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Media Contact: Diane Baedeker Petit, Public Affairs Officer, 413-253-4371, diane.petit@ma.usda.gov.

Latest Headlines:

Forestry demonstration event to be held Saturday, July 11 in Greenfield

AMHERST, MA (June 23, 2009) -- A free public informational event and field walk showcasing forest stewardship and conservation practices eligible for technical and financial assistance through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will be held on Saturday, July 11, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, at the Griswold/GTD Conservation Area on Lampblack Road in Greenfield.

USDA extends sign-up for new organic initiative in Massachusetts

AMHERST, Mass. (May 21, 2009) — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the sign-up period for Massachusetts organic farmers and those in transition to organic production to apply for technical and financial assistance under a new federal initiative. Massachusetts farmers may now apply through June 12th.

Finalists and top teams named in 2009 Massachusetts Envirothon

Teams from Bedford High School, Lexington High School, Newton North High School and Tantasqua Regional High School have been named as finalists in the 22nd annual Massachusetts Envirothon field competition held at the Doyle Reservation in Leominster, Mass. on May 13th and 14th. The four teams will now go on to compete in the final competition on Saturday, May 30th at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

USDA announces new organic initiative

USDA organic logo AMHERST, Mass. (May 8, 2009) — Local organic farmers and those in transition to organic production can sign-up for technical and financial assistance under a new federal initiative administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). More than $308,000 in funding is available in Massachusetts through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The sign-up period for this special initiative is now through May 29th.

Learn about grazing at Mass Grass events

(May 8, 2009) -- Local farmers and anyone interested in learning about grazing livestock are invited to attend a series of educational events this summer and fall hosted by Mass Grass, a state-wide grazing group of Massachusetts livestock farmers, leaders and educators from agricultural organizations, including the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, the Northeast Organic Farming Association/Massachusetts Chapter, UMass Extension and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

“Open Forest” Land Stewardship Demonstration Event to be held in Plymouth

(May 8, 2009) -- A free informational event showcasing forest stewardship and conservation practices will be held on Saturday, May 16, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Raymond Farm, 179 Roxy Cahoon Road, in Plymouth. Forest landowners and managers are invited to visit and learn about financial and technical assistance now available for forest management planning and practices through the federal Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP), both programs of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Sign-up extended for 2008 Farm Bill conservation programs in Massachusetts

AMHERST, Mass. (April 22, 2009) — The sign-up period has been extended for federal conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill (the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008) in Massachusetts. Applications may be submitted at any time, but May 15, 2009 is the cut-off date for the first round of application ranking and funding this year.

Air quality and energy assistance available through EQIP

AMHERST, Mass. (April 22, 2009) -- NRCS in Massachusetts is now offering energy efficiency/renewable energy assistance as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Air Quality Initiative. Through the initiative, NRCS is working to help farmers with conservation practices that improve air quality. Many of the air quality practices also provide energy efficiency and renewable energy benefits. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2009. Contact your local NRCS field office for more information.

Conservation professionals: register now to become an NRCS technical service provider

AMHERST, Mass. (April 22, 2009) -- Individuals, private businesses, nonprofit organizations and public agencies who provide conservation-related services to farmers and other landowners are encouraged to register now to become an NRCS technical service provider (TSP). TSPs are professionals who are certified by NRCS to provide landowners with convenient access to quality professional one-on-one technical services.

Volunteers needed for the 2009 Massachusetts Envirothon

AMHERST, Mass. (April 22, 2009) -- More than 300 Bay State high school students from nearly 50 public and private schools across the commonwealth are expected to compete in the 22nd annual Massachusetts Envirothon on Wednesday, May 13 and Thursday, May 14 at the Trustees of Reservations’ Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster. As many as 100 volunteers are needed each day to coordinate all the details of this event.

Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar Photo Contest returns

(April 22, 2009) Amateur photographers who enjoy capturing local rural scenes, farm animals and fresh produce are invited to enter the Massachusetts Agriculture Photo Contest sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. Winning photos will be featured in the 2010 Massachusetts Agriculture Calendar.

Northborough and Westborough dams to be upgraded with Recovery Act funding

AMHERST, Mass. (April 10, 2009) — Massachusetts is one of 11 states that will receive a share of $45 million in funding to rehabilitate aging flood control structures nationwide announced recently by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Funding is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and is part of the Obama Administration’s plans to modernize the nation's infrastructure, jumpstart the economy and create jobs.

Massachusetts state and local governments, nongovernmental organizations and tribes may apply for federal farmland protection program

AMHERST, MA (March 31, 2009) – The Massachusetts state office of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications from state and local units of government, federally recognized Tribes, and non-governmental organizations for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). FRPP provides up to 50 percent matching funding for the purchase of conservation easements on agricultural lands.

Sign-up period extended for Massachusetts landowners to restore and protect flood-prone lands with Economic Recovery funds

(March 27, 2009) – The deadline has been extended for Massachusetts landowners with land in flood-prone areas to apply for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Eligible landowners can sign up for floodplain easements through April 10, 2009 at their local USDA Service Center.

Workshops planned for Mass. farmers and forest land owners to learn about federal conservation programs

(March 17, 2009) -- Six Massachusetts conservation districts will host informational workshops on federal conservation programs available through the 2008 Farm Bill. Local farmers, forest land owners and other interested parties are invited to attend the workshops, which will be held in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Economic Recovery funding available to Massachusetts landowners to restore and protect flood-prone lands

AMHERST, Mass. (March 13, 2009) – Massachusetts landowners with land in flood-prone areas may apply for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS will provide up to $145 million nationwide to eligible landowners through the floodplain easement component of its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program. The funds will be used to restore an estimated 60,000 acres of frequently flooded land in the U.S. to its natural state and create jobs. Eligible landowners can sign up for these easements through March 27, 2009 at their local USDA Service Center.

Farmland and forest land owners: start planning now for conservation needs

$13 million in federal assistance is available in Massachusetts through 2008 Farm Bill

AMHERST, MA (February 25, 2009) — Sign-up is underway for federal conservation programs under the 2008 Farm Bill and in order to participate, a conservation plan is essential. Anyone who owns or manages farmland or forest land in Massachusetts and would like technical or financial assistance to protect their natural resources is urged to contact their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office soon to begin the planning process. Applications for Farm Bill conservation programs may be submitted at any time, but May 1, 2009 is the cut-off date for the first round of ranking and funding in Massachusetts.

Public meeting slated for proposed upgrade of George H. Nichols Dam, Westborough

AMHERST, Mass. (February 4, 2009) – Westborough residents and other interested parties are invited to a public meeting on UThursday, February 19, 2009, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, in the Forbes Municipal Building, Room 23, 45 West Main Street, WestboroughU, to discuss a proposed project to upgrade the George H. Nichols Dam on the Assabet River. The dam forms the Westborough Reservoir off Mill Road in Westborough.

Massachusetts news release index...

Last modified: 06/24/2009