Urban & Community Conservation

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 →

By NACD Communications Manager Sara Kangas As spring concludes and summer finally arrives, you're likely seeing more critters around your garden hard at work. Today marks the beginning of National Pollinator Week, an annual event to raise awareness of the animals and invertebrates that make our ecosystems function. In addition to graphics on NACD's social…… Continue reading →

Caring for the canopy is a top priority of Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD). With 47 municipalities under its jurisdiction, WNRCD’s efforts have led to a collaboration with the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative (VMC), the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of the Environment (UVM), and the city of Winooski to support the city’s efforts to…… Continue reading →

In partnership with the city of Flint, Mich., Genesee Conservation District (GCD) is bringing urban forests back to a healthy state and educating residents in the process. “One of the best benefits that has come out of this partnership is the response from residents,” GCD senior conservation coordinator Jeffrey Johnson said. “They are excited. The…… Continue reading →

By Susie Kirschner, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District Project manager In 2017, the Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) located in Southern California was awarded funding through the National Association of Conservation Districts' (NACD) Urban Agriculture Conservation (UAC) Initiative to develop a community supported agriculture (CSA) program. The CSA program ensures lower-income residents have access…… Continue reading →