In the past week, the Trump Administration issued dozens of executive orders, proclamations, memos, and revoked 78 of the prior administration’s initiatives. Several of these actions may potentially impact conservation programs, grants, and NACD priorities related to our country’s conservation delivery system. Yesterday, the Office of Management and Budget released a memo directing a temporary pause (to the extent applicable under law) of the obligation or disbursement of all federal financial assistance while a review is conducted. Many of these actions will face legal challenges, which could result in their suspension or revocation. Several–including Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Bill funding freezes–cannot be extended indefinitely without congressional approval.

NACD is working closely with federal agencies to track these developments and understand their impact on the work of conservation districts. NACD has shared guidance with grant recipients and is currently working to update that guidance, in addition to developing guidance for our broader membership. Please note that this is a very fluid situation, and the impacts of these recent actions are still unclear. USDA and additional agencies are working to interpret and implement these orders and will share guidance as soon as possible. Please continue to reach out to our team with questions.

Congressional Update:

This past Thursday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Brooke Rollins to serve as USDA Secretary. Rollins highlighted quickly distributing recently authorized disaster and economic aid, supporting the broader farm economy, and containing animal disease outbreaks as among her top priorities. Chairman Boozman and Ranking Member Klobuchar both noted the importance of locally led conservation. Agriculture labor, trade policy, nutrition programs, industry consolidation, renewable fuels, and forestry management were among other priorities raised by committee members. Lawmakers signaled broad bipartisan support for Rollins, and the committee will meet again to vote on her nomination before it is considered by the full Senate. 

Read the full congressional update, covering committee nominations, legislative priorities, and more on NACD's blog.

APPLY FOR URBAN GRANTS

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

We are again accepting applications for up to $75,000 to support projects that promote the delivery of conservation technical assistance in urban and community-oriented settings, including projects that serve rural populations. See the full RFP online, with applications due April 1, 2025, by 11:59 p.m. PT.  

With over 200 example projects already completed or active in 40 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, the Hood River SWCD in Oregon is providing pesticide safety education to Spanish-speaking farmworkers. Likewise, Racine County in Wisconsin is using its grant to install a micro-nursery and vegetable garden within a secured youth detention center.  

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.  

Questions related to the UAC grant may be directed to Rachel Theler.  

LAST CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THE NCF LIVE AUCTION

During the 2025 NACD Annual Meeting, NACD's sister organization, the National Conservation Foundation (NCF), will host their Live Auction on February 10, 2025. Auction proceeds directly fund NCF's conservation education programs, NCF-Envirothon and Next Generation Leadership Institute, which prepare students and adults to be the next natural resource protectors and professionals.

Individuals, conservation districts, and state associations are encouraged to donate unique items for the NCF Auction. Items can feature local artists, a special product made only in your state or territory, or interesting items with a conservation theme. Popular items have included pottery, jewelry, and “made in” agriculture products.

All items submitted on NCF's website by January 31, 2025, will be featured in the digital Auction Catalog. Auction items will be accepted onsite at the Conservation Showcase on Sunday, February 9, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Monday February 10, from 7 a.m. - 10 a.m.

FRENCH RANCH FARMS AND HUMBOLDT RCD GROW FORWARD WITH TA GRANTS

Maurie Hobbs is the fourth generation in her family to work on the French Ranch in Humboldt County, California. It was her great grandparents’ homestead, and when the management was passed to her and her husband, Marty, they weren’t exactly sure what their first steps should be to create the future they wanted on the land. Growing up on the ranch, Maurie knew the ins and outs of cattle raising, grazing, and day-to-day operations, but she still had some questions about where to go from there.

“We weren’t really sure in the sense of where we were and where we wanted to go. We have dreams. We have ideas,” said Hobbs.

These ideas ultimately led her to the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (RCD). There, Agricultural Enhancement Program Manager Jake Taulbee helps producers like the Hobbs track field measurements to assess soil health, plan various conservation efforts to improve soil quality and operation efficiencies, and navigate and apply for funding from federal, state, and local programs.

For several years, Taulbee and the Humboldt County RCD have leveraged NACD’s Technical Assistance (TA) Grants to help producers like the Hobbs. This funding has enabled the district to put more boots on the ground, provide conservation technical assistance to their county’s producers and land stewards, and increase the number of conservation plans in their community.

Perhaps most importantly, the TA grant funding gave the Humboldt County RCD the bandwidth to meet producers where they are and cater to their needs. The district was able to adapt conservation plans to adhere to NRCS policies so that producers had a smoother transition from planning to implementation, making it easier to pursue other NRCS programs in the future. This was something the Hobbs found especially helpful after starting with a Carbon Farm Plan on their operation.

After enjoying the collaboration with Taulbee and finding benefits in the Carbon Farm Plan, the Hobbs, with the help of the district, began to experiment with other regenerative agriculture practices. French Ranch Farms is in a mountainous area where the landscape can be difficult to navigate and implement specific best management practices (BMPs). Riparian exclusion fencing, rotating grains, cover crops, no-till or reduced tillage, and prescribed burns are just a few methods they are trying to find systems that work for their land and goals.

It’s this flexibility and specificity that has helped the relationship between French Ranch Farms, the Humboldt County RCD, and NRCS flourish. As true thought partners, they’ve been able to exchange ideas that benefit the Hobbs’ operation and other producers passionate about agriculture and natural resources conservation.

Read the full story on NACD's blog.