Arkansas NRCS News Releases (2006)

Arkansas Media Liaison:

Molly Voeller, (501) 301-3133

Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Environmental Quality Incentives Program Applications through Jan. 26, 2007

Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 18, 2006 – Farmers and landowners in Arkansas have until Jan. 26, 2007, to submit applications to receive cost-share assistance to implement conservation activities through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Applicants can sign up at their local USDA/NRCS field service center.

News Release (Dec. 18, 2006)

Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program through Jan. 26, 2007

Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 18, 2006 – The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced today the sign-ups for its Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program will close Jan. 26, 2007. Applicants may sign up for the program at local USDA/NRCS field service centers.

News Release (Dec. 18, 2006)

Natural Resources Conservation Service Accepting Applications for Wetlands Reserve Program through Jan. 26, 2007

Little Rock, Ark., Dec. 18, 2006 - Landowners in Arkansas with qualifying properties are encouraged to consider applying for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).  This is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their property.  Arkansas is currently ranked second in the nation in enrolled Wetlands Reserve Program acres, which equals approximately 200,000 active acres enrolled in the program since 1995.

News Release (Dec. 18, 2006)

Upper White-Village Watershed Tentatively Selected for 2007 Conservation Security Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 25, 2006-Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the Upper White-Village Watershed in northeast Arkansas is eligible to be selected for the 2007 Conservation Security Program (CSP) through the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The Upper White-Village Watershed includes portions of Craighead, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph, White and Woodruff counties.

News Release (Sept. 25, 2006)

Johanns Focuses USDA Programs to Aid Drought Regions

HAYES, South Dakota - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced during a visit to South Dakota Aug. 29 $780 million in assistance to help farmers and ranchers manage drought and weather related production challenges.

In Arkansas, an additional $110,000 has been allocated to the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Farm Service Agency for the Grassland Reserve Program. These funds will be focused on pending GRP applications for rental agreements in drought-affected areas. Nationwide, $11 million in unused GRP funds will go to 27 states. Information on eligibility and a list of the other states is posted online at http://www.usda.gov.

News Release (Aug. 30, 2006)

USDA to Hold Public Meetings on Programs and Services

The USDA field service centers in Cleburne, Faulkner, Van Buren, Conway and Perry counties are holding two meetings to inform landowners of USDA programs and services available to them.

News Release (Aug. 14, 2006)

"Noah" Units Create Fuel from Agricultural Waste

Poultry Litter Energy Conversion Project

Lewisville, Ark., Aug 10, 2006  -- Due to technological advances, agricultural biomass is a promising alternative to fossil fuels to produce energy. Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils are excited to announce that four “Noah” units will be tested throughout Arkansas, converting biomass and agricultural waste, such as chicken litter, to a medium BTU hydrocarbon fuel gas similar to natural gas. The main objective of the project is to demonstrate a practical, efficient, low cost, non-polluting, thermo-chemical conversion of biomass into high quality hydrocarbon fuel and mineral ash.

News Release (Aug. 10, 2006)

Agriculture Options Seminar in Spanish

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) sponsors a seminar for Hispanic landowners and farmers to discuss Farm Bill programs Sept. 7.

News Release (Aug. 8, 2006)

Seminario de Oportunidades en Agricultura en Español

en Español

NRCS to Accept Contract Modification Requests from 2004 and 2005 CSP Contract Participants

Little Rock, Ark., July 27, 2006—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will accept requests from Aug. 1 through Sept. 15 from 2004 and 2005 Conservation Security Program (CSP) participants who want to add conservation enhancements or newly acquired land to their original contracts.

News Release (Juuly 27, 2006)

USDA Awards Nearly $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants

Two Arkansas Projects Receive Funding

SAVANNAH, Ga., June 19, 2006-Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey today awarded nearly $20 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to 38 states to fund 66 projects designed to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches that can help producers maintain viable agricultural operations.

News Release (June 19, 2006)

Johanns Announces FY 2006 Conservation Security Program Contracts

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2006- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the funding of 4,404 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contracts across the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam.

