Massachusetts state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations and tribes may apply for federal farmland protection program

The Massachusetts state office of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications from state and local units of government, federally recognized Tribes, and non-governmental organizations for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). Applications must be received at the NRCS Massachusetts State Office by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013.

NRCS announces next cut-off date for conservation programs in Massachusetts

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced the next application cut-off date for three federal conservation programs. Massachusetts farmers and forest land owners can apply for these programs anytime throughout the year; but NRCS will review and rank all complete applications for the current round of funding on February 15, 2013.

Unlock the Secrets in the Soil: NRCS launches new soil health education and awareness effort

NRCS has launched a new national soil health awareness and education effort to educate our customers and the public about the positive impact healthy soils can have on productivity and conservation. The effort features farmers across the country who are increasingly interested in how improved soil health can benefit their operations. The soil health effort will include fact sheets, brochures, videos, web, radio and social media announcements, as well as local field days. And, stay tuned for more soil health resources, tips and grower profiles...including one from the Bay State!

Franklin County Soil Survey is complete!

Soil maps and data for all of Massachusetts are now on-line.

Christine Clarke, Massachusetts State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is pleased to announce that the Soil Survey of Franklin County, Massachusetts is now available on-line. The completion of Franklin County means that soil survey users can now access digital soils information for the entire Commonwealth through NRCS’ Web Soil Survey.

We'd like to reach you!

Outreach is part of NRCS' daily business. We work to ensure that programs and services are made accessible to all customers, while placing special emphasis on those who may be underserved. Historically, underserved audiences have included minorities, tribes, women, the disabled, new farmers, limited resource farmers and small-scale farmers. Underserved audiences can also include other groups of customers, such as new immigrant or refugee farmers or organic producers. We'd like to reach you too.