Natural Resources Conservation Service

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NRCS Announces $65 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants

May 27, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Soil Health

USDA today announced the availability of $65 million this year for new tools, approaches, practices and technologies to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

NRCS Chief Steps Down, ‘Youngest’ Leader in Agency History Takes the Helm

By John Dobberstein posted on May 18, 2026 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

Colton L. Buckley, who was serving as associate chief, will take the helm as the youngest NRCS chief in history at the massive agency, which provides technical and financial assistance to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners across the U.S. conserve natural resources.

Sand County Foundation Awards Grants to Farmer-Led Watershed Groups

July 9, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

Source: Sand County Foundation

Sand County Foundation has announced the recipients of its Farmer-Led Fund for Watershed Improvement.

Press Release

Edmund Acres Named 2024 Conservation Farm of the Year

March 11, 2025

Source: The Batavian

Edmund Acres has been named the 2024 Conservation Farm of the Year by the Genesee County Soil and Water Conservation District for its commitment to sustainable farming practices.

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Press Release

USDA Seeking Partners for Cropland Cover for Soil Health and Wildlife Project

February 28, 2025 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag

Source: USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications from producers interested in participating in the Cropland Cover for Soil Health and Wildlife Project.

News Release

University of Maryland Extension Obtains $500K Grant for Cover Crop Research

By Cameron Adams posted on August 23, 2024 | Posted in Investing in Regenerative Ag

Source: The Frederick News Post

The University of Maryland Extension in Frederick is looking to expand practical research into cover crops and better understand how farmers learn from each other. The National Fish and Wildlife Service awarded $500,000 for the project to the University of Maryland Extension in Frederick.

Expert Advice from 3 Veteran Cover Croppers at the Midwest Cover Crop Council

By Tom J. Bechman posted on March 14, 2024

Source: Farm Progress

Barry Fisher moderated a panel of cover croppers at the Midwest Cover Crop Council annual meeting.

Survey Shows Indiana Remains a Top State for Cover Crops

April 27, 2018

With the late harvest and heavy rains farmers experienced last fall, seeing close to 1 million acres of cover crops growing is no small accomplishment.

Cover Crop Economics Decision Support Tool Offered by NRCS

February 2, 2018 | Posted in Soil Health

Adding cover crops may bring many other benefits beyond what the tool is capturing, such as reducing wind erosion, filtering of run-off, and improvements to off-site water quality, or restored wildlife habitat.

NRCS Issues Guidelines on Cover Crop Termination

June 12, 2013 | Posted in Termination

The NRCS released new guidelines on the termination of cover crops that could answer a few uncertainties on how covers should be managed in different climates in the U.S., but the RMA is still addressing questions about its policies with cover crops and eligibility for federal crop insurance.