On Friday, August 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). Earlier that week, the U.S. Senate passed the IRA by a vote of 51-50. NACD applauded the bill's inclusion of historic investments to support conservation, improve resilience, and address climate change. The IRA is currently set to be signed into law by President Biden later this afternoon.

“NACD is pleased to see continued support from Congress and the administration in conservation program funding,” said NACD President Michael Crowder. “We applaud this investment in conservation and natural resource management, and we will continue to advocate for support for these programs that are critical to addressing climate change by improving the health of our soils, watersheds, and forests. We look forward to continuing our work with all members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, to bring voluntary conservation and natural resource management to the producers and landowners who benefit from these programs.” 

The IRA includes approximately $18 billion for voluntary conservation programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) between Fiscal Years 2023 and 2026. The bill also prioritizes funding for projects supported by these programs that reduce, capture, or prevent greenhouse gas emissions. The IRA also includes $1 billion for conservation technical assistance, which allows NRCS and conservation districts across the country to help producers and land managers assess resources needs, develop conservation plans, and implement conservation practices.

“This funding represents a great opportunity for conservation districts and their partners to bring natural resource management efforts into practice,” said NACD CEO Jeremy Peters. “Conservation districts are invaluable to the delivery of these programs and their benefits to communities across the country.”

NACD is excited to begin working with our agency partners and members to help districts use this funding to support on-the-ground conservation in communities across the country. In the coming weeks, NACD’s Government Affairs team will be releasing a series of blog posts detailing the conservation provisions in the IRA and sharing opportunities for districts engage. Read the first of these posts here.

The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) is pleased to be accepting nominations for the 2022 Hugh Hammond Bennett Award for Conservation Excellence!

NCPP created the award in 2017 to honor the legacy of Hugh Hammond Bennett by recognizing producers and conservation planners from within the NCPP partnership who have exemplified outstanding service through development and implementation of sound conservation planning and other conservation techniques. Nominations must be submitted by October 1, 2022. Learn more here.

There are only two weeks left to send in nominations for the 2022 NACD Service Awards! This opportunity offers national recognition to individuals and organizations for their outstanding work and leadership in soil and water conservation. Winners will be honored at the 2023 NACD Annual Meeting in New Orleans, LA. All other nominees will receive certificates of recognition for their contributions to conservation.

The Friend of Conservation Award recognizes an individual, business, organization, or agency outside the association for outstanding contributions to the conservation of our nation’s natural resources. Any individual, business, organization, or agency that is not directly associated with conservation districts at the local, state, or national level is eligible to receive this award.

 

The NACD Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual within the association, a conservation district, or a state association that has made significant contributions to the conservation and proper management of our nation’s natural resources. Nominees can be involved with districts or the association at any level, including past NACD officers. Nominations are also accepted for individuals posthumously.

Visit the NACD website to nominate your state and local conservation leaders now through August 31, 2022. To view previous award winners, visit the NACD Awards Archives. If you have any questions please contact awards@email.nacdnet.org.

On August 11-12, the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) held its 85th Annual Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. AACD President Jerry Don Clark greeted a packed room of around 400 attendees to introduce NRCS Chief Terry Cosby, who shared a message of progress in agriculture and the growing need for urban interaction within our communities. He was followed by Senator John Boozman who gave an update on the status of agriculture and policy in Washington. Presentations also included Arkansas NRCS State Conservationist Mike Sullivan on the importance of locally led, voluntary conservation efforts of the state's valued natural resources.

NACD shared with attendees as NACD President Michael Crowder reviewed the steps ahead for the Farm Bill and the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act and the opportunities it brings conservation districts. NACD South Central Region Representative Wesley Gibson presented on the accomplishments in the South Central Region and in Arkansas. Gibson showcased successes and opportunities through programs such as the Technical Assistance Grants, educational resources, and Urban Ag Conservation Grants. He also reviewed NACD's leadership and recognition opportunities available for conservation districts and district board members.

The agenda also included concurrent sessions with topics including succession planning by Rusty Rumley, watershed planning and PL566 programs by Assistant State Conservationist Randy Childress, policy and legal issues in agriculture, and soil health. During Friday's banquet several awards were given out by AACD. Arkansas' dedication to conservation was in full show throughout the meeting.

This past Sunday, NACD President Michael Crowder was interviewed by Agri-Pulse’s Jeff Nalley for this week’s Open Mic Interview.

You can listen to the full episode here.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2023 cohort! Representation from each of the seven NACD regions is the goal, so please, if you have identified a candidate or think you may be one yourself, check out our website to see if NGLI might be the next step in your leadership journey. Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2022.

Register now for NACD's August Urban and Community Conservation webinar to learn from Amy DePierre, Urban Agriculture Outreach Technician for Jefferson Conservation District in Colorado, about their successes growing urban agriculture partnerships through their 2021 UAC Grant.

The district brought together producers, landowners, and agency partners to help identify opportunities, barriers, and actions necessary to create new urban farming operations, and created a toolkit to help guide conversations about urban agriculture.

The Palouse Conservation District (PCD) is hiring a Resource Conservation Program Coordinator to join the team in Pullman, WA. This position assists with the administration and coordination of the PCD Resource Conservation Program. They are responsible for supporting the development and implementation of resource conservation initiatives that promote the role, mission, and goals of the District and its programs. See announcement and full job description here. 

Promote your conservation district or state association's tree sale, annual meeting, webinar, field day, or other events on NACD's Calendar of Events!