Conservation Clips is a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what's driving conservation. These articles are not indicative of NACD policy and are the opinions of their authors, unless otherwise noted. If you have a relevant submission or need assistance with accessing articles, please contact NACD Communications Manager Sara Kangas.

NACD Blog: Henderson County SWCD Restores 1,000 Feet of Stream in North Carolina
02/21/19

In 2013, the Henderson Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) partnered with multiple organizations to address concerns over an eroding streambank at Rugby Middle School in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

WNAX: New NACD President Excited About Farm Bill Conservation Programs
02/18/19

South Central Iowa farmer Tim Palmer is the new President of the National Association of Conservation Districts. He’s excited about all the conservation programs and opportunities for farmers in the new farm bill. He says the best way to make conservation programs work is by starting at the local level and then working up, rather than having the government dictate programs top down.

Sandusky Register: Conservation practiced even by our ‘founding farmers’
By Tim White
02/16/19

In 2015, the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) created the Soil Health Champions Network to promote soil health education to farmers across the entire country. One such individual here in Ohio is Wood County farmer, Ron Snyder. The Snyders are also piloting an effort on their farm to promote the use of soil health field testing equipment that can be used for data collection and further education.

Agri-Pulse: Trump backs spending deal to avert shutdown
By Philip Brasher
02/14/19

Congress easily cleared a fiscal 2019 spending agreement Thursday to avert another government shutdown and fund USDA, Interior, FDA and other departments and agencies important to agriculture through Sept. 30.

San Francisco Chronicle: Report: Fewer trees died off in California in 2018
02/11/19

Federal forestry officials say the die-off of trees in California forests slowed in 2018 thanks in part to the state receiving more rain.

Iowa State Daily: Iowa State collaboration to improve local watersheds and conservation efforts
By Megan Behrends
02/20/19

Iowa State researchers have been teaming up with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to work toward cleaner watersheds across the state of Iowa.

Civil Eats: Turning Salt-Damaged Fields into Marshes Could Save Maryland Farmland—and The Chesapeake Bay
By Virginia Gewin
02/20/19

Letting marshes migrate onto salt-impacted farms provides a trap for nutrients, slowing their spill into waterways, and providing a barrier able to protect farm fields from saltwater intrusion.

NPR: Massive Loss Of Thousands Of Hives Afflicts Orchard Growers And Beekeepers
By Anna King
02/18/19

Experts say honey bees are dealing with many stressors: chemicals, loss of wildflowers, climate change, nutrition and viruses. But this year, a special problem might have taken down the honey bees more than usual.

Des Moines Register: Goodbye, city life: Iowa's first 'agrihood' promises country living on edge of Des Moines
By Donnelle Eller
02/14/19

Bruere and his partners want to build what amounts to a small town on about 400 acres near Cumming, with an organic vegetable farm, vineyard, orchard and residential gardens anchoring the massive home, condo, apartment and retail development. If the Cumming City Council green-lights the roughly $260 million project next month, the Middlebrook development could be Iowa's first "agrihood," a planned community anchored by a working farm or community gardens.

Capital Press: Dryland wheat farmers grow to love no-till method
By Dave Leder
02/14/19

The transition to no-till farming methods has reduced the family’s cost per acre to between $80 and $100 — numbers that are unheard of in other parts of the state.

Fox News: Polar vortex may have killed significant levels of invasive species of insects
By Travis Fedschun
02/17/19

A Virginia Tech research experiment estimated that the polar vortex may have killed as much as 95 percent of stink bugs that hadn't found shelter this winter. Other invasive species in the Northeast, such as the emerald ash borer and southern pine beetle, also are not likely to survive the winter cold.

Newton Daily News: USDA provided Iowa farmers $9.2M for livestock grazing conservation practices
02/15/19

Iowa farmers contracted a record $9.2 million in 2018 for conservation practices that help reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and better forage conditions on grass-based grazing operations.

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