Michigan NRCS News Releases
USDA Awards $14 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
$902,500 Awarded in Michigan
Agriculture Secretary Ed
Schafer announced $14 million in Conservation Innovation Grants to fund 45
projects in 40 states to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and
approaches that will help farmers conserve and sustain natural resources on
their operations.
"Conservation Innovation
Grants foster the development of new technologies and approaches to natural
resource management and conservation," Schafer said. "The grants we announce
today will ultimately result in placing innovative solutions in the hands of our
producers, which benefits agriculture and the environment."
Two grants were awarded in
Michigan, $500,000 was awarded to the Conservation Resource Alliance in Traverse
City and $402,500 was awarded to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The Conservation Resource Alliance received the grant for its Wild Link program
that encourages private landowners to provide corridors that link areas of
wildlife habitat in the northwest lower peninsula. The Michigan DNR will use its
grant funds to help farmers manage hay and grasslands for the benefit of
grassland birds. Both organizations were required to provide matching funds in
order to receive the grants.
Links...
News Release (June 26, 2008)
Financial assistance is available to landowners interested in improving habitat
for wildlife on their land.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has 2008 funding
available for habitat improvement through its wildlife habitat incentives
program. Funds are available this year for applications received before August
1. The funds cover about 75 percent of the typical costs for practices to
improve wildlife habitat such as planting native grasses and trees.
The recent passage of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 provided
additional current year funding for conservation programs. In Michigan, an
additional $475,000 in 2008 funding for the wildlife habitat incentives program
is anticipated. With a short backlog of existing applications, new applications
are being sought by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, which
administers the program.
Links...
News Release
(June 5, 2008)
NRCS-Michigan Wildlife Habitat Incentives
Program Web page
USDA Extends Sign-up for 2008 Conservation Security Program
CSP sign-up will run through May 30, 2008
U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Arlen
Lancaster today announced that producers in 51 eligible watersheds nationwide
will have two additional weeks to apply for the Conservation Security Program (CSP)
in fiscal year 2008. The sign-up now ends on May 30, 2008.
A sign-up extension
announcement is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on May 9,
2008. Originally, the CSP sign-up was scheduled to run from April 18-May 16,
2008.
“NRCS recognizes the
inopportune timing of this year’s sign-up and that farmers and ranchers are busy
in their fields. We want to give them as much time as possible,” Lancaster said.
“We are extending the sign-up as much as possible to allow producers adequate
time to gather natural resource information and complete the required
self-assessment and applicant interview. This two-week extension represents the
fullest accommodation we can make and deliver a program this year.”
Links...
News Release (May
7, 2008)
NRCS-Michigan Conservation Security Program Web page
Kick-off of New Collaboration to Improve Lake Erie Water Quality
Watershed based cooperative conservation to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff
in
Branch, Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw Counties
A partnership of government agencies and a non-profit organization announced a
joint-effort to improve wildlife habitat and water quality in southeast Michigan
and Lake Erie. The collaboration will increase the implementation of
conservation practices on privately-owned agricultural land in Michigan’s
Western Lake Erie Basin.
The partnership includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources
Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency, the Michigan Department of
Agriculture, numerous conservation districts, and the Environmental Defense
Fund, a non-profit organization. The target area includes all or portions of
Branch, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Washtenaw counties.
Links...
News Release (April
3, 2008)
Western Lake Erie Basin
Partnership Web site
Schafer Announces Conservation Security Program Sign-UP
Sign-Up Begins April 18 in 51 Watersheds Nationwide
Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced a sign-up for the Conservation
Security Program (CSP) that will be available starting on April 18 to
approximately 64,000 potentially eligible farms and ranches in 51 watersheds
covering more than 23.7 million acres.
"As President Bush has said, those who depend on the land to make a living are
the best stewards of the land," said Schafer. "Since the first sign-up in 2004,
CSP has offered payments for enhancing natural resources, rewarding those
farmers and ranchers who are model conservationists, and providing incentives
for other producers to achieve those same high standards of conservation in
agriculture."
