USDA Awards Ducks Unlimited and Partners $95M for Ag Conservation Efforts
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced major investments in delivering voluntary and incentive-based conservation practices, including an estimated $95 million for projects involving Ducks Unlimited, which will be used to impact nearly 55,000 acres of agricultural working lands.
At the top of the project list is a nearly $13 million grant to protect California’s Central Valley rice lands for migratory waterfowl. The project aims to secure long-term protection of 4,000+ acres of winter-flooded rice lands in the Sacramento Valley.
This project is part of the USA Rice-Ducks Unlimited Rice Stewardship Partnership, which has a mission to conserve working ricelands, water, and wildlife. The partnership promotes innovative practices to improve conservation, production, and sustainability measures.
The grants are awarded under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which incentivizes a voluntary, partnership-driven approach to conservation on working agricultural lands.
“The agricultural impact of these projects is significant, but they also make a lasting contribution to the long-term sustainability of our land,” said Dr. Karen Waldrop, DU chief conservation officer.
The funding is part of a $1.5 billion investment by USDA in voluntary conservation practices on agricultural landscapes, which support habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife, offer additional revenue streams for farmers and ranchers, and provide a host of ecosystem services.
— Parker Williams, Ducks Unlimited
EPA Releases Pesticide and Endangered Species Educational Resources Toolbox
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released an online toolbox with educational materials related to pesticides and endangered species — another step in the agency’s efforts to protect endangered species, support farmers, and provide critical environmental protections for communities across the country.
When EPA registers a pesticide or reevaluates it in registration review, the agency has a responsibility under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to ensure that the use of the pesticide does not jeopardize the continued existence of federally threatened or endangered (listed) species or adversely modify their designated critical habitats.
EPA developed the materials in this toolbox for a variety of stakeholders who may have differing levels of knowledge about EPA’s efforts to protect listed species. For example, crop consultants, retailers, Extension agents, and others, may use these materials to educate growers and applicators on the ESA strategies or mitigation measures they may see on product labels.
This initial release of the toolbox primarily consolidates existing materials from various locations on EPA’s website into one location. EPA has also included a new one-page handout on Bulletins Live! Two that explains what Bulletins are, why users need to know about Bulletins, and how to find them on Bulletins Live! Two.
EPA will continue adding new materials to the toolbox as they are developed.
Visit the toolbox at https://www.epa.gov/endangered-species/pesticides-and-endangered-species-educational-resources-toolbox.
New Staff Joins USA Rice Domestic Promotions Team
Morgan Crafton has joined USA Rice as the new domestic promotions coordinator.
An Alabama native, Morgan graduated from Auburn University with a professional writing degree and has done extensive work in project management, instructional design, and program coordination. She spent summers in Northern Virginia growing up and was able to move to the area in 2023.
Morgan spent the summer of 2024 working with the American Sugar Alliance as a special projects consultant. During her time with ASA, she researched and analyzed foreign agriculture reports for relevant subsidies and government market interventions within the sugar industry and developed a digital database for ASA’s archived press and media releases. Morgan’s time with ASA concluded with the Sugar Symposium in Seattle.
“We are excited to have Morgan join the USA Rice team,” said Cameron Jacobs, vice president of domestic promotion. “With her past experience at the American Sugar Alliance and background in writing, I have no doubt that she will be a valuable addition to the domestic promotion team and will help the Federation meet its promotional goals in the domestic market.”
When she’s not working, she likes to spend her time enjoying the countless nature trails weaving throughout the DMV, pursuing her own writing endeavors, and cheering on her favorite soccer teams. Morgan is excited to be on board at USA Rice and is looking forward to working with great people in this exceptional industry.
— Deborah Willenborg, USA Rice
National Ag Law Center Sets Dates for 2025 Conferences
The National Agricultural Law Center has set the 2025 dates for its conferences providing agricultural and environmental insights for attorneys and those in the industry.
The Mid-South Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference, which is now in its 12th year, will be held June 5-6 at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in Memphis, Tennessee. The Western Water, Ag, and Environmental Law Conference, now in its third year, will be held June 19-20 at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino in Reno, Nevada. Both conferences will also have livestream options.
“These conferences are great networking and learning opportunities,” Harrison Pittman, director of the National Ag Law Center said. “Both have a unique blend of leading experts who deliver practical, relevant information to attorneys, students and other ag industry professionals in attendance.”
Both conferences offer continuing legal education credit, as well as continuing education from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Pittman emphasized that NALC conferences feature information that is useful to both attorneys and non-attorneys alike.
Conference registration will open in January. Updates can be found online on the NALC’s website, as well as X, Facebook, and LinkedIn..