Indianapolis, IN, February 12, 2020 – State Conservationist Jerry Raynor announced today that Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making available $8 million to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across Indiana. The funding is provided through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), created to protect critical water resources and wildlife habitat, and encourage private owners to maintain land f

St Joseph County, IN, October 2, 2019 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make up to $50 million available to help create or expand state government and tribal programs that encourage landowners and land managers to allow public access to their land for hunting, fishing and other wildlife-dependent recreation. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through November 27 from state governments and tribes for the Voluntary Public

Fall is here even if it doesn’t feel like autumn weather. I like warm weather and am always sad to have to see it go. Several people have commented to me about dry conditions. For me, after almost a year with no completely dry periods, it has been nice for a change, especially to not have to get the baler out after mowing the lawn. But the dryness is a concern and has caused a lot of stress on plants. After continuous wet conditions all spring and into summer, plants got

The Old Farmer's Almanac has released their forecast for this winter. “Mild, with soakers” is how Indiana is labeled. I don’t put a lot of weight on these forecasts, but they often line up with other forecasts and occasionally are completely correct. If this forecast holds true, I think we all need to prepare for a winter similar to last year. This past winter, I kept hoping for some free concrete—frozen ground. I only had about a dozen days and that's not enough. To add tru

This week goes to the birds and the bees – and to all of the other pollinators that keep our world growing and productive. June 16-22 is National Pollinator Week, and its intent is to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators to plants, animals, and humans. Pollinators are responsible for pollinating more than 80 percent of the world’s flowers. Without the hard work of pollinators, our plates would become scrawny and charming landscapes would become an eye sore. That

At USDA, we celebrate Earth Day 2019 by offering big thank-yous to Indiana farmers and forest landowners for all they do. Every day we see their efforts to conserve natural resources while producing food, fiber and fuel for people in their communities and around the world. They are doing what needs to be done to make sure we all enjoy the benefits of clean and plentiful water and healthy soils, ecosystems and wildlife habitat. This year’s Earth Day theme, “Protect Our Species

WASHINGTON – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today it is seeking public input on its existing national conservation practice standards as part of implementing the 2018 Farm Bill. NRCS offers 150-plus conservation practices to America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to help them meet their business and natural resource needs on their working lands. “With the help of NRCS, agricultural producers across the country are taking voluntary st

Indianapolis, IN, March 6, 2019 – State Conservationist Jerry Raynor announced today that Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making funding available to help landowners protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands across Indiana. The funding is provided through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), created to protect critical water resources and wildlife habitat, and encourage private owners to maintain land for farm

I have seen a lot of pugged pastures the last few weeks. Pugged meaning soil trampled into consolidated mud by hooves. There are a few parts of the state that have remained frozen long enough to retard excess damage to pastures. The rest of the state has remained wet enough that any pastures or overwintering areas that have been used have occurred damage to the sod. I mentioned last month that I was asked about temporary or summer cover for overwintering areas. I have also

DEKALB, IL. – Today, American Farmland Trust (AFT), the organization behind the national movement “No Farms No Food,” published its Women for the Land program report, “Testing the Women Landowner Conservation Learning Circle Model.” The report, along with illustrative profiles and videos, further supports previous research that women landowners are important in the broader implementation of conservation practices on farms. The interviews also show women-only learning circles

It is 45 degrees outside today as I write this article. I normally appreciate mild winter weather, but when it rains, and temperatures remain above freezing, except for a frivolous teasing of heavy frosts, a pasture can get pretty ugly. I for one wouldn’t mind a little free concrete right now, you know, frozen ground. For many of us, 2018 was an extremely wet year. Some parts of Indiana, including where I live ended up with over 60 inches of rain. That makes me think of

Indianapolis, IN, December 11, 2018 – With a December 21 sign up deadline approaching, Pheasants and Quail Forever and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are encouraging farmers to consider utilizing a federal program that provides funding to establish habitat for Monarch butterflies and other wildlife. Jake Swafford, Coordinating Wildlife Biologist with Pheasants Forever, said the Monarch Butterfly Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) administered by USDA

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Matthew J. “Matt” Lohr to serve as Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In his role, Lohr will provide leadership for NRCS and its mission to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in their voluntary conservation efforts through a network of over 3,000 offices in communities nationwide.

Often ignored and seldom appreciated, the wonderful world of soil is not usually a topic of discussion or one that is cared about. But we want you to change that. Trust us on this, soil is critical to life. And no one understands that more than USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. With an increasing global population, a shrinking agricultural land base and extreme weather events, Indiana NRCS is focusing their collective attention to the primary resource essenti

I mentioned last month that there are still plenty of good growing days left this fall and they need to be taken advantage of. One of the first things to do to make sure you obtain as much plant growth as possible, especially with perennial forages, is to stop grazing forages that will continue to grow for a while, especially forages that will stockpile like tall fescue. Now, I don’t think anyone would’ve predicted it would be almost 70 degrees the day before Halloween. I

#USDA #NRCS #CSP #Conservation

Indianapolis, IN, October 4, 2018–Jerry Raynor, State Conservationist for Indiana’s USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today that NRCS is accepting producer applications for Conservation Activity Plans. The application deadline is November 16, 2018. “These conservation projects are vital for conserving and protecting our natural resources here in Indiana,” said Raynor. “They address critical resource concerns that will impact the health of Indiana’

The older I get, the more I tend to philosophize about things. I’ve been asked a few times why I am such an advocate for sound grazing practices. Best management grazing practices, just like conservation practices for reducing or preventing soil erosion on cropland, help preserve and or regenerate resources not only for present generation, but also for future generations. Keeping a field in forages will save more soil and conserve more water than almost all other erosion c

I certainly didn’t expect the blessed amount of rain that has fallen on most of Indiana in the last month. as made making dry hay a challenge. I am still happy to have the moisture. My pasture was getting fairly dry before the rains started; dry enough that growth was slowing down. I had already slowed down the speed of the livestock to allow a little extra rest and now I have picked up momentum again. I’m delighted to see good regrowth of forage in paddocks not far behin

6/13/2018 9:15 am We’ve got some exciting news! I was out in the prairie below the house this morning and spooked up two majestic Sandhill Cranes which is always a thrill but what came next was even better. I continued up the trail towards the house and came across a pretty good-sized tan colored chick. The first thing that flashed in my mind was “How did one of Charlotte’s chicks get way out here” but then I saw the legs and made the connection. It was a Sandhill Crane chick