NRCS program news roundup
iGreetings. As the Land Trust Alliance's new manager for Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, I've been getting up to speed on our Farm Bill work and coordinating with NRCS on work to strengthen Agricultural Land Easement Program participation. I wanted to pass along a few updates as we close out 2020 and head into the new year.
The Alliance's government relations team continues to monitor implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill and keep Congress informed of implementation progress. In October, NRCS issued the Conservation Stewardship Program final rule. (At this link you can view an NRCS webinar on the final rule.) NRCS also released the final rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Click here for the NRCS announcement and here for the full final rule. We are closely monitoring the anticipated release of two additional final rules: one for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program and one for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Both are expected in early 2021. We will be sure to keep you posted.
Our team is also gearing up for the 2023 Farm Bill by holding discussions about potential policy recommendations. Watch for more on this front as those recommendations are fleshed out. Meanwhile, please know we are gathering examples of ALE projects — both completed and potential — that would help bolster the case for strong funding of the program. If you have ideas for Farm Bill policy recommendations or any examples to pass along of great ALE projects, please send them to me at nnesbary@lta.org.
By the way, as you look ahead at your 2021 calendar, please save two dates for a couple of free NRCS webinars. On Feb. 9, there will be a webinar about program agreements and ALE updates. And on March 11, look for a webinar on "Buy-Protect-Sell." More info will be shared about how to join these webinars as we get closer to those dates.
Lastly, I wanted to address that my colleagues and I have heard from folks on the ground that Adjusted Gross Income eligibility processing is taking longer. The COVID pandemic impacted everything including the ability to process AGI eligibility requests in a timely manner. For land trusts planning to submit ALE project applications in the coming year, be sure to encourage partnering landowners to get started on AGI certification and verification as soon as possible. For more information, click here for a copy of the Farm Service Agency AGI Fact sheet.
Stay well, take care and have a restful holiday season.
Nikki Nesbary is manager of NRCS programs for the Land Trust Alliance.