USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Improve Water Quality In Mississippi River Basin
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking project proposals that will improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states, including Arkansas.

USDA Announces Formation of Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Committee
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced he is seeking nominations from the public for the new Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Committee. The committee will inaugurate a new level of collaboration between the USDA Forest Service and the American people in the restoration of forested landscapes.

Initiative offers funding for organic, transitional growers - Deadline for applications set for March 12, 2010
Washington agricultural producers transitioning to organic production or already certified as organic, may qualify for technical and financial assistance to address natural resource concerns, USDA’s NRCS announced today.

Trout Headwaters, Inc. stream and wetland restoration project benefits Colorado mountain ranch property.
Stream and wetland restoration work was completed on the Sleeping Dog Ranch during early spring of 2009. The project was an acclaimed success and is described in this brief case study by FSC affiliate, Trout Headwaters, Inc.

USDA-RMA Funding Opportunities Announced - OUTREACH & EDUCATION
Community Outreach and Assistance Partnership Program announces the availability of approximately $2.5 million in fiscal year 2010 (subject to availability of funds) for collaborative outreach and assistance programs and limited resource, socially disadvantaged and other traditionally under-served farmers and ranchers, who produce Priority Commodities as defined within the RFA.

Sulivan Named USDA NRCS State Conservationist
Michael E. Sullivan was named Arkansas State Conservationist of the USDA's NRCS on December 7, 2009. As State Conservationist, he leads NRCS activities throughout Arkansas.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Signup Open Until March 12
Arkansans who own grazing lands are encouraged to consider signing up for the USDA's 2010 Grassland Reserve Program (GRP).

Don't Miss the 2nd Annual Northeast PA Energy Solutions Expo
June 26 - 27, 2010 Luzerne County Fairgrounds, Dallas, PA

Workshop on Succession planning for landowners
Learn about legal and economic aspects of transferring forest lands from one generation to the next.

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) includes a new program effective Jan. 1
The state hopes a new initiative to preserve farmland can "cluster farms together" and encourage farmers, businesses and local governments to invest in agriculture.

Twin Prescribed Fire Review Available on Kaibab National Forest Website
The Twin Prescribed Fire Escaped Fire Review is available on the Kaibab National Forest website at http://fs.usda.gov/kaibab. To access the document, click on the right-hand link to “Twin Fire Overview” and then scroll down the page to the “Post-Fire” section under which the review document is posted.

MOUNTAIN SNOWPACK REMAINS BELOW AVERAGE AND BELOW LAST YEAR
February 1 mountain snowpack was below average and below last year following the third month in a row with below average mountain precipitation. January mountain precipitation west of the Divide was 57 percent of average and east of the Divide was 60 percent of average.

Applications for free conservation training program
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UMass Extension Program is accepting applications for the Keystone Cooperator Project (formerly Coverts).

Tongass Motor Vehicle Use Maps available now
Ketchikan, AK—Users of motor vehicles on the Tongass National Forest should stop by their local ranger district to pick up the current copy of the Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM), available now. There is a separate MVUM for each district or unit.

POC for Logjam Project Law Suit Info Named
The Department of Justice has named Andrew Ames as the spokesperson for the Tongass Conservation Society v. USFS

Alaska Region Forest Service and State ADF&G Seek Concurrence to Protect Fish Habitat and Fish Passage
Alaska Forest Service Regional Forester Denny Bschor signed a memorandum of understanding with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game that outlines protocols for gaining concurrence in conducting instream activites on the Tongass and Chugach national forests.

Glacial watersheds may contribute to oceanic food web
A study recently completed in the gulf coast of Alaska by federal and university researchers has found that as glacial ice disappears, the production and export of high- quality food from glacial watersheds to marine ecosystems may disappear too.

Plant Windbreaks for Snow Control, Protection
LINCOLN, January 4, 2010 - Many Nebraskans may be saying “enough already with the snow and cold wind,” but there is a way to protect yourself in the future, and that is with a well-planned windbreak of trees and shrubs, says Dennis Adams, forester with the Nebraska Forest Service at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Forest Service seeks comment on Petersburg outfitter and guide use plan
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on its Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Outfitter and Guide Management Plan for the Petersburg Ranger District.

