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Arizona NRCS NewsNRCS 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. Arizona Snowpack Levels Above AverageJanuary 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.
NRCS Helps Land Users Put Conservation on the Ground - Applications for NRCS’s EQIP and WHIP 2013 financial assistance due – Jan. 18October 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... Little Horse Ranch - Surviving the DroughtSeptember, 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... NRCS Helps Residents in Shultz Fire Area Receive Better Protection from Potential FloodingAugust 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... NRCS Announcing Grants to Help Farmers, Ranchers Adapt to DroughtAugust 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. Links... Granite Creek Vineyard: A Model of ConservationAugust 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... Managing Soil Salinity in AgricultureJune 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... Controlling Dust to Improve Air QualityMay 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... NRCS Announces Water Quality Conservation in San Pedro and Gila River WatershedsMay 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. NRCS Announces Wildlife Conservation Efforts to Benefit the Southwestern Willow FlycatcherApril 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. Funding Available for Organic and Transitioning Organic ProducersApril 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. Honoring Volunteers During National Volunteer WeekApril 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. Improving Plant CommunityApril 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.
Reduce Nutrients in Surface and Ground WaterApril 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. Arizona Snowpack Levels Below AverageMarch 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.
Reliable Livestock WaterFebruary 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.
USDA Extends Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up to January 27January 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.
We Care About Conservation: AZ and AZ’s Conservation Districts Partner in Conservation Planning CampaignJanuary 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.
USDA Announces Funding for Water Quality Markets: $10 Million Available for Projects Nationally: Due January 31, 2012January 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... Improving Irrigation Water Use EfficiencyJanuary 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.
First 2012 Snow Survey Report Shows Above Normal Snowpack, PrecipitationJanuary 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.
Assistance Available to Arizona Farmers, Ranchers to Improve Air QualityDecember 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. Funding Available for Organic and Transitioning Organic ProducersOctober 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. Arizona On-Farm Energy Initiative: Funding Available for 2012October 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. NOV. 1 Deadline For Farmers, Ranchers To Apply For Conservation Financial Help EQIP & WHIP Application DeadlineOctober 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. NRCS Arizona Welcomes New State Conservationist - Keisha TatemSeptember 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. NRCS Provides Financial Help to Cochise County for Horseshoe Two Fire RecoveryAugust 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). Greenlee County Receives Funds from NRCS for Wallow Fire RecoveryAugust 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).
Apache County Receives Additional Funds from NRCS for Wallow Fire RecoveryJuly 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).
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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...
$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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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