NRCS Expands Targeted Investment to Combat Climate Change

DAVIS, Calif., May 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is committing $4.3 million to help farmers and ranchers mitigate the effects of climate change.  The agency has identified more than a dozen conservation practices that farmers can choose from that will help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"NRCS continues to be an instrumental partner in helping the agricultural community do its part to reduce climate change," said Carlos Suarez, NRCS California state conservationist. "We will continue to promote and refine our conservation practices to help farmers and ranchers make the landscape healthier and more sustainable."  

Annually, NRCS invests more than $100 million in California alone helping farmers and ranchers implement more than 100 conservation measures to make their properties productive and sustainable. The process starts with a free conservation plan that outlines conservation objectives and recommended practices allowing landowners to decide how best to address the resources concerns on their land.

The $4.3 million will be invested in helping customers install conservation practices for soil health, nitrogen management, livestock management, energy efficiency, and forest health. While the available practices are traditionally used to protect natural resources like soil, water, and air, the conservation measures have also proven effective in sequestering carbon.

NRCS has partnered with Colorado State University to launch the online tool COMET-Farm http://cometfarm.nrel.colostate.edu. The tool helps quantify how conservation can contribute to sequestering carbon and fighting climate change on cropland, forestland and rangeland.

Continuing through the end of the 2016 fiscal year, NRCS will process applications to ensure that approved conservation practices are funded through this targeted funding pool. Customers who are interested in finding out more about what they can do to combat climate change are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center.

Since its inception in 1935, NRCS has worked in partnership with private landowners and a variety of local, state and federal conservation partners to deliver conservation based on specific, local needs. Please visit www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov for more information about NRCS.

SOURCE USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service