Entries by Tracy Mumma

California Research Explores Interaction Between Birds, Fish, and Flooded Rice Fields

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Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are studying the impact of water birds and fish on flooded rice fields. Rice fields are flooded to degrade the rice straw so that the field can be replanted. This flooding creates important habitat for water birds and can provide habitat for fish, as well. Researchers are testing […]

Leopold Conservation Award Now Offered in Mississippi

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The Leopold Conservation Award is now offered in Mississippi. This prestigious award, given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, award celebrates voluntary conservation efforts on farms, ranches, and forestland by recognizing landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. Sand County Foundation and national sponsor, American Farmland Trust, present Leopold Conservation Awards […]

Organic Association of Kentucky Invites Conference Speaker Proposals

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The Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) seeks proposals for engaging sessions and workshops for its annual conference, relevant to Kentucky’s organic and regenerative agriculture community. Submissions are open now through July 19, 2024. The 14th Annual Farming Conference will be held January 23-25, 2025, in Frankfort, Kentucky, with the theme “Grounded in Organics: From Soil […]

Study Finds Regenerative Agriculture Benefits Farmer Quality of Life

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Researchers at Dartmouth University published a study in the journal Agriculture and Human Values in which they found that farmers’ motivations for adopting regenerative agriculture were not entirely monetary. The researchers noted that farmer enrollment in carbon credit programs lags behind adoption of regenerative practices. Farmer surveys in Kansas and Nebraska suggested that carbon market […]

USDA Expanding Crop Insurance Options for Specialty and Organic Growers

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USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that it is expanding crop insurance options for specialty and organic growers by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. These updates, which are detailed online, are effective beginning with the 2025 crop year. RMA is continuing […]

Survey Assessing Assistive Needs of New York Farmer Veterans

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The Cornell Small Farms Program project for veterans in agriculture, Farm Ops, is working with the NY Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) to identify assistive needs for farmer veterans with impairments that affect their daily work. The information gathered through the 10-minute survey will help allocate and obtain funding and assistance to support […]

Composting and Food Waste Reduction Pilot Project

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Applications must be received by September 4, 2024. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, under the Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production, is soliciting proposals from eligible applicants to host a Composting and Food Waste Reduction pilot project. This program provides financial assistance to municipalities, school districts, counties, local governments, special district governments, tribal governments, […]

NIFA Announces Sustainable Agricultural Systems Program Grant Recipients

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The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced an investment of $70 million through the the Sustainable Agricultural Systems program area of NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The funding will support seven coordinated agricultural projects, which are larger-scale and longer-term investments that integrate research, education and Extension efforts to transform the U.S. […]

USDA Seeks Information on Biofuel Feedstock Production Using Climate-Smart Practices

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USDA is seeking information from the public on procedures for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the effect of climate-smart farming practices on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with U.S.-grown biofuel feedstock crops. This input will help in establishing voluntary standards for biofuel feedstocks grown with practices that mitigate GHG emissions and/or sequester soil carbon. USDA […]

Colorado Supports Producers’ Non-Lethal Predator Deterrent Efforts

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The Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) are providing additional funding of $28,000 to the Middle Park Stockgrowers Association to continue supporting their community efforts of on-the-ground non-lethal predator deterrents. The funding will help producers implement non-lethal controls such as night range riders and fladry. In addition, CPW has added five […]