WASHINGTON, March 9, 2023 – With severe storms forecast for northern and central California, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is reminding communities in the region to prepare and to be aware of USDA programs to assist following flooding and other disasters. Food Safety GuidanceSevere weather forecasts often present the possibility of power outages or […]
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS California’s Conservation Funding Assistance Deadline Fast Approaching
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California announced Fiscal Year 2023 (October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023) Farm Bill assistance opportunities for agricultural producers, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). While NRCS accepts applications for these programs year-round, interested applicants should apply no later than December 9, 2022, for […]
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS California Offers Drought Assistance; Identifies High Priority Areas
In the middle of California’s drought, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is meeting with landowners, Tribal representatives, and agencies to assess resource concerns and offer assistance to farmers and ranchers, as well as, forest and Tribal land managers. Programs through NRCS include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the newest pilot program, EQIP-Conservation […]
Posted inCalifornia
Conservation on California’s Farms, Ranches Amid Challenging Year
DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 21, 2020 – The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) continued its conservation work across California despite a tough 2020 marked with a pandemic and natural disasters. The agency helped farmers, ranchers and forest landowners implement conservation practices on their working lands, which help conserve natural resources such as soil, water, and […]
Posted inRegional
USDA Service Centers Open for Business by Phone Appointment Only
DAVIS, Calif., March 24, 2020 — USDA Service Centers in California will continue to be open for business by phone appointment only and field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. While our program delivery staff will continue to come into the office, they will be working with our producers by phone, and using online […]
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS Offers California Producers Assistance to Improve Air Quality
DAVIS, Calif., February 24, 2020 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing technical and financial assistance to help farmers and ranchers in California make improvements in their operations that can lead to improved air quality. Assistance is being made available through NRCS’ Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), National Air Quality Initiative (NAQI). The […]
Posted inRegional
USDA Announces New District Conservationist in Placer County
AUBURN, Calif., April 1, 2019 — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Robbins as the new district conservationist at the NRCS field office in Auburn, California, which serves all of Placer County. Robbins has been with the NRCS for 5 years. He started working in Auburn in […]
Posted inRegional
Assistance Available for California Producers to Aid Declining Monarch Butterfly
DAVIS, Calif., February 1, 2019 – California agricultural producers can voluntarily help the monarch butterfly on their farms and ranches through a variety of conservation practices offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This assistance comes at a critical time as recent reports show the western population of the monarch butterfly is at an […]
Posted inCalifornia
USDA Invests in $650,000 in Local Watershed Project to Protect Communities and Vital Infrastructure
DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 4, 2018 – USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will invest $650,000 in a new California project that aims to develop a watershed work plan in the Lower Deer Creek Watershed in Tulare County. The NRCS approved plan will evaluate surface and groundwater resources and develop alternatives for any identified resource concerns. […]
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS Partners in California Receive $1.3 Million for Conservation Innovations
DAVIS, Calif., August 3, 2018 – Two California organizations, and one national organization, have been selected to receive a combined $1.3 million through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) nationally-awarded Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). All three projects support soil health innovations. “These grants will help spur creativity and problem-solving on California’s farms and ranches,” […]
Posted inCalifornia
Tiny Mariposa Conservation Office Gets Award for Extraordinary Work in Tree Mortality Crisis and Wildfires
DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 16, 2017 – The Mariposa office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Mariposa Resource Conservation District (MRCD) outcompeted dozens of projects from larger offices across California and will receive the Outstanding Conservation Planning Team Award for 2017. The NRCS/MRCD team is being recognized for helping more than 270 […]
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS Fire-Recovery Programs Continue in California
DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 7, 2017 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is continuing to offer assistance to landowners affected by recent catastrophic wildfires. The assistance, provided through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) covers erosion control and water quality practices on eligible cropland, rangeland and nonindustrial private forestland. Typical practices include mulching, […]
Posted inCalifornia
USDA Offers Opportunities to Help California Producers Rebuild and Recover; Assessments Underway
DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 20, 2017 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is targeting $4 million to help farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners in California recover from the recent wildfires. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will issue waivers for those interested in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to enable recovery work to […]
Posted inCalifornia
Farmers & Conservation Experts Celebrate Five Years of Helping Tricolored Blackbirds
DAVIS, Calif., August 11, 2017 – In 2017 farmers with rare Tricolored Blackbirds nesting in their fields have again aided the birds’ survival. By delaying silage harvest, the farmers allowed the birds sufficient time to fledge their young. Working with the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Audubon California, Western United Dairymen, Dairy Cares, California […]
Posted inRegional
NRCS California Offers Post-Flood Assistance; Assessments Underway
DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 25, 2017 – In the wake of recent California flooding, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is meeting with landowners and other agencies to assess damages and offer technical and financial assistance where possible. Assistance programs through NRCS include the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) and the Environmental Quality […]
Posted inCalifornia
USDA Easement Investments Benefit California Agriculture and Resources
DAVIS, Calif., Jan. 19, 2017 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California successfully finalized 18 new easements in 2016 protecting a total of 10,758 acres of farmland, ranchland, and wetland throughout the state. These voluntary easements were funded with a combination of partner investments and NRCS easement programs dollars. “NRCS conservation easements provide […]
Posted inCalifornia
California Forests, Air, Wildlife and More Benefit from $88 Million EQIP Investment
DAVIS, Calif., Oct. 20, 2016 – California’s agricultural landscape received a healthy boost of conservation in fiscal year 2016. Over 1,900 farmers and ranchers teamed with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and partners to voluntarily invest time and money in protecting soil, water, air, plants and wildlife habitat. Conservation planning and funding was provided […]
Posted inRegional
NRCS Selects New District Conservationist in Yuba City
YUBA CITY, Calif., Oct. 11, 2016 – The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) California State Office has selected RaeAnn Dubay as the district conservationist for the Yuba City field office. The Yuba City office provides technical assistance and conservation-related Farm Bill funding to farmers and ranchers in Sutter and Yuba counties. Dubay has worked […]
Posted inCalifornia
NRCS and Ducks Unlimited extend deadline for Regional Conservation Partnership Program
RED BLUFF, Calif., September 19, 2016 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for California landowners in 10 Central Valley counties to apply for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) – Rice Stewardship Partnership, sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, Inc. in partnership with USA Rice Federation. Other local partners include the California Rice […]