The National Conservation Foundation (NCF) kicked off the 34th Annual NCF-Envirothon Competition on Sunday, July 23! Hosted in partnership with Envirothon New Brunswick and Science East, this year’s competition is being held at Mount Allison University in Tantramar, New Brunswick, Canada. The 2023 NCF-Envirothon Competition brings together 51 teams of high school students from across the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore to compete for more than $40,000 in prizes and awards in the five areas of study: aquatic ecology, forestry, soils and land use, wildlife, and the event’s current environmental issue.

“We’re excited to be in New Brunswick for this year’s competition,” said NCF Chair Brent Van Dyke. “These students are the conservation leaders of tomorrow. The Envirothon competition gives them the opportunity to learn about conservation, equipping them with knowledge and skills to face the natural resource challenges of the future.”

The 2023 Envirothon will spotlight the ecology and natural resources of New Brunswick, Canada, with a special focus on this year’s current issue of “Adapting to a Changing Climate.” Students will learn about the factors contributing to a changing climate, its impact on natural resources and human society, and actions that can be taken to mitigate those impacts. Students will also learn about the unique natural resource challenges facing local communities and how these communities are adapting to maintain their ways of life.

“New Brunswick’s commitment to hosting the NCF-Envirothon competition reflects the importance of fostering climate action and bridging the gap between youth and promising careers in environmental and natural resources, paving the way for a sustainable future” said New Brunswick Host Committee Chair, Becky Geneau. “Empowering students with the opportunity to learn from experts in their respective fields is crucial in fostering their growth as critical thinkers. By equipping them with the knowledge and skills to tackle the pressing challenges of today, we enable them to become agents of change, offering innovative and collaborative solutions that shape a brighter future for all” remarked Geneau.

The event is already underway, with students undergoing training and testing in the five areas of study. The rest of the weeklong academic competition will immerse student teams in the development of an oral presentation based on the year's current issue. The week will conclude with a closing ceremony to distribute awards and scholarships.

Complete event details can be found on the NCF-Envirothon website.

NACD OUTREACH AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM UPDATES

NACD has revised its policy on indirect costs for the 2023 Outreach and Technical Assistance Grants Program.

Grantees now have three options:

1. Budget includes 100% direct costs. The grantee does not apply an indirect cost rate because all costs are directly charged to the grant. 
2. Grantee applies the 10% de minimis indirect rate to total modified direct costs. Grantees must have a financial or accounting policy that describes their cost allocation process, ensuring that indirect costs are not double charged or inconsistently charged (see 2 CFR § 200.403).
3. Grantee applies the rate(s) established in their approved Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA). This rate would have been negotiated with and approved by the USDA.  

The full written guidance for indirect costs as well as the updated FAQ, which covers indirect costs and other important topics, is available on the program homepage.

As a reminder, applications for the 2023 Outreach and Technical Assistance Grant are due on August 6, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

FIELD TO MARKET

 ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Field to Market is accepting nominations for the 2023 Sustainability Leadership Awards. These awards - Farmer of the Year, Trusted Adviser of the Year, and Collaboration of the Year - recognize exceptional leaders that have demonstrated outstanding commitments to commodity crop sustainability.

For NACD Technical Assistance grantees, this is a chance for your staff and producers to be recognized nationally. [Please note it is required that nominees participate (past or currently) in a Field to Market project, and it must be in commodity crops.]

Field to Market staff and a professional video crew will visit each winner to develop a 5-7 minute video documenting their success story. This video will be paired with a story on Field to Market's website, social media posts, and more, all scheduled to be debuted at Field to Market's December Plenary & General Assembly meeting on December 5, 2023, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Winners will be invited to attend the meeting and say a few words during the Sustainability Leadership Awards Ceremony on the evening of the 5th. 

A list of questions required for each award can be found here. Visit the member portal to explore the criteria for each award.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 4, 2023. Please submit your nominations here and contact Katrina Stacey with any questions related to your nomination or the nomination process.

WHAT'S UP IN WASHINGTON? GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for nearly 2.7 million acres from producers and private landowners through this year’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup. Top states for this year’s Grassland CRP signup include Colorado at 430,899 acres, Nebraska at 417,865 acres, and South Dakota at 325,443 acres. In addition to the Grasslands signups, FSA has also accepted more than 1 million acres through the General signup, and more than 465,800 acres have been submitted through Continuous CRP signup so far this year. Learn more about the announcement and CRP opportunities here.  

