NACD is excited to announce that USDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small will be joining us in San Diego for NACD's Annual Meeting! The Deputy Secretary will provide a keynote address during the Leadership Luncheon on Monday, February 12.

The granddaughter of farmworkers, Torres Small grew up in the borderlands of New Mexico. Prior to joining USDA, she was a United States Representative for the fifth largest district in the country, where she served as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, the House Armed Services Committee, and as chairwoman of the Oversight, Management, and Accountability subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee. Torres Small was the first woman and first person of color to represent New Mexico’s second congressional district.

She also previously served as USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development. In this role, she oversaw loans and grants to provide infrastructure improvements; business development; affordable housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural, Tribal, and high-poverty areas. During her leadership, USDA Rural Development secured $2 billion to support rural broadband through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Torres Small was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture on July 11, 2023. She is the first Latina to hold this position.

We are honored to have her join us next month.

APPLY FOR NACD URBAN AND COMMUNITY GRANTS

As urban and community agriculture and conservation continue to grow in importance for clients of conservation districts, NACD is proud to continue our partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in delivering our Urban and Community Conservation (UAC) Grant Initiative.  

We are again accepting applications for up to $60,000 to support projects that promote the delivery of conservation technical assistance in urban and community-oriented settings, including for projects that serve rural populations. See the full RFP online, with applications due April 1, 2024 11:59 p.m. PT.  

With over 100 example projects already completed or active in 35 states (see NACD’s UAC Story Map), conservation districts have provided technical assistance to urban and smallholder farmers on soil health, pollinators, biodiversity conservation, native plants, irrigation and water management, and a variety of other technical topics.  

For example, Mason Conservation District in Washington broadened its Farms in Translation program by offering translation services to the area’s Guatemalan community. Likewise, Merrimack County Conservation District in New Hampshire is using its grant to improve water quality and enhance food security in the district’s urban areas.  

While not a required aspect of the grants, many conservation districts have used their UAC grants to further develop their own programming related to underrepresented clients. Many grantees have addressed food security and sovereignty within their local communities, as well as supported minority farmers, migrant communities, and others who may not have traditionally accessed conservation district programming. Potential UAC applicants are encouraged to read NACD’s Board Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity to understand our commitment to equitable programming.  

Any questions related to the UAC grant may be directed to Rachel Theler at rachel-theler@nacdnet.org.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON:

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

Congressional appropriations committees have reportedly reached an agreement on top line spending levels for 12 federal funding bills. Details have not yet been released. This is an important step in Congress passing full-year appropriations bills after a third continuing resolution was signed into law this month, funding federal agencies until March. Congress must pass full-year appropriations bills or an additional continuing resolution before the March deadlines to avoid a government shutdown.

Last week, the USDA announced an investment of over $200 million in renewable energy and fertilizer projects across 42 states. The awards will be made available through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and the Fertilizer Expansion Program (FPEP) and will go to over 600 projects, including many Inflation Reduction Act proposals. For a list of announced awards, along with other information about the initiative, check out USDA’s press release. 

NRCS will be holding the latest meeting of the Urban Agriculture and Innovation Production Advisory Committee (UAIPAC) on Wednesday, January 31, from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET. The Committee will be discussing proposed recommendations for USDA on policies and outreach relating to urban and other emerging agriculture practices. Learn more about UAIPAC and register for the meeting here. 

On Wednesday, January 31, the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hear multiple proposals, including the "Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023” and the "Accelerating Appraisals and Conservation Efforts Act." The meeting will begin at 10:00 AM EST and can be watched live here. 

NGLI MEMBER AWARDED AS OUTSTANDING COMMISSIONER IN SOUTH CAROLINA

During the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts 2024 Partnership Conference this month, Next Generation Leadership Institute (NGLI) member Michael Stewart was presented with the Outstanding Commissioner Award.

Stewart is a member of the 2023 NGLI cohort who will graduate at the NACD Annual Meeting in San Diego. In 2018, Mike was elected to a seat on the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District Commission and in 2020 he was elected to represent the 11-county West Piedmont Region on the South Carolina Association of Conservation Districts board. Mike has served as the Chair of the Greenville County Soil and Water Conservation District since 2020 and as South Carolina’s NACD alternate board member since 2022.

The National Conservation Foundation's Next Generation Leadership Institute takes conservation leaders like Stewart to the next level by training individuals to rise to the challenge of understanding and directing national, collaborative efforts in locally led conservation.

For more information on NGLI, visit here.