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: USDA Releases 2017 Ag Census Data
By Eric Hansen
04/11/19

The new 2017 Ag Census was released today, and it highlights some conservation-related trends in agriculture.

NACD Blog: The Historical Impact of Rangeland Management
By Lacey Fiedler
04/11/19

Range management practices have existed for centuries to help sustain proper habitats for plants and wildlife. Conservation districts have worked throughout the decades to improve range management in their communities, especially by assisting with controlling wild horse and burro populations on public lands.

E&E News: USDA survey shows conservation milestone on farms
By Marc Heller
04/11/19

(Subscriber Only) Heavy tillage of farmland continues to fall out of practice as farmers accept a gentler approach to managing the soil, the latest nationwide agriculture survey shows. The 2017 Census of Agriculture — the latest in a tally conducted every five years — shows that farmland under no-till practices surpassed acreage that's intensively tilled, a milestone for conservation.

Agri-Pulse: Farm bill hopes to tackle unwelcome guests: Feral swine
By Ben Nuelle
04/10/19

The 2018 farm bill provided $75 million to USDA's Animal Plant Health and Inspection Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service to fund a pilot program to control feral swine - the first time the farm bill has funded such a program.

Agri-Pulse: Bernhardt wins confirmation as Interior secretary
By Philip Brasher and Steve Davies
04/11/19

David Bernhardt, who has served in a variety of senior positions at the Interior Department, was confirmed as secretary by the Senate on Thursday by a 56-41 vote, a victory for cattle producers, energy companies and other interests who see him as an ally on public land management and endangered species regulation.

San Francisco Chronicle: California adopts new wetland protections as Trump administration eases them
By Kurtis Alexander
04/02/19

California water regulators adopted a far-reaching plan Tuesday to prevent more of the state’s creeks, ponds and wetlands from being plowed or paved over.

KMUW: As Weeds Outsmart The Latest Weedkillers, Farmers Are Running Out Of Easy Options
By Daniel Charles
04/11/19

Culpepper tells farmers that they still can control this superweed, but they need to use a bunch of different tools. That means deploying multiple chemicals, alternating the crops that they plant, and planting extra "cover crops" in the off season to cover the soil and make it harder for weeds to emerge.

Agri-Pulse: Opinion: Now’s your chance
By Bruce I. Knight
04/04/19

(Opinion) If you’d like to see changes in conservation practice standards, now’s your chance. Until April 25, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting comments as part of its review of conservation practice standards mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill and designed to improve the standards and increase flexibility.

ABC News: US Congress approves Colorado River drought plan
04/08/19

A plan to address a shrinking supply of water on a river that serves 40 million people in the U.S. West is headed to President Donald Trump. The U.S. House and Senate approved the Colorado River drought contingency plan on Monday.

Agri-Pulse: New CSP signup period announced
By Ben Nuelle
04/05/19

Farmers have until May 10 to apply for funding under the Conservation Stewardship Program, the largest working lands conservation program in the country, the Natural Resources Conservation Service announced Friday.

GlobeNewswire: Smithfield Foods Donates $120,000 to North America’s Largest Environmental Education Program and International Competition
04/09/19

Smithfield Foods, Inc., is pleased to announce a combined $120,000 donation to support the 2019 National Conservation Foundation (NCF) Envirothon—North America’s largest environmental education program and international competition that brings together teams from across the U.S., Canada, and China to compete for recognition and scholarships.

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