USDA allocates funds for land conservation

Sep 02, 2024
By Farms.com

New opportunities in farmland and wetland preservation

The USDA has announced available funding for its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, which provides financial support for the preservation of farmlands and the restoration of wetlands. This effort is part of a strategic move to maintain agricultural productivity while enhancing environmental conditions.

Interested parties, including local governments and American Indian tribes, can apply for Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) to secure land for agricultural purposes permanently.

Additionally, Wetland Reserve Easements (WRE) are available to restore and protect former wetlands, offering benefits like improved water quality and wildlife habitat.

Applications must be submitted by October 4, 2024, for funding consideration this year. The program underscores the USDA’s commitment to sustainable land use and environmental stewardship, backed by the Inflation Reduction Act.

Through these easements, landowners can ensure their lands contribute to ecological health while maintaining their rights to manage and enjoy their property.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.