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

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

(June 10, 2019 - Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement on disaster and trade-related assistance: “Whether it’s because of natural disasters or unfair retaliatory tariffs, farmers across the country are facing significant challenges and tough decisions on their farms and ranches. Last month, immediately upon China reneging on commitments made during the trade talks, President Trump committed USDA to provide up to $16 bill

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

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

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

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.

#USDA #NRCS #CSP #Conservation

Thanks to a change in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, farmers in Indiana who apply for financial assistance programs through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will no longer need a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Number System (DUNS) number, or to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). “This change streamlines the process for both farmers and staff because it greatly simplifies the contracting and payment process for current and new pa

Indiana Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative (CCSI) are working with Purdue University’s Department of Forestry and Natural Resources to help identify causes and solutions to farmers who experience issues with voles in cover cropped fields. Purdue is seeking information from 50-75 fields per NRCS area that meet the following criteria: The field was planted to cover crops in the fall of 2015; The field was planted to so

Greenfield resident and former USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist Jane Hardisty is a recent recipient of one of Indiana’s top honors – the Sagamore of the Wabash. This prestigious award from Governor Eric J. Holcomb was presented at Hardisty’s retirement dinner on February 23 by Indiana State Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Melissa Rekeweg and Division of Soil Conservation Director Jordan Seger to recognize her outstanding leadership i

Fall Conservation Transect Report Released – Cover Crops Thrive in Tough Farm Economy One Million Acres of Living Cover Crops Reported Indianapolis, May 17, 2017 – According to the 2016 Fall Conservation Transect Report, Hoosier farmers planted over a million acres of cover crops for the second year in a row. Jane Hardisty, State Conservationist with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) says having over a million acres of planted cover crops makes Indiana the

It’s alive! Many people don’t realize that soil, especially healthy soil, is full of life. Millions of species and billions of organisms make up a complex and diverse mix of microscopic and macroscopic life that represents the greatest concentration of biomass anywhere on the planet. Bacteria, algae, microscopic insects, earthworms, beetles, ants, mites, and fungi are among them. All together, their value has been estimated at $1.5 trillion a year worldwide. Like other livin

Growing up, the question of the day often started with “why” or “how” because I loved discovering things. Though my specific interests morphed from archaeology to geology to biology, I knew I wanted to be a scientist since the 5th grade. In college, I chose to study biology, which exposed me to many different aspects of the field. College was the springboard that sharpened my focus and led me to becoming the ecosystem ecologist I am today. Recognizing National College Signing