Seeking solutions to natural resource challenges while improving agricultural operations, the USDA's NRCS has opened up applications for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. This year, funded CIGs will focus on climate-smart strategies for water resources, soil health, nutrient management, grazing lands conservation and strategies to increase conservation adoption.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced September 19, 2018, that funding is available to producers in select Wisconsin counties who experienced forest and agricultural land damage due to recent severe weather. 

Researchers at UW–Madison, Iowa State University and the Rodale Institute are embarking on a new project to assess current technologies that could be used in no-till organic systems to better help farmers control weeds while preserving soil health.

On August 10th, the USDA released its first estimates of 2012 corn and soybean yields on a state level, and as one would expect, many states are projected to have poor yields.