Delaware NRCS Announces Water Quality Initiative in Clear Brook-Nanticoke Watershed

DOVER, Del., May 8, 2012— State Conservationist Russell Morgan announced the launch of a new Water Quality Initiative committed to improving impaired waterways in Delaware.  USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making $255,000 in financial assistance available to farmers and forest landowners in the Clear Brook-Nanticoke Watershed. 

Application Deadline for USDA Organic Initiative Approaching

DOVER, Del., April 27, 2012—USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Russell Morgan reminds local organic farmers and those transitioning to organic production practices to contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s Organic Initiative.

NRCS Announces Wildlife Conservation Effort to Restore and Protect Bog Turtle Habitat

DOVER, Del., March 27, 2012—USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Russell Morgan recently announced a new partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) in Delaware to help farmers and forest landowners to restore and protect the habitats of bog turtles while also helping other valuable wildlife species.  

Partnership Explores Subsurface Drip Irrigation (SDI) in Delaware

DOVER, Del., March 26, 2012— There have been approximately 500 acres of SDI installed in Delaware, and several times that amount is in the planning stage.  In an effort to help guide Delaware farmers on SDI management systems,  James Adkins, Irrigation Engineer with the University of Delaware’s Carvel  Research and Education Center, is piloting the first SDI research farm in the Delmarva region.  With funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and Vincent Farms, Adkins hopes to have science-based answers for Delaware’s growers.   The project’s goal is to increase grower profitability, improve water quality, and provide efficient management of water resources through SDI.