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 the NACD Communications Team.

NACD Blog: Soil Health Tour Attracts almost 100 Farmers in Glenn County RCD
By Melina Watts
06/12/19

When 95 people stand around under grey skies and looming storm clouds to look at plant varietals while picking apart shovels of saturated soil, exploring root types and soil pore structure, you know there’s a compelling idea at play – cover crops. From increasing soil porosity, improving soil organic matter, and sequestering carbon to reducing erosion and maintaining and increasing precious topsoil, cover crops’ ability to renew soil health is remarkable.

News Dakota: NACD Encourages Producers to Implement Conservation Practices Amid Extreme Weather
06/12/19

The National Association of Conservation Districts is urging farmers to explore transitioning to conservation practices, including no-till and cover crops, to prevent further soil erosion in the face of extreme weather.

Feedstuffs: Cover crop changes sought for averting forage shortage
By Jacqui Fatka
06/11/19

The FEEDD Act will provide farmers and ranchers additional emergency flexibility to help alleviate feed shortages during planting seasons with high levels of prevent plant due to extreme moisture or drought.

NPR: Trump Administration Seeking To Overhaul Forest Management Rules
By Kirk Siegler
06/12/19

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act that could limit environmental review and public input on projects ranging from forest health and wildfire mitigation to infrastructure upgrades to commercial logging on federal land.

Agri-Pulse: USDA guidance raises new questions about prevented planting
By Philip Brasher
06/12/19

USDA’s latest guidance confirmed that unplanted acres will be ineligible for MFP payments, which are designed as compensation for trade disruptions, but the department said acreage seeded to harvestable cover crops may be eligible for a “minimal” MFP check.

High Plains Journal: Wildlife affected by flooding in Oklahoma
By Trisha Gedon
06/12/19

Flooding across Oklahoma has been devastating for state residents. Flood waters have taken their toll on homes and businesses, but the wildlife population also has been affected.

Agri-Pulse: Heavy demand for cover crop seed could create shortages
By Fran Howard
06/12/19

Farmers, who were unable to get into their soggy fields to plant corn and soybeans due to record rainfall this spring, are not only faced with bags of seed they can't use, they are also looking for warm season cover crop seeds which may be difficult to find.

KSDL TV: BYU Researchers Looking At Impact Of Burn Scar Runoff Into Utah Lake
By Sam Penrod
06/12/19

Researchers at BYU are watching the spring runoff that is flowing into Utah Lake carefully, to see what impact last summer’s wildfires is having on the lake. Utah Lake is downstream from several watersheds that were impacted by the fires, and the researchers believe this spring’s runoff might actually help to prevent algae blooms that have plagued the lake over the past couple of years.

Hoosier Ag Today: Farm Conservation on the Rise in Indiana
06/11/19

According to a recent survey, Indiana farmers planted more than 1 million acres of cover crops in 2018, up 32,000 acres from the previous year.

National Geographic: Massive 8,000-mile 'dead zone' could be one of the gulf's largest
By Sarah Gibbens
06/10/19

Just off the coast of Louisiana and Texas where the Mississippi River empties, the ocean is dying. The cyclical event known as the dead zone occurs every year, but scientists predict that this year's could be one of the largest in recorded history.

Capital Press: NRCS seeks projects targeting erosion from ephemeral gullies
06/08/19

Topsoil loss from ephemeral gullies on highly erodible land is the focus of a new USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service pilot project.

Alligator: UF researchers find stormwater ponds may harbor invasive species
By Sarah Pickett
06/08/19

A UF research group determined these stormwater ponds, which help manage water across the state, could harbor invasive species.

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