JOIN WEBINAR TO LEARN ABOUT NACD'S 2024 OUTREACH AND TA GRANTS

NACD is now accepting proposals for the 2024 Outreach and Technical Assistance Grants (TA2024) program! In partnership with NRCS, NACD anticipates the award of approximately $18 million in conservation operations technical assistance (COTA), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding. The full Request for Proposals is available on the TA2024 webpage.

The TA2024 program aims to enroll new and underserved producers into conservation programs. Eligible organizations will help provide outreach, education, mentoring, and technical assistance that helps farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners make informed decisions on their lands to enhance its sustainability.  

Key Highlights of TA2024: 

• Eligibility: Conservation districts, state associations, and partnering organizations are encouraged to apply. 
• Funding: Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, with amounts varying based on project scope and impact. 
• Focus Areas: Proposals should increase the number of producers who implement conservation plans and practices, improve economic and environmental resilience, and increase opportunities for civic engagement.  
• Application Deadline: Proposals must be submitted by no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2024. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit innovative and impactful project proposals that demonstrate a clear need for technical assistance and a strong potential for positive outcomes. Detailed guidelines and application materials are available on the NACD website.

NACD will host a webinar this Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. ET to provide further details and answer questions on the application process. The webinar will be recorded and available on the program webpage for those who cannot make it. Register for the webinar here.

ICYMI: NACD HOSTED SUMMER MEETING IN BOSTON

Last week, NACD held the 2024 Summer Conservation Forum and Tours in Boston, Massachusetts. Hosted with the NACD Northeast Region Meeting, in partnership with the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts, this summer's meeting gathered nearly 300 conservation leaders from across the country to discuss natural resource concerns and solutions.

Throughout the meeting, attendees heard from conservation leaders who shared their experiences addressing changing natural resource challenges in their regions. Keynote speakers, panelists, workshop presenters, and board members spoke about unleashing the power of partnerships to deliver successful conservation now and in the future.

NACD Summer Meeting attendees also had the opportunity to visit multiple agricultural sites in and around Boston to experience conservation practices in action in the area. Attendees learned about urban agriculture and conservation at three urban conservation sites within Boston, including a community garden and watershed restoration project site. Tours also took attendees to Bristol and Plymouth counties south of Boston, to a vineyard, a high school leading the way in agricultural education, and a cranberry bog implementing a variety of conservation practices.

The meeting culminated in friends and fellowship at a traditional New England clambake. Clambakes originated with coastal Native Americans who taught early settlers how to steam seafood on the shores of New England.

Check out photos in our Flickr album and see the in-depth recap in last week's eResource edition here. Stay tuned for information on how to join us for the 2025 NACD Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah on February 8-12, 2025!

NOMINATION DEADLINE NEARS FOR NACD & NCPP AWARDS

NACD's Annual Awards Program recognizes individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Nominations are now being accepted through August 31 for both NACD 2024 Awards - the Distinguished Service Award and Friend of Conservation Award.

Learn more and download nomination forms on NACD's website.

Award nominations are also being accepted for the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards. Nominations are open through September 1 for the producer and planner HHB awards.

• The producer award recognizes any producer working with NCPP partner organizations on conservation planning or implementation of a conservation plan.
• The conservation planner award recognizes any NCPP partnership employees. Partner organizations are those recognized by NCPP at the national, state, or local level.

More information about the award can be found on NCPP’s website. Nominations must be submitted through this online form.

All 2024 awardees will be recognized at a ceremony held in their honor at NACD's 2025 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT.

JOIN VIRTUAL AGROFORESTRY TRAININGS

In partnership with the USDA Forest Service National Agroforestry Center, NACD is excited to debut virtual agroforestry training sessions for conservation districts and partners!

Demand for trained agroforesters is expected to increase as agroforestry-related Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities projects and Inflation Reduction Act-funded projects are implemented. Two upcoming virtual regional trainings will introduce agroforestry and provide an educational foundation to help conservation districts and partners provide agroforestry technical assistance to landowners. The two trainings will be held on the following dates.



Please join us on:

• August 27, 2024 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. CT for the North Central, Northern Plains, and South Central Regions | Register here
• October 22, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. PT for the Southwest and Pacific Regions | Register here

Questions? Want to attend but can't make it to your region's session? Contact Annica McGuirk, NACD Forestry Program Manager.

This work is made possible by a grant from the USDA Forest Service, National Agroforestry Center, under the authority of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978.