NRCS Extends Application Period for Conservation Innovation Grants to March 20th NRCS announced the application period for 2009 Conservation Innovation Grants funding has been extended to March 20th. The previous deadline was March 2nd. Conservation Innovation Grants help achieve and promote innovation in critical areas such as water quality, energy, climate change and pollinator habitat. Grants will be awarded through a nationwide competitive process. Up to $20 million is available for this national competition.

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USDA Seeks Comments on Farm Bill Programs You can help shape 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs. USDA wants to hear your comments on NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Healthy Forests Reserve Program, Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program, Grassland Reserve Program, as well as the Technical Service Provider Process. How can you be heard? Click on the program's name to find out.

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USDA Announces New Conservation Program and Initiative, Availability of Funding Two new entries join USDA's array of conservation programs. The Agricultural Water Enhancement Program offers $58.4 million in financial assistance for promoting ground and surface water conservation and water quality improvement. The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Initiative, offering $23 million in 2009, strengthens coordination and cooperation between NRCS and EPA to help agricultural producers improve the environment in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Both are part of NRCS' Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

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Vilsack Establishes The People's Garden Project on Bicentennial of Lincoln's Birth Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack “broke pavement” on the inaugural USDA The People’s Garden during a ceremony on the grounds of U.S. Department of Agriculture commemorating the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. The Secretary declared the stretch of pavement permanently closed and returned back to green, and encouraged other Administration officials and the general public to join in to protect the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The dedication comes on the 200th anniversary of the birth of the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln founded the Department of Agriculture in 1862 and referred to it as “The People’s Department” in his last annual message to Congress. Abraham Lincoln and Agriculture - Discover the original documents that provide the foundation of USDA    A Farmer Remembers Lincoln - A poem by Harold Witter Bynner

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Updated 03/02/2009