Statewide Conservation Innovation Grant Pre-Proposals Due Feb 24
 

Up to one hundred and sixty thousand dollars ($160,000) will be available through the Alaska Statewide CIG program to stimulate innovative approaches to conservation measures in conjunction with Alaska’s agricultural and subsistence practices. “NRCS is seeking grant applications from farmers, ranchers, tribes, individuals, and conservation partners to address Alaska’s unique natural resource challenges through innovative approaches and models of best management practices,” said Alaska State Conservationist Robert Jones.

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Regional Tribal Conservation Advisory Council Solicits Members
 

Are you interested in conservation? Are you a member of a federally recognized tribe? Do you want to want to have a say about USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service policy? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then the USDA’s Regional Tribal Conservation Advisory Council wants to hear from you.

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High Tunnels
 

High tunnels, also known as hoophouses, can help extend the growing season by providing protection to plants early and late in the season and also expand the availability of healthy, locally grown food benefiting both producers and consumers.

High tunnels, different from greenhouses, are passively heated by the sun, have lower energy costs than greenhouses, and are cooled by manual ventilation. Plants grown in high tunnels are grown in the natural soil profile or in raised beds. NRCS can provide financial assistance to fund up to 1/20 of an acre or 2,178 square feet of high tunnel.

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USDA Notice to Women and/or Hispanic Farmers and Ranchers
 

If you are a woman or Hispanic farmer and believe you were improperly denied farm loan benefits by USDA between 1981 and 2000, you may be eligible for compensation. Earlier this year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans.

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