NRCS
Easements Protect Agricultural Lands, Wetlands and Grasslands - Applications for
FY13 funds for three different easement programs due March 1.
January 11, 2013 —
The Natural Resources Conservation Service is
accepting applications year round for the Wetlands Reserve Program,
Grassland Reserve Program and Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program.
Applications requesting potential funding for FY13 must be submitted by
March 1.
Links...
News Release
(January 11, 2013)
Arizona
Snowpack Levels Above Average
January 10, 2013 —
The Arizona Basin Outlook Report released this week by USDA’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows the state snowpack to be above
average levels. The federal agency monitors snow conditions in Arizona’s
mountain watersheds each winter to estimate the amount of water available
for spring and summer uses.
Links...
News Release
(January 10, 2013)
NRCS
Helps Land Users Put Conservation on the Ground - Applications for NRCS’s EQIP
and WHIP 2013 financial assistance due – Jan. 18
October 7, 2012 —
The Arizona Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
helps farmers and ranchers with a broad spectrum of natural resource
enhancements. These include increasing irrigation efficiency, nutrient and
manure management on dairies, grazing land management, wildlife habitat, forest
management and many more.
Applicants interested in potential 2013
funding for NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife
Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) must have their applications submitted by
January 18, 2013 for the first cycle. If funds are still available, applicants
have a second opportunity to submit applications, with a deadline of April 19,
2013. There are two application cycles for 2013 financial assistance; however
applications are accepted throughout the entire year.
Links...
News Release (October 7, 2012)
Little
Horse Ranch - Surviving the Drought
September, 2012 —
Drought. It is the word that has haunted farmers and ranchers across the
country. This year, it has become a devastating reality for many. For
Arizona agricultural producers, drought is something they have dealt
with for over the past decade. Many learned to adapt and adjust their
operations to drought conditions. However, there is a point where there
isn’t much more a producer can do and the risk of losing their crops,
livestock, and businesses lingers near.
Links...
News Release (September, 2012)
NRCS Helps Residents in Shultz Fire
Area Receive Better Protection from Potential Flooding
August 22, 2012 —
The Schultz fire burned over 15,000
acres of the San Francisco Peaks in Coconino County in June 2010. After the
fire, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provided $868,000 in emergency assistance to help protect individual
homes from severe flooding through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP)
Program.
However, severe soil erosion and flooding has continued to bring threats to the
surrounding communities. Earlier this year, Coconino County requested additional
assistance from NRCS to help provide long term protection. The total
estimated cost for treatment of public forest service land and private land
is $8,590,000. NRCS is providing 75% of the funds, $6,442,000, and Coconino County is funding
the remaining 25%, $2,147,500.
Links...
News Release (August 22, 2012)
NRCS
Announcing Grants to Help Farmers, Ranchers Adapt to Drought
August 21, 2012 —
The U.S. Department
of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced
the availability of up to $5 million in grants to evaluate and
demonstrate agricultural practices that help farmers and ranchers adapt
to drought. NRCS is taking applications for Conservation Innovation
Grants (CIG) to help producers build resiliency into their production
systems so they can adapt to climatic extremes, such as the historic
drought impacting the nation.
NRCS is offering the grants to partnering entities to evaluate
innovative, field-based conservation technologies and approaches. These
technologies and/or approaches should lead to improvements such as
enhancing the water-holding capacity in soils and installing
drought-tolerant grazing systems, which will help farms and ranches
become more resilient to drought.
Links...
News Release (August 21, 2012)
Granite
Creek Vineyard: A Model of Conservation
August 20, 2012 —
More and more people are finding organic foods readily available down
the aisles of their local grocery store. Kit and Robin Hoult do their part in
contributing to the organic market. They have been ahead of the curve and
growing organically since 1974. Starting with an abandoned dairy farm, a lonely
cottonwood tree, and a passion for gardening, the farm is now beaming with
life. Their passion has continued to fuel the thriving 15 acre organic vineyard
and produce garden for nearly four decades.
Links...