Cerveny Earns Early Career Scientist Award
Research examines social, cultural impacts of tourism in southeast Alaska

Forest Service seeks comment on Petersburg outfitter and guide use plan
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking public comment on its Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Outfitter and Guide Management Plan for the Petersburg Ranger District. A decision on the plan will determine how recreation visitor capacity will be allocated to outfitters and guides through issuance of special use permits.

Mountain Snowpack Below Average
NRCS Snow Survey officials report that statewide mountain snowpack was below average and below last year. January 1 represents about 45 percent of the expected seasonal snowfall, so more than half of the snowfall season remains.

2008 Farm Bill Brochure available
Landowners will find this brochure useful in understanding how the 2008 Farm Bill can help them.

USDA Forest Service Launches Collaborative Process for New Planning Rule
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the USDA Forest Service is beginning an open, collaborative process to create and implement a modern planning rule to address current and future needs of the National Forest System, including restoring forests, protecting watersheds, addressing climate change, sustaining local economies, improving collaboration, and working across landscapes.

Montana Participates in High Tunnel Pilot Study
Montana is participating in a 3-year, 38 state study designed to verify if high tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers.

Donated Conservation Easements Protect 21,000 Acres Along Critical Georgia Waterways
Governor Sonny Perdue announced 13 conservation easement donations from private landowners to the state of Georgia as part of the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP).

Largest Recovery of Money for Hazardous Waste Clean Up Ever
WASHINGTON-As a result of the largest environmental bankruptcy in U.S. history, $1.79 billion has been paid to fund environmental cleanup and restoration under a bankruptcy reorganization of American Smelting and Refining Company LLC (ASARCO), the Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture announced today.

Farmers Must Access Wet Fields with “Conservation Care”
Champaign, IL December 1, 2009—Farmers who still have crops in their fields are acting quick to access land and complete harvest operations. However, they must do so in a careful manner and be mindful of their conservation credo according to Illinois State Conservationist for the NRCS Bill Gradle.

Unique Partnership Promotes Conservation through Ranching
A group of ranching and conservation organizations have formed a broad-based coalition to enhance ranching practices that consider important conservation issues throughout the West.

$1.4 Million Awarded to Public/private Partnerships for Land Conservation
47 Land Trust Organizations and Communities Across New York to Benefit

Forest Service releases decision for Petersburg motorized vehicle access
Petersburg, AK –Users of motorized vehicles on Forest Service roads on the Petersburg Ranger District, Tongass National Forest, will want to pick up a new motor vehicle use map (MVUM) for the district when it becomes available January 2010.

MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES BACK LAND CONSERVATION BILL
Majorities of both Democratic and Republican house members have co-sponsored Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831

Program matches aging farmers with their replacements
It's an increasingly popular idea across the country as a growing number of states try to pump fresh blood into graying fields. The job is to connect fresh-faced wannabes from all over the country with Iowa farmers preparing for retirement — or merely pondering it. This is farm matchmaking, a down payment on the future of rural America.

Counties hold key to Williamson Act's future
The loss of Williamson Act protection could mean that some of the land that gets farmed in California "won't be worth farming any longer."

California state budget cuts have suspended a land conservation program that has been hailed as a key to preventing sprawl and easing economic pressure on farmers and ranchers.
The 44-year-old Williamson Act provides tax breaks to agricultural landowners who sign 10-year contracts (renewed annually) not to develop their property.

2010 Woodland Steward Series
Forest Conservation Education intended for the general public, landowners and other professionals and students.

USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Improve Water Quality In Mississippi River Basin
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking project proposals that will improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states, including Arkansas.

Initiative offers funding for organic, transitional growers - Deadline for applications set for March 12, 2010
Washington agricultural producers transitioning to organic production or already certified as organic, may qualify for technical and financial assistance to address natural resource concerns, USDA’s NRCS announced today.

Funding Available to Fight Invasive Weeds
The USDA NRCS is offering $1.5 million in cost share assistance to landowners through the Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) to control invasive species in fully or over appropriated watersheds. Landowners have until March 12, 2010, to sign up for assistance.

