Schafer Announces Availability of $54.8 Million to Producers, Entities through New Conservation Program USDA announces up to $58.4 million in financial assistance is available to agricultural producers and entities through the Agricultural Water Enhancement Program, established in the new farm bill to promote ground and surface water conservation and water quality improvement. USDA seeks project proposals from potential AWEP partners. A Request for Proposals is published in the Federal Register. Proposals must be submitted by March 2, 2009.

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USDA Seeks Comments on Healthy Forests Reserve Program USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is seeking public comments on the Healthy Forests Reserve Program (HFRP). A proposed rule for the program was published in the January 14, 2009, Federal Register. The period for public comments will close on or before February 13, 2009. HFRP helps landowners restore and enhance forest ecosystems to promote the recovery of threatened and endangered species, improve biodiversity, reduce the risk of catastrophic fire, and enhance carbon sequestration.

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USDA's Interim Final Rule Amends Composition, Responsibilities of State Technical Committees 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. Comments from the public on the interim final rule are due by Jan. 26, 2009.

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Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion The purpose and passion for conservation is shared among many. It is shared between NRCS employees and partners who help people help the land. And it is shared by the landowners with whom we work. Our passion is manifested through the benefits derived from stewardship of private lands—benefits we all enjoy, such as cleaner water and air, improved soils and abundant wildlife habitat. Learn about our stories, the stories of conservation made possible through a shared purpose, a shared passion and a shared commitment to conservation.

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	Meet the Featured Customers! Eight featured customers, chosen to represent diversity of geography, culture, conservation practices and products, represent a cross-section of our landowner-partners nationwide as part of our Conservation... Our Purpose. Our Passion. campaign.
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Updated 01/15/2009