News Release (August 20, 2012)
Managing
Soil Salinity in Agriculture
June 30, 2012 —
It is projected that the world’s
population will expand to over 8.5 billion by 2025. To keep up with this
growth agricultural production must increase by up to 50 percent. The
increase in agricultural production is expected to be met by these three
ways: 1) increase in average yields, 2) increase cropping intensity (double
or triple cropping fields), and 3) increase the amount of arable land. It is
estimated that the potential arable land in the world is over 8,000 million
acres of which 46 percent or 3,700 million acres are currently farmed.
Bringing into production new lands will be expensive due to either high cost
of irrigation development (most of the best land and water supplies are
already taken), lack of available water, cost of new irrigation projects
(world-wide some projects have had mixed performance results), and improper
irrigation that degrades the quality of existing irrigated cropland. The two
most common processes that degrade cropland are waterlogging and salinity.
To manage soil salinity there are a few things you need to know.
Links...
News Release
(June 30, 2012)
Controlling
Dust to Improve Air Quality
May 23, 2012 —
Dust consists of particles, in the
atmosphere, that come from various sources such as soil that is lifted by
wind (such as our Haboobs-an unfortunate reality of our arid environment),
volcanic eruptions, and pollution. Dust is comprised of various sized
particles from sand grains that can pit your car’s windshield to particles
that you cannot see. Particles that are not seen include the PM10 and PM2.5
sized particles.
PM10 is particulate matter that is ten
micrometers or less in diameter (a human hair is about 70 micrometers). These
are very small particles that can invade the natural defense mechanism of the
human respiratory tract, penetrating deep into the lungs where it can be lodged.
The Federal Clean Air Act requires that emissions from all significant sources
in areas not meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards be controlled
through effective programs.
Links...
News Release
(May 23, 2012)
NRCS
Announces Water Quality Conservation in San Pedro and Gila River Watersheds
May 8, 2012 —
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announces a new
Water Quality Initiative committed to improving impaired waterways in
Arizona. NRCS will manage the initiative by making financial assistance
available to farmers and ranchers in the selected watersheds throughout the
state.
Through this effort, eligible producers in the targeted areas of the San
Pedro and Gila River watersheds can receive technical and financial
assistance to implement conservation practices that help provide cleaner
water for their neighbors and communities.
Links...
News Release
(May 8, 2012)
NRCS
Announces Wildlife Conservation Efforts to Benefit the Southwestern Willow
Flycatcher
April 3, 2012 —
Landowners along Arizona’s riparian areas, will have an opportunity
to apply for a new conservation funding source through the Natural Resources
Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP),
announced recently by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Secretary of the
Interior Ken Salazar. The announcement of the Working Lands for Wildlife
partnership creates a $33 million partnership nationwide with farmers,
ranchers and forest landowners to use innovative approaches to restore and
protect the habitats for wildlife, including seven at-risk species and other
vulnerable game species.
One of the targeted at-risk species is the southwestern willow flycatcher, a
small bird that resides along riparian areas throughout Arizona. Flooding,
development and other practices have reduced native willows that the bird
relies on for its habitat and food supply.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2012)
Funding
Available for Organic and Transitioning Organic Producers
April 3, 2012 —
Certified organic producers and those
transitioning to organic production are encouraged to apply for conservation
funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications
must be submitted by
June 1
to be considered for 2012 funding through the NRCS organic initiative.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2012)
Honoring
Volunteers During National Volunteer Week
April 3, 2012 —
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is celebrating
National Volunteer Week April 15-21 by honoring Earth Team volunteers and
expressing appreciation for their dedicated service and commitment to
conservation. The Earth Team is NRCS’ volunteer workforce. Nationally, in
fiscal year 2011, 22,000 Earth Team volunteers donated 435,653 hours of
service totaling $9.3 million.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2012)
Improving
Plant Community
April 3, 2012 —
Improving plant community productivity,
structure and function is a resource concern which occurs across all of our
land uses in Arizona. When referring to plant communities, productivity
pertains to the weight of plant production as compared to what is expected
for a healthy site. Structure refers to whether or not all of the
representative plant types that would be expected on a healthy site are
present. Function refers to the ability of the vegetative groups to
carry out their healthy life cycles and contribute to the plant community as
a whole.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2012)
Reduce
Nutrients in Surface and Ground Water
April 3, 2012 —
Proper use of nutrients, organic or inorganic
types, is a conservation priority in Arizona. Managing nutrients properly
involves applying them in the correct amount, from the proper source, with
appropriate placement, and at the appropriate time. This is basically the 4
R’s of nutrient management—right rate, right source, right place, and right
time. Implementing the 4 R’s will help ensure fertilizer applications meet
the crop yield objectives and minimize the potential for nutrients to
degrade water supplies (surface and groundwater) and air quality. To apply
nutrients properly there a few things you need to know.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2012)
Arizona
Snowpack Levels Below Average
March 9, 2012 —
The Arizona Basin Outlook Report released this week by USDA’s Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows the state snowpack to be at well
below average levels. The federal agency monitors snow conditions in
Arizona’s mountain watersheds each winter to estimate the amount of water
available for spring and summer uses.
