Vermont News Headlines

January 19, 2012 - The USDA NRCS General WREP program is a component of WRP through which NRCS enters into agreements with eligible partners to target and leverage resources to carry out high-priority wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement activities and improve wildlife habitat on eligible lands. All proposals must be received on or before Friday, February 10, 2012.

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July 15, 2011 - The USDA NRCS is accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP). Through WRP, the NRCS will offer payment for restoration of wetlands that have previously been drained and converted to agricultural use. Eligible landowners may receive up to 100% reimbursement of restoration costs to make land suitable for wildlife.

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July 13, 2011 - Do you own large, open areas of hay land and / or pasture? Would you like to receive federal money to pay for the protection, resotration, and enhancement of this land? Applications are being accepted through September 1, 2011 by the USDA-NRCS for the Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) annual funding.

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June 30, 2011 - The Vermont Lake Champlain Basin has recently been identified as a pilot project area for the White House's America's Great Outdoors Initiative. NRCS is devoting $800,000 to improve water quality conservation work in the Vermont Lake Champlain region.

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Learn more about America's Great Outdoors on the Vermont AGO Website

June 5, 2011 - Vermont NRCS employees wanted Regional Conservationist for the East Region, Leonard Jordan, to really see all Vermont has to offer in the few days he had to spend in the state. Since the senior leadership member had not been to Vermont before, it was important for him to leave with a keen sense of why the landscape here is unique, beautiful, and challenging, for both producers and NRCS staff that plan and implement conservation improvements.

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April 2, 2011 - The Farm and Food Summit helped to promote healthy, secure, affordable and locally-grown food within our region, and ensure farmers and agricultural based businesses have reliable and efficient access to local and regional markets. Read more...

May 3, 2011, BENNINGTON - The New England Tropical Conservatory's Greenberg Reserve trails leading to Jewett Brook were an easy walk Sunday, and the new Jewett Crossing Bridge will ensure that the full trail system remains accessible year-round. Read more...

April 25, 2011 - The USDA NRCS is accepting applications for the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) second round of annual funding, April 25 through May 20, 2011. WRP is a voluntary program that offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their property. Functioning wetlands help improve water quality, provide valuable wildlife habitat and offer recreational opportunities. Read more...

April 22, 2011 - The USDA NRCS closed on Monday, April 18, on the first Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) permanent easement in Vermont. In this voluntary program, the USDA will purchase development rights and limit future use of grassland. The atypical nature of this purchase is fitting for a farm with an extraordinary history and an optimistic future. Read more...

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General West Announce Process to Resolve Discrimination Claims of Hispanic and Women Farmers 

February 25, 2011 – As part of continued efforts to close the chapter on allegations that discrimination occurred at USDA in past decades, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Assistant Attorney General Tony West today announced the establishment of a process to resolve the claims of Hispanic and women farmers and ranchers who assert that they were discriminated against when seeking USDA farm loans. Read more...

en Espanol (http://www.usda.gov/documents/Comunicado_No_0085.11sp.pdf) - Secretario de Agricultura Vilsack y Fiscal General Adjunto West Anuncian Proceso para Resolver Reclamaciones de Discriminación contra Agricultores Hispanos y Mujeres Agricultoras