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Agricultural Conservation Links

Agencies and organizations

US Dept. of Agriculture, the USDA
(wealth of information for programs, data, information sources: national, state, local)

USDA Farm Service Agency
(aerial photos, commodity/disaster/energy/loan programs; links to state then county offices; conservation programs:  Conservation Reserve ProgramConservation Reserve Enhancement Program Emergency Conservation Program Farmable