Conservation Clips are a weekly collection of articles distributed by NACD that provides our members and partners with the latest news in what's driving conservation. If you have a relevant submission, please contact your NACD Communications Team.

WTOP: What the 2018 farm bill means for urban, suburban and rural America
By The Associated Press
01/16/18

(Opinion) Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the farm bill’s importance because they think it impacts only farmers. Over the next few months, debate and discussion about the farm bill will grow, and hopefully will lead to broader understanding of the bill’s importance.

KMA Land: Northey entitled to Senate vote
By Anna Hastert
01/13/18

It’s been seventy-five days since Texas Senator Ted Cruz placed a hold on an Iowan’s USDA Under Secretary nomination.

USDA: Sustaining the Forests of the Mississippi Headwaters
By Zoe Hoyle
01/12/18

The USDA Forest Service partnered with Camp Ripley, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Forest Resources Council, Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources, Forest Service Northeastern Area, several county soil and water districts, and The Nature Conservancy to develop solutions that would work for all landowners. As a result, the landscape is now part of the Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, dedicated to promoting natural resource sustainability in areas surrounding military installations.

News-Sentinel: New state program will help northeast Indiana landowners restore grasslands, which will aid songbirds, gamebirds and pollinator insects
By Kevin Kilbane
01/12/18

A new program could help landowners replant some of Indiana’s rapidly disappearing grasslands, providing important habitat for songbirds, gamebirds and pollinator insects such as honeybees and butterflies.

AgWeb: Disaster Bill Could Make Passing the Farm Bill “Easier”
By Anna-Lisa Laca
01/11/18

Round one of the farm bill battles could be settled as soon as this month if the Senate agrees on a fix for cotton and dairy in the $81 billion disaster aid bill already passed by the House. Not only would a cotton and dairy plan settle one of the most contentious negotiations of a new farm bill, it would also increase the baseline funding available for the new five-year bill.

Maui Now: Hawai‘i to Receive $770K for Watershed Protection
01/12/18

The State of Hawaiʻi will receive $770,000 from the US Department of Agriculture to protect and improve Hawaiʻi’s watersheds.

U.S. News and World Report: Minnesota Native American Tribe Seeks Farm Bill Funding
By The Associated Press
01/13/18

More than 30 tribes across the country have formed the Native Farm Bill Coalition. The farm bill could help tribes strengthen their agriculture economy by funding projects that add value to livestock or crops produced by Indian farmers and ranchers.

Spectrum News: Conservationists use urban beekeeping to tackle diminishing population
By Elaina O’Connell
01/16/18

“Bee Our Future” is an urban beekeeping program that aims to bring awareness to the conservation of bees. The program places beehives on commercial rooftops. Interested businesses pay a fee, and they do the rest.

Morning Ag Clips: Assistance available to improve water quality
01/17/18

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced funding for the National Water Quality Initiative to help farmers in select watersheds improve water quality through conservation measures on their agricultural operations. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service is investing more than $30 million this year in 201 high-priority watersheds across the country.

Des Moines Register: No more livestock confinements until Iowa water improves, group says
By Donnelle Eller
01/16/18

Iowa lawmakers should halt construction on animal confinements until Iowa's water quality is significantly improved, a coalition of about two dozen state, local and national groups said Tuesday.

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