Links...
News Release
(March 9, 2012)
Reliable
Livestock Water
February 14, 2012 —
Providing livestock easy access to a reliable
source of clean, fresh water at all times is necessary in order for a
livestock operation to be productive. NRCS has several stock water system
practices that are designed to efficiently provide reliable water to livestock
and wildlife and successfully allow for the implementation of a grazing
management system. The benefits of supplying adequate watering facilities for
livestock can be: improved livestock distribution to take advantage of available
forage in remote areas, improved livestock health and production and providing
for an improvement in vegetation and soil conditions in uplands and streams,
rivers and ponds.
Links...
News Release
(February 14, 2012)
USDA
Extends Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up to January 27
January 17, 2012 —
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White today
announced that the cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship
Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012.
Producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree
to adopt higher levels of stewardship are eligible for CSP payments.
Links...
News Release
(January 17, 2012)
We
Care About Conservation: AZ and AZ’s Conservation Districts Partner in
Conservation Planning Campaign
January 17, 2012 —
The Arizona Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has
partnered with Arizona’s Conservation Districts in a conservation planning
campaign. Conservation planning is the fundamental starting point for
maintaining and improving the natural resources that support agricultural
production and the lifestyle we love and enjoy. Arizona NRCS and Arizona’s
Conservation Districts care about conservation and are here to help
agricultural producers conserve the resources and the lifestyle they love
for future generations.
Links...
News Release
(January 17, 2012)
USDA
Announces Funding for Water Quality Markets: $10 Million Available for Projects
Nationally: Due January 31, 2012
January 13, 2012 —
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
today announced a funding opportunity that will bring states, USDA and other
stakeholders together to enhance the effectiveness of water quality credit
trading. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is providing up to
$10 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for these projects, with
up to $5 million focused on water quality credit trading in the Chesapeake
Bay watershed. Pre-proposals for projects are due January 31, 2012.
Links...
News Release
(January 13, 2012)
Improving
Irrigation Water Use Efficiency
January 3, 2012 —
Wise use of irrigation water is one of our highest conservation priorities
in Arizona. Irrigation water management is used to apply the amount of water
needed, when it is needed by the crop. To improve irrigation efficiency on
your farm, there are four things you need to know.
Links...
News Release
(January 3, 2012)
First
2012 Snow Survey Report Shows Above Normal Snowpack, Precipitation
January 1, 2012 —
NRCS released its first snow survey report for 2012. As of January 1,
snowpack levels are generally well above normal throughout the state, with
the exception of the Chuska Mountains. Precipitation for December was also
well above normal in all major river basins. The Salt and Verde River
reservoir system stands at 71 percent of capacity, while San Carlos
Reservoir is at only two percent of capacity. The first forecast of the
season calls for well below normal runoff in the Salt, Verde and Little
Colorado River Basins, and below normal runoff in the San Francisco-Upper
Gila River Basin for the spring runoff period.
Links...
News Release
(January 1, 2012)
Assistance
Available to Arizona Farmers, Ranchers to Improve Air Quality
December 13, 2011 —
Agriculture producers seeking to reduce PM10 (dust) and other forms
of air pollution can apply for help from the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS). NRCS has funding in Arizona, along with technical expertise,
that is available to farmers and ranchers to improve air quality, through
the Air Quality Enhancement Program, an Environmental Quality Incentive
Program (EQIP) from the 2008 Farm Bill.
