basin Initiative   The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service announced a new 3-year initiative this week to provide accelerated conservation assistance for agricultural producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin (WLEB) which includes land in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) […]

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that NRCS is accepting applications until April 29 for funding to improve water quality in watersheds affecting the Western Lake Erie Basin.  This is part of a $41 million investment in a three-year initiative to support the work of farmers in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio to improve water quality in the Western Lake […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on November 12th a new conservation effort to help agricultural producers provide food and habitat for monarch butterflies in the Midwest and southern Great Plains. This targeted 10-state effort by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest $4 million in 2016 to help combat the iconic species’ decline. Assistance is […]

USDA Commits $20 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making up to $20 million available nationwide for Conservation Innovation Grants. The grants are intended to lead to the development and adoption of cutting-edge conservation technologies and approaches for farmers, forest owners and other landowners. Applications for national CIG projects are […]

NRCS Announces Sign-Up Deadline for Water Quality Initiative in Missouri The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that landowners have until April 15 to request assistance through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) to improve water quality in three Missouri watersheds. State Conservationist J.R. Flores said that NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance […]

USDA Invests in High-Priority Watersheds to Improve Water Quality USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced an investment of $25 million targeted to help agricultural producers improve water quality in high-priority streams and rivers across the country. Through the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI), NRCS will help agricultural producers in 187 priority watersheds apply conservation measures […]

From the Michigan Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) website.  Note that while funding is available state-wide, funds are being set-aside for these specific counties. Wayne County High Tunnel Initiative Agricultural producers in Wayne County may apply for financial assistance to purchase a seasonal high tunnel for vegetable and fruit production. High tunnels are metal framed […]

East Troy, WI – On Friday, August 14, 2015, the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Service of WI, UW-Extension, and Organic Valley hosted the 2015 WI Cover Crops Conference.

Two years ago, in 2013, Michael Fields Agricultural Insititue was the recipient of a very substantial gift of land from Betty Refior Phelps of Whitewater, Wisconsin. It was a very gracious gesture from a great lady who believed in the work of Michael Fields and had participated, over the years, in several of MFAI’s Whole […]

Conservation funding targets selected counties and watersheds affecting the Great Lakes. Apply before July 24.

The 2015 conference will be held on Friday, August 14th 2015 at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute, East Troy. The theme of this year’s conference is “Cover Crops and Agricultural Resiliency” features a mix of general sessions and bus tours highlighting successful cover crop practitioners in southeast Wisconsin in a variety of cropping systems. Click […]

EAST LANSING, May 7, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is calling on Michigan farmers and private forest owners to sign up for conservation planning assistance by June 12. Conservation planning identifies resource concerns on farm and forest land and helps landowners obtain USDA financial assistance to address them. “Conservation planning is the first […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications to re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) through March 31, 2015.

If you care about sustainable agriculture and conservation, please take the time to provide input during the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s public comment period on the Conservation Stewardship Program.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will begin accepting applications to re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) on July 11, 2014. This renewal option is specifically for farmers and ranchers who enrolled in CSP initially in 2010.

CSP is a comprehensive working lands conservation program that provides technical and financial assistance to farmers and ranchers to actively manage and maintain existing conservation systems and to implement additional conservation activities on land in production. Through CSP, participants take steps to improve soil, water, air, and habitat quality, and can also address water quantity and energy conservation issues.

The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced a special funding opportunity to help landowners plant cover crops for erosion control, soil improvement or other conservation needs.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service has announced the start of signups for the new Farm Bill easement programs. The new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program combines NRCS’ former Farm and Ranch Lands Protection, Grassland Reserve and Wetlands Reserve programs. As the news release below notes, the deadline for applying is June 6.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced another sign-up period for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Producers interested in taking the next step to implement conservation practices on their lands need to submit their applications before the January 17th deadline to get funding in 2014.

Earlier this year, farmer Calvin Sebranek of Fancy Creek Farms, Richland Center enrolled the 800,000th acre in the USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) for the State of Wisconsin. He will be receiving awards from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), highlighting his exemplary stewardship practices and years of commitment to implementing conservation in his operations.