News Release (June 6, 2006)

Trice Named Rural Advocate of the Year by Arkansas Rural Development Commission

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 5, 2006 -- Kalven L. Trice, Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Service state conservationist, was named the 2005-2006 Rural Advocate of the Year by the Arkansas Rural Development Commission May 26.

News Release (June 5, 2006)

Johanns Extends Incentives to Complete EQIP Practices Delayed by High Energy Costs

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2006 -- Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the deadline for completing environmental projects to qualify for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) energy cost assistance will be extended to Dec. 29, 2006.

News Release (June 2, 2006)

USDA Announces New Program to Improve Forest Ecosystems

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., May  19, 2006 -- The Natural Resources Conservation Service is holding a landowners meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 12, at the Felsenthal NWR Auditorium in Crossett to discuss the Healthy Forests Reserve Program designed to help landowners enhance habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker.

News Release (May 19, 2006)

NRCS Hosts Backyard Conservation WaterFest at Mabelvale Magnet Middle School

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April  17, 2006 -- Water is our greatest natural resource and educating the next generation on how to protect it is key. The Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, is hosting Backyard Conservation WaterFest at Mabelvale Magnet Middle School on Friday. Partners supporting WaterFest include the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, Pulaski Conservation District, USDA-NRCS National Water Management Center, Central Arkansas Water, Tyson Foods, and over 20 other organizations and companies. At WaterFest students will learn why protecting soil and water resources are important.

News Release (April 17, 2006)

USDA Provides more than $70 Million to Protect Farm and Ranch Lands

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2006--Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the availability of more than $70 million to protect agricultural land in 50 states and Puerto Rico through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) in fiscal year 2006.

News Release (April 10, 2006)

USDA Provides up to $1.7 Million for Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improvements

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2006—U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight today announced that up to $1.7 million will be available through competitive grants to develop and evaluate technological tools for fish and wildlife habitat improvements.

News Release (March 23, 2006)

USDA's Conservation Security Program Ranks High Among Participating Farmers and Ranchers

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2006 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Bruce Knight today announced that producers in several Conservation Security Program (CSP) pilot watersheds ranked NRCS employees very high for professionalism and courteous service in carrying out that program. Many respondents said they were satisfied with the services they received after enrollment in the program.

News Release (March 16, 2006)

Little Red River Irrigation Project to Provide Water for Agriculture, Wildlife

Little Rock, Ark. — A proposed irrigation project in White County east of Searcy will provide a long-term, reliable source of water for agriculture without depleting the alluvial aquifer.

News Release (March 8, 2006)

Johanns Announces Nitrogen Fertilizer Tool as Part of Energy Strategy

AMES, Iowa, Feb. 24, 2006 - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the release of USDA's Energy Estimator for Nitrogen, a web-based awareness tool that farmers and ranchers can use to identify potential nitrogen cost savings associated with major crops and commercial nitrogen fertilizer applications.

News Release (Feb. 24, 2006)

USDA Announces Additional $56.8 Million for Conservation Programs in 41 States

WASHINGTON — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Bruce Knight recently announced that $56.8 million in funding for conservation programs has been provided to 41 states for their high levels of participation and performance in implementation of four conservation programs in fiscal year 2005.

News Release (Feb. 2, 2006)

Johanns Announces Sign-up for 2006 CSP -- Feb. 13, 2006 - March 31, 2006

Little Rock, AR, Feb. 1, 2006 — USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service State Conservationist, Kalven Trice today announced the 2006 Conservation Security Program (CSP) sign-up will be held Feb. 13, 2006 to March 31, 2006.  The Arkansas watersheds are:

• Lower Arkansas Watershed – includes parts of Arkansas, Desha, Jefferson, Lincoln, Lonoke and Pulaski counties.

• Poteau Watershed – includes parts of Polk, Scott and Sebastian counties.

News Release (Feb. 1, 2006)

USDA Offers Energy Cost Offset for Completion of EQIP Practices

INDIANAPOLIS, January 19, 2006-Agriculture Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner today announced $40 million for one-time payment adjustments that will allow eligible Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) participants to complete conservation practices that have been delayed because of recent increases in energy prices.

News Release (Jan. 19, 2006)

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Last Modified: 02/08/2007