Congress is pushing to advance bills to fund the federal government in the next fiscal year, but disagreements are threatening their final passage before the end of September. The House is working to pass their draft bill to fund USDA and FDA, which would rescind some IRA investments and cut portions of USDA’s budget. House amendments filed to further cut funding, President Biden’s threat to veto the House bill, and wide disparities in the Senate bill make final passage before the deadline more difficult. Delays in the appropriations process could delay the development and consideration of the 2023 Farm Bill, which also expires at the end of September. NACD is continuing to work with all members of Congress to support our appropriations and farm bill priorities. 

NACD appreciates our members' continued interest in working with us to advance NACD’s policy priorities. We encourage you to keep in touch with your federal representatives and take advantage of opportunities to participate in local meetings with them. If you need help contacting your members of Congress, or if you have questions about preparing for a meeting, please don’t hesitate to reach out to chris-young@nacdnet.org or connor-simons@nacdnet.org. 

HAWAII DISTRICTS HOST 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION IN VOLCANO

Earlier this summer, conservation professionals gathered in Volcano, HI to celebrate 75 Years of Hawaii Soil and Water Conservation Districts at the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts’ (HACD) annual conference.

The event was held just north of the active Mount Kīlauea volcano’s summit caldera, where attendees had the opportunity to visit and view nearby steam vents and cooling lava from the recent eruption. Participants heard from partner organizations and agencies, board members from throughout Hawaii, local growers, makers, and conservation district planners alike on topics including conservation funding opportunities, value-added products, diversified agriculture, partner relations, capacity building, and local success stories/updates. Featuring National Association of Conservation Districts President Kim Lafleur, Natural Resource Conservation Service West Region Conservationist Astor Boozer, HACD’s Dept. of Defense REPI Program Coordinator Luly Unemori, and Bay Clinic CEO Dr. Kimo Alameda, among others, the emphasis on leveraging the value of partnerships remained strong throughout the event’s presentations. Wednesday was wrapped up with concurrent leadership meetings and conservation field staff training sessions. After the dinner and silent auction, participants networked and shared conversation over games and music at the collocated bowling alley, lounge, and arcade.

Day two consisted of an exciting set of field visits, beginning with a short tour and Q&A session with a tea and vegetable grower in Pahala, Ancient Valley Growers. After briefly learning about the production and initial processing stages of the endemic mamaki plant, the group shuttled to a coffee mill and plantation, Ka’u Coffee Mill, to enjoy samples, smells, and an explanation on coffee bean production and processing. After visiting with a cattle rancher and hearing testimony on the value that conservation planning brings to their operation, the group enjoyed lunch before finishing the day with a tasting and tour at the Volcano Winery. The evening tapered out with more socializing over music and festivities.

The final morning of the conference consisted of a closing board meeting as district board members, staff, and partners departed for their respective homes.

ARKANSAS HOSTS ANNUAL MEETING FOR DISTRICTS

Agriculture has long been the backbone of Arkansas's economy, contributing significantly to its prosperity and cultural identity. However, the state's agricultural producers face various challenges, including the conservation of natural resources, sustainable farming practices, and environmental protection. To address these concerns, the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) plays a crucial role in empowering agricultural producers and fostering a sustainable future for the state's agriculture industry. On July 12-13, the AACD held its annual meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. This meeting is a time for conservation district directors and their employees to meet with federal, state, national, and nonprofit partners to share ideas, celebrate successes, and learn about new markets, meet new partners, and learn about opportunities for agriculture producers.

AACD Past President Jerry Don Clark kicked off the morning session followed by NRCS State Conservationist Mike Sullivan and NACD South Central Region Board Member and current AACD President, John McAlpine. Mr. Sullivan spoke about conservation programs and initiatives, and the importance of the partnership with conservation districts. Following Mr. Sullivan, Mr. McAlpine highlighted successes of past partnerships though NACD and the Sebastian County Conservation District and encouraged participation in upcoming grant opportunities through programs such as the Climate Smart Commodities, Technical Assistance, and Urban Ag Conservation.

The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts plays a vital role in empowering agricultural producers to adopt sustainable practices that promote environmental conservation, soil health, and water resource management. Through collaborative partnerships and educational outreach, the AACD ensures that Arkansas's agriculture thrives while protecting the natural resources essential for future generations. By embracing the principles of sustainability, agricultural producers in Arkansas can continue to contribute to the state's prosperity while safeguarding its natural heritage.