Links...
News Release
(December 13, 2011)
Funding
Available for Organic and Transitioning Organic Producers
October 28, 2011 —
Certified organic producers and those transitioning to organic production
are encouraged to apply for conservation funding from the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS). Applications must be submitted by June 1, 2012 to
be considered for 2012 funding through the NRCS organic initiative.
Links...
News Release
(October 28, 2011)
Arizona
On-Farm Energy Initiative: Funding Available for 2012
October 28, 2011 —
Arizona farmers, ranchers, dairies,
nursery growers, and other agricultural producers can apply for financial
help to get an energy audit for their operation. The Arizona On-Farm Energy
Initiative, part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), is
being offered for Fiscal Year 2012 funding. This initiative is open to
agricultural producers for the development of Agricultural Energy Management
Plans (AgEMP), Conservation Activity Plans (CAP) and for individual on-farm
energy audits.
Links...
News Release (October 28, 2011)
NOV.
1 Deadline For Farmers, Ranchers To Apply For Conservation Financial Help
EQIP & WHIP Application Deadline
October 28, 2011 —
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting
applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP), with an application deadline of
Nov. 1. NRCS will review applications from applicants who have completed a
conservation plan and that are received by this date and rank them for
fiscal year 2012 funding.
Links...
News Release (October 28, 2011)
NRCS
Arizona Welcomes New State Conservationist - Keisha Tatem
September 1, 2011 —
Keisha Brown Tatem, a native of Ivor, Virginia, began her professional
career with NRCS as a Soil Conservationist Student Trainee in 1995. She
spent over 10 years working directly with producers as a Soil
Conservationist and District Conservationist in Virginia and Florida.
Links...
News Release (September 1, 2011)
NRCS
Provides Financial Help to Cochise County for Horseshoe Two Fire Recovery
August 8, 2011 —
The potential for flooding and erosion is a serious
threat to those in the areas consumed by the Horseshoe Two fire. To help reduce
this flooding danger, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is
providing more than $164,000 of financial help through its Emergency Watershed
Protection Program (EWP).
Links...
News Release (August
8, 2011)
Wildfire Recovery Tips
![NRCS and Greenlee County assess damages, determining what sites need urgent protection.](images/CountyandSheila-at-EWPsite.gif)
Greenlee
County Receives Funds from NRCS for Wallow Fire Recovery
August 4, 2011 —
The community of Blue, Arizona is small, however the community support
and neighborly actions are undeniable. With their land burned from the Wallow
fire, the community strives to protect their homes and property from flooding,
the newest threat to the area. To help reduce flooding and erosion damages, the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $185,646 of financial
help to Greenlee County through its Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).
Links...
News Release (August
4, 2011)
Wildfire Recovery Tips
Apache
County Receives Additional Funds from NRCS for Wallow Fire Recovery
July 26, 2011 —
Severe flooding and erosion are serious threats to the communities
impacted by the Wallow fire. To help reduce flooding and erosion damages, the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $90,300 of additional
financial help to Apache County through its Emergency Watershed Protection
Program (EWP).
Links...
News Release (July 26, 2011)
Wildfire Recovery Tips
Cochise
County Receives $131,000 from NRCS for Monument Fire Recovery
July 20, 2011 —
Though the Monument fire reached full containment earlier this month, the
burned area is at severe risk for excessive erosion and flooding. To help
prevent possible damage from summer monsoon rain, the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing $131,000 of financial help through its
Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP).
Links...
News Release (July 20, 2011)
Wildfire Recovery Tips
Apache
County Receives $400,000 from NRCS for Wallow Fire Recovery
July 14, 2011 —
Where hundreds of thousands of acres were consumed by the largest
wildfire in Arizona’s history, potential flooding and erosion now linger. To
help reduce this flooding danger, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
is providing $400,000 of financial help through its Emergency Watershed
Protection Program (EWP).
Links...
News Release (July 14, 2011)
Wildfire Recovery Tips
Organic
Producers Eligible for Financial, Technical Help to Implement Conservation
Practices
April 12, 2011 —
USDA’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) announces another funding opportunity for certified
organic producers and those transitioning to organic production to implement
resource conservation practices on their agricultural operations. While
applications are accepted on a continuous basis, the cutoff date for this
application period is May 20, 2011.
