Agricultural News

Agrivoltaics

3 factors to keep in mind when considering Agrivoltaics

Put simply, Agrivoltaics is the practice of combining agriculture with solar energy production. Or in other words Agrivoltaics is the co-location of solar panels and some sort of agricultural practice beneath or sometimes between rows of the panels. It has gained widespread attention and is becoming very popular, especially in more rural areas for its potential benefits, but there are also several factors to think about.

How Solar Vegetation Can Revitalize Rural Communities and Agriculture - Sheep-Friendly Solar Vegetation Plantings 

How Solar Vegetation Can Revitalize Rural Communities and Agriculture – Sheep-Friendly Solar Vegetation Plantings

The marriage of renewable energy production and agricultural practices, known as agrivoltaics, has introduced yet another groundbreaking concept – sheep-friendly solar vegetation plantings. This approach involves integrating solar panels with carefully selected vegetation that is conducive to grazing by sheep. This strategy not only optimizes land use but also offers a range of benefits for …

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Wetland Conservation

More than $146 Million for Wetland Conservation Projects and National Wildlife Refuges from the U.S. Department of the Interior

This year the US Department of the Interior has granted over $50 million for conservation projects and wildlife refuges, which will be matched by partners and amounts to over $146 million. This will help either conserve or restore over 240 thousand acres (about the area of San Antonio, Texas!) of wetland and upland.

What is the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program

What is the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program?

Developed by the USDA as a part of CRP, the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program is a federally funded initiative designed to preserve grasslands across the country. Specifically, the program was established to ensure that environmentally sensitive grassland, or other land of significant value, is conserved rather than farmed.   In 2022, over 3.1 million acres of …

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CRP Land Wildflowers

CRP Signup Starts Feb. 27th – April 7th 2023

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced recently that agricultural producers and private landowners can begin applying for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General signup starting February 27 through April 7, 2023. What is the CRP? The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps agricultural producers …

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The Agricultural Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict - Man in wheat field

The Agricultural Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict

As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues into 2023, the effects on the agricultural industry are daunting. Along with the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, the global economy and food supply have taken a major hit. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most significant agricultural consequences, as well as ways …

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What's New in Illinois CREP in 2022

What’s New in CREP for Illinois Landowners in 2022

In 2022, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) returned to the state of Illinois. As part of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), CREP identifies the highest-priority conservation goals in the state. From there, participants are provided with federal and non-federal funds to carry out Conservation Practices (CPs) to fulfill those goals. Since 2015, enrollment in …

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Restoration Bioproducts New Biochar Plant

Restoration Bioproducts Announces New Biochar Plant

In August 2022, bioenergy producer Restoration Bioproducts announced plans to build the first-ever biochar production facility in Sussex County, Virginia. With an investment of $5.8 million, the company will be creating a number of new jobs and buying over 34,000 tons of wood products grown within the state. By establishing this new facility, biochar and …

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FDCE Awarded USDA Funding for RCPP

FDCE Awarded USDA Funding Through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)

The USDA recently announced a $197 million investment in local conservation projects through the partner-driven Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). We’re proud to announce that FDCE was one of the recipients of this award and can’t wait to get started with our RCPP project. With the goal of advancing new, innovative conservation projects including efforts …

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Illinois Conservation Reserve Program CREP - FDCE

What is the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)?

On June 14, 2022, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced the return of the Illinois Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The restoration of this incentive-based program provides an excellent opportunity for Illinois farmers to take advantage of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) benefits on their land. While …

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