USDA Announces CRP Expansion
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack recently announced that USDA will conduct an open enrollment for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) this spring, marking the first general sign-up since 2006.

Initiative offers funding for organic, transitional growers - Deadline for applications set for March 12, 2010
Washington agricultural producers transitioning to organic production or already certified as organic, may qualify for technical and financial assistance to address natural resource concerns, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today.

Grassland Reserve Program Signup Open Until March 12
Arkansans who own grazing lands are encouraged to consider signing up for the USDA's 2010 Grassland Reserve Program (GRP). GRP assists landowners by protecting grazing lands through the conservation of grassland resources on eligible private lands.

USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Improve Water Quality in Mississippi River Basin
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is seeking project proposals that will improve water quality and the overall health of the Mississippi River in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states.

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) Signup Open Until March 12
Arkansans who own grazing lands are encouraged to consider signing up for the USDA's 2010 Grassland Reserve Program (GRP).

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) includes a new program effective Jan. 1
The state hopes a new initiative to preserve farmland can "cluster farms together" and encourage farmers, businesses and local governments to invest in agriculture.

Applications for free conservation training program
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UMass Extension Program is accepting applications for the Keystone Cooperator Project (formerly Coverts).

Organics Initiative Funding Announced
The 2008 Farm Bill provides NRCS with authority to provide organic growers an opportunity to compete for funds through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

USDA, IRS partner to reduce farm fraud
The USDA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service to reduce fraud in farm programs and streamline payment limits for family farmers.

Farmland Preservation Funding Opportunity
The Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP), administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is now accepting applications for funding. Organizations with an eligible farmland preservation program can apply for FRPP, which provides up to half of the appraised fair market value of the farm's preservation easement.

North Dakota Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Geographic Area Rate Cap (GARC) Establishment
The following GARC analysis describes the process for calculating GARCs for the 2010 Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) in ND. WRP easements in ND are located primarily on dry land.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced a new pilot project under the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels - also known as hoop houses - to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA to launch high tunnel pilot study to increase availability of locally grown foods
Funding available for producers to participate in 3-year project. USDA’s NRCS recently announced a new pilot project under the “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food” initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels – also known as hoop houses – to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

USDA Launches High Tunnel Pilot Study To Increase Availability of Locally Grown Foods
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced a new pilot project under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels–also known as hoop houses–to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way.

Producers urged to carefully consider CRP break-out options; financial, technical assistance available to protect land
SPOKANE, Wash., (Dec. 7, 2009) – After years of harvesting environmental and wildlife benefits from their land, many Washington growers will soon face decisions about what to harvest next from their CRP acres. More than 90,000 contracted acres will expire in 2010, while nearly 175,000 acres will expire in 2011.

USDA Works With South Dakota To Improve James River Water Quality
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack joined South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds in signing an agreement that will improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, aid flood control and enhance wildlife habitat in the state’s James River Watershed.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces $1.7 Billion in Conservation Reserve Program Rental Payments
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will distribute approximately $1.7 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) rental payments to participants across the country in fiscal year 2010.

NRCS ANNOUNCES STRONG INTEREST IN NEW CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (CSP)
Chief Dave White today announced that NRCS has received nearly 21,300 applications to participate in the new Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These applications cover more than 33 million acres, nationwide.

Program Helps Farmers Protect Land
Any landowner in the county who wants to do the right thing for local streams, neighbors' well water, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay can get a lot of help from the government.

Workshop on Succession planning for landowners
Learn about legal and economic aspects of transferring forest lands from one generation to the next.

MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES BACK LAND CONSERVATION BILL
Majorities of both Democratic and Republican house members have co-sponsored Conservation Easement Incentive Act, H.R. 1831

Workshop on Succession planning for landowners
Learn about legal and economic aspects of transferring forest lands from one generation to the next.

Tax breaks for land conservation in Illinois signed into law
SB 17 provides tax incentives for conservation management of woodlands, prairies, wetlands and other undeveloped lands

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• new conservation projects 
• more acres conserved
• new members of the land conservation community