Links...
News Release (April 12, 2011)
Organic Initiative Program
Information
Snowpack
Melting Fast; Low Runoff Predicted
April 5, 2011 — Arizona’s
mountain snowpack is melting fast due to a well below average snowpack and
soaring temperatures over the past week. As a result, streamflow for the
remainder of the spring runoff period is predicted to be well below normal.
Links...
News Release (April
5, 2011)
Basin Outlook Reports
Invasive Weeds Workshops: April-May 2011
April, 2011 — If you have
any of these five target species, you are eligible to participate in the
Cochise, Graham & Greenlee Counties Invasive Weed Rapid Response Program at no
cost.
Come and learn about the noxious, invasive weeds that can harm your property and
your neighbor's!
Links...
News Release (April, 2011)
NRCS Honors Volunteers During National Volunteer Week: April 10-16, 2011
March 26, 2011 - National Volunteer Week is April 10-16,
2011. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is celebrating NationalVolunteer
week by thanking and honoring its Earth Team volunteers for their service to
conservation. Earth Team is the agency’s official volunteer resource. Nationally
in fiscal year 2010, nearly 30,000 people donated 641,549 hours of service to NRCS worth $13.4 million.
Links...
News Release (March 26, 2011)
$2.4
Million Available to Arizona Farmers, Ranchers to Improve Air Quality
March 18, 2011 - Agriculture producers seeking to reduce PM10 (dust)
and other forms of air pollution can apply for help from the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS has $2.4 million in Arizona, along with
technical expertise, that is available to farmers and ranchers to improve air
quality, through the Air Quality Enhancement Program, an Environmental Quality
Incentive Program (EQIP) from the 2008 Farm Bill.
Links...
News Release (March 18, 2011)
Air Quality Program Information
Arizona
Snowpack Levels Below Average
March 8, 2011 — The Arizona Basin Outlook Report released this week by
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) shows the state snowpack to
be at below average levels. The federal agency monitors snow conditions in
Arizona’s mountain watersheds each winter to estimate the amount of water
available for spring and summer uses.
Links...
News Release (March 8, 2011)
Basin Outlook Reports
Northern
Arizona Archaeological Group Wins Multi-State Award
Feb. 16, 2011 - Six Arizona volunteers are being recognized as winners
of the NRCS Earth Team West Region Group Volunteer Award for 2011. David
Bancroft, Darlene Brinkerhoff, Gloria Kurzhals, Ralf Kurzhals, Michael
Overstreet and Dan Tobin all from Northern Arizona, are being recognized for
their volunteer work with Archaeologist Miles Gilbert, of the St. Michaels Field
Office, conducting archaeological surveys of 17,371 acres of Arizona
pastureland.
Links...
News Release (Feb. 16, 2011)
Arizona
On-Farm Energy Initiative: Funding Available for 2011
Feb. 14, 2011 - Arizona farmers, ranchers, dairies, nursery growers,
and other agricultural producers can apply for financial help to get an energy
audit for their operation. The Arizona On-Farm Energy Initiative, an EQIP
program, is being offered for Fiscal Year 2011 funding. This initiative is open
to agricultural producers for the development of Agricultural Energy Management
Plans (AgEMP), Conservation Activity Plans (CAP) and for individual on-farm
energy audits.
Links...
News Release (Feb. 14, 2011)
NRCS Easements Protect Agricultural Lands,
Wetlands and Grasslands
Jan. 31, 2010
– The Natural Resources Conservation
Service is accepting applications though Feb. 28 for the Wetlands Reserve
Program (WRP), Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and Farm and Ranch Lands
Protection Program (FRPP).
WRP gives landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands
on their property. NRCS provides technical and financial support to help
landowners with their wetland restoration efforts.
Links...
News Release (Jan. 31, 2011)
Funding
Available for Organic and Transitioning Organic Producers
Jan. 19, 2010
– Certified organic producers and those
transitioning to organic production are encouraged to apply for conservation
funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Applications must be
submitted by March 4 to be considered for current funding through the NRCS
organic initiative.
Links...
News Release (Jan.19, 2011)