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2008 NRCS Farm Bill Conservation Programs

The conservation provisions in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) will provide conservation opportunities for farmers and ranchers for years to come. The new provisions build on the conservation gains made by farmers and ranchers through the 1985, 1996 and 2002 Farm Bills. They simplify existing programs and create new programs to address high priority environmental goals.

USDA's Interim Final Rule Amends Composition, Responsibilities of State Technical Committees

Notice of 60-day Public Comment Period on Rule Published in Federal Register

NRCS Chief Arlen Lancaster announced the release of the interim final rule for State Technical Committees, which amended requirements regarding the composition and responsibilities of these advisory committees nationwide. The 2008 Farm Bill expands agricultural and forestry involvement in the committees, expands the committees’ authority to review local working groups’ efforts to address state program priorities, and requires the Secretary of Agriculture to standardize committee operations nationwide. The interim final rule is available for public comment. These comments must be submitted by Jan. 26, 2009.

South Dakota Adds Acres to USDA's Wetlands Reserve Program

South Dakota has enrolled 8,218 new acres in the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) during the last four years.  To date, more than two million acres have been enrolled in WRP, nationally, helping exceed the Federal government’s 3-year goal of increasing the number and size of America’s wetlands.