Urban & Community Conservation

The Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District (FCSWCD) in Franklin County, New York was awarded an Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Grant through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost technical capacity nationwide. FCSWCD was one of 20…… Continue reading →

The Placer Resource Conservation District in California has been awarded an urban agriculture conservation grant through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost technical capacity nationwide. Placer RCD is among the 20 conservation districts across 14 states who…… Continue reading →

The Prince George’s Soil Conservation District (PGSCD) in Maryland was awarded a 2021 Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Grant through a partnership with the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to boost technical capacity nationwide. PGSCD was one of 20 conservation districts across 14…… Continue reading →

By Ariel Rivers As recently announced, NACD and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation (SMGF) have renewed their ongoing partnership to deliver urban webinars and information on backyard conservation. As part of these efforts, NACD participates in SMGF’s National Partner Network (NPN), a group of 17 organizations with a shared focus on water quality and sustainability across…… Continue reading →

The Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is sharing the world of conservation and urban agriculture with at-risk students in Ohio through a $44,000 NACD Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) grant. Initially, the grant was secured with the plans to conduct monthly hands-on educational visits to seven Head Start classes this spring, as well as…… Continue reading →

By Eric Hansen The 2018 Farm Bill required the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish an Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. In authorizing the Office, Congress recognized that farmers in urban communities may not fully take advantage of USDA’s resources and may need extra focus. USDA recently created this Office within…… Continue reading →

Ohio’s Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is in the early stages of work on a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project that would expand tree planting and landowner education on larger properties. It’s part of a broader effort by the district, with help from government entities, to increase tree canopy in urban areas.…… Continue reading →

By Marissa Phelps In 2019, the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD) located in Central New York was awarded funding through the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Initiative to develop a new program promoting urban agriculture and natural resource conservation. “Fresh Connections: Promoting Urban Agriculture and Natural Resource…… Continue reading →

By NACD Southeast Region Representative Candice Abinanti Strolling along San Antonio, Texas,’ Historic Downtown River Walk,  it can be easy to overlook the infrastructure that keeps the water in the San Antonio River level. After all, San Antonio has a history with flooding. During the 73rd NACD Annual Meeting, the Association of Texas Soil and Water…… Continue reading →

Urban agriculture is a small but growing sector of the agriculture industry. Urban producers face both challenges familiar to any farmer, like accessing land and credit, as well as challenges unique to the urban setting – like soil contamination. The 2018 Farm Bill included several provisions designed to increase urban agricultural production and tackle challenges…… Continue reading →