The CSP sign-up is open in the 51 watersheds from April 18 to May 16. The
sign-up announcement and specific program requirements are being published in
the Federal Register.
CSP is a voluntary conservation program that supports ongoing stewardship of
private, agricultural working lands and rewards those producers who are meeting
the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their
operations.
Links...
News Release (March 19,
2008)
NRCS-Michigan Conservation Security Program Web page
Workshop to Feature Federal
Conservation Programs for Landowners
Representatives
from NRCS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will share information
about federal programs to improve wildlife habitat at a conservation workshop in
Macomb County on March 3.
The workshop will be held from 6 to 9
pm at the Huron Point Sportsmen's Association, 35800 E. 28 Mile Rd, Lenox
Township (map
and driving directions). NRCS and FWS staff will be available to talk
individually with attendees between 6 pm and when the official program begins at
7 pm. The program will focus on how private landowners can utilize federal
programs to improve wildlife and fish habitat on their land.
The workshop is being organized by
Congresswoman Candice Miller's office. Anyone planning to attend is asked to
please RSVP by February 25 to
Barbara.Bulic@mail.house.gov or by calling 586-997-5010.
(Feb. 14, 2008)
USDA Announces Fiscal Year 2008
Sign-Up for up to $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) Chief Arlen Lancaster today announced the request for proposals
for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) for fiscal year 2008. The CIG program
is designed to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation
approaches and technologies.
“CIG enables NRCS to work with other
public and private entities to accelerate transfer and adoption of promising
technologies and conservation approaches to address some of the Nation's most
pressing natural resource concerns,” said Lancaster. “CIG benefits agricultural
producers by providing more options for environmental enhancement.”
The Department of Agriculture’s NRCS
administers CIG. For fiscal year (FY) 2008, up to $20 million is available for
the National CIG competition. Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to
exceed three years, will be awarded through a nationwide competitive grants
process with applications accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area
(Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and the Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American
Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) from all eligible
non-federal government or non-government organizations or individuals, including
federally recognized tribes.
Links...
News Release (Dec.
17, 2007)
NRCS Sets Selection Dates for 2008 EQIP Funds
Links...
News Release (Oct. 23, 2007)
Johanns Announces Additional
Conservation Security Program Activities
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns
today announced the release of additional funding for Conservation Security
Program (CSP) implementation.
Funds will be made available for both
the completion of payments on Fiscal year 2007 CSP contracts as well as to
prepare for a future program signup. Specifically, $35 million has been made
available to complete payments to producers who received only partial funding
for their fiscal year 2007 payment.
In addition, $2.93 million is being
made available to help producers and Natural Resources Conservation Service
field staff prepare for a future program signup in the 51 watersheds previously
identified for FY 2007.
Links...
News Release (August 7, 2007)
USDA Awards Nearly $20 Million in
Conservation Innovation Grants
Two Grants Awarded in Michigan
Agriculture Under Secretary for
Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey announced the award of nearly $20
million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to 36 states to fund 51 projects
designed to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and approaches that can
help producers maintain viable agricultural operations.
Two conservation Innovation Grants
were awarded in Michigan. Michigan State University was awarded a $443,410 grant
to develop a National Air Quality Self Assessment Tool. The tool will be used to
help poultry and livestock producers determine the best methods to mitigate air
emissions specific to their operations. Coveyou Farms of Petoskey will receive a
$87,300 grant to develop, install and demonstrate a portable high tunnel growing
system.
The Bush Administration proposed a five-fold increase in funding for
Conservation Innovation Grants in the 2007 Farm Bill from $20 million to $100
million per year.
Links...
News Release (June 27, 2007)
Conservation Partnership Revises
National Backyard Conservation Publication
Publication printed in Spanish for
the first time
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation
Service Chief Arlen Lancaster today announced that USDA and the National Audubon
Society have revised the popular “Backyard Conservation” publication. The
printed version has always been available in English; it will now also be
available in Spanish.
“Backyard Conservation” highlights 10
conservation practices used by farmers and ranchers that can be adapted by
homeowners in their urban or suburban backyards. The 28-page publication
features actions people can take to enhance or protect natural resources,
including building a pond, composting, mulching, properly managing pests,
terracing, tree planting, conserving water and creating wildlife habitat.
Links...
News Release (June
11, 2007)
USDA to Provide Federal Funds to Protect Michigan's Farmland
About $1.5 million is available to protect agricultural land in Michigan through
the federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP) in fiscal year 2007,
said Elvis Graves, Acting State Conservationist for U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Nationwide, $69 million is available to all 50 states, the Pacific Islands,
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands for FRPP projects in fiscal year 2007.
NRCS is seeking proposals from local, state and federally recognized tribal
governments and non-governmental organizations interested in working together to
acquire conservation easements on farms and ranches. Proposals postmarked or
received at the NRCS State Office in East Lansing by the close of business
Friday, April 27, 2007 will be ranked and considered for funding. Final project
selections are expected to be announced in June.
Links...
News Release (March 30, 2007)
FRPP Web Page
Funds Available for Agricultural Water Conservation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has made $380,000 in funding available to
assist agricultural producers in conserving ground and surface water.
The funds will be made available through the USDA’s Environmental Quality
Incentives Program administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Under the Michigan Ground and Surface Water Conservation Program, incentives
payments will be paid to agricultural producers to implement any of three
specified water conservation activities that apply to irrigation efficiency and
reuse of water by dairy operations. Producers interested in applying for the
incentive payments should apply at their local USDA Service Center by March 15.
Links...
News
Release (Feb. 14, 2007)
EQIP Web Page
USDA Announces 2007 Sign-Up for up to $20 Million in Conservation Innovation
Grants
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the request for proposals for
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). The CIG program is designed to stimulate
the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and
technologies.
For FY 2007, up to $20 million is available for the National CIG competition.
Funds for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, will be
awarded through a nationwide competitive grants process. Applications must be
received by February 2, 2007.
Links...
News Release (Dec. 4, 2006)
CIG Web Page
USDA'S New Web-based Awareness Tool Estimates Energy Use for Animal Housing
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today unveiled a Web-based energy awareness
tool designed to help agricultural producers reduce energy costs related to
animal housing. The "Energy Estimator for Animal Housing" evaluates the energy
use and costs associated with heating, lighting and ventilating poultry, swine
and dairy housing. This is the fourth energy estimator tool USDA has developed
as part of its overall energy strategy to reduce the impacts of high energy
costs and to help develop long-term solutions for producers.
Links...
News Release
(Nov. 15, 2006)
Energy Estimator Tool
Boardman-Charlevoix Among 51 Watersheds Selected for 2007 CSP
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that 51 watersheds in 50
states, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean Area will be eligible for the 2007
Conservation Security Program (CSP). These watersheds represent more than 64,500
of the nation’s potentially eligible farms and ranches, covering nearly 24
million acres of cropland and grazing land. Based on President Bush’s requested
funding level for the program for fiscal year 2007, the 51 watersheds would be
eligible for enrollment. The Boardman-Charlevoix Watershed in Michigan was one
of the 51 watersheds selected for 2007.
Links...
News Release (Sept.
27, 2006)
Michigan CSP Web page
The sixth annual Protectors of the Earth Youth Camp attracted 28 students from
across Michigan to the campus of Bay Mills Community College.
The Protectors of the Earth Youth Camp introduces students in grades seven
through ten to careers in the natural resources field.
Links...
News Release (August 4, 2006)
Protectors of the Earth Web page
USDA Awards Nearly $20 Million in Conservation Innovation Grants
Agriculture Under Secretary Mark Rey today awarded nearly $20 million in
Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to 38 states, including Michigan, to fund
66 projects designed to develop and refine cutting-edge technologies and
approaches that can help producers maintain viable agricultural operations.
Links...
News Release
(June 19, 2006)
Johanns Announces FY 2006 Conservation Security Program Contracts
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the
funding of 4,404 Conservation Security Program (CSP) contracts across the United
States, Puerto Rico and Guam.
"This year more producers enrolled in the Conservation Security Program,
demonstrating that incentives work for voluntary conservation programs," said
Johanns. "The conservation benefits derived from this program will help farmers
and ranchers to improve their operations and increase the quality of our natural
resources, benefiting all Americans."
Links...
News Release
(June 6, 2006)
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced the deadline for completing
environmental projects to qualify for the Environmental Quality Incentives
Program (EQIP) energy cost assistance will be extended to September 1, 2006.
Prior to today's announcement the deadline for completion of the EQIP projects
was June 30th to receive the incentive payment for EQIP projects that have been
delayed due to increasing energy costs. The EQIP energy cost assistance applies
to regular EQIP projects, Ground and Surface Water Conservation EQIP projects
and Klamath Basin EQIP projects.
Links...
News Release
(June 2, 2006)
NRCS, Audubon Partner in Campaign to Promote Wildlife Habitat
NRCS in partnership with the National Audubon Society announced the
availability of conservation information to individuals and communities
for better management of schoolyards, backyards, country homes, neighborhoods
and apartments. NRCS and the National Audubon Society are dedicated to
protecting habitat for birds and other wildlife. Five 8-1/2"x11" publications
open to 11"x17" posters that describe how to attract birds, bats, and
butterflies to your backyard and community.
Links...
National Audubon Society News Release (May 25, 2006)
Johanns Announces 43 Percent Decline in Total Cropland Erosion
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns today announced that according to USDA's
National Resources Inventory (NRI), a statistical survey of natural resource
conditions and trends on non-federal land, that total soil erosion on cultivated
and non-cultivated cropland in the U.S. decreased 43 percent between 1982 and
2003, sheet and rill erosion decreased 42 percent, and wind erosion decreased 44
percent.
Links...
News Release (May 22,
2006)
Caro High School Team Wins 2006 Michigan
Envirothon
Students from Caro High School placed first at the
2006 Michigan Envirothon held at Camp Grayling. The Caro team will now go on to
compete at the Canon Envirothon in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Links...
News Release
(May 12, 2006)
Grant Proposals Requested for Farm & Ranch Lands
Protection Program
Over $70 million to preserve prime farmland is
available through the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program. Funds through
FRPP are awarded to state, tribal and local governments and qualified
non-governmental organizations on a competitive basis. Successful applicants use
the funds to purchase conservation easements on farmland threatened with
conversion to non-agricultural use. Proposals for FRPP funds must be received at
the NRCS state office in East Lansing no later than 5 p.m. May 11, 2006.
Links...
News Release
(April 3, 2006)
USDA Offers Financial Assistance for Wildlife
Habitat
U.S. Department of Agriculture programs can provide financial assistance to
rural landowners for creating or improving wildlife habitat.
Links...
News Release (Feb.
6, 2006)
USDA Offers Farmers Financial
Assistance for Conservation
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Feb. 2, 2006 –
A U.S. Department of Agriculture program can help farmers pay for conservation
practices that prevent erosion, improve water quality and provide habitat for
wildlife.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, administered by the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, can pay up to 75 percent of the cost of certain
conservation practices on agricultural land. Funding is still available in 2006
for farmers who apply for the program before March 15.
Links...
News Release (Feb. 2,
2006)
Sign-Up Announced for 2006 Conservation Security Program
Producers in the Maple River Watershed will have seven weeks to sign up for
the Conservation Security Program beginning on February 13. Producers begin the
application process by filling out a self-assessment to determine if they meet
the basic qualifications for CSP.
Links...
News Release (Feb. 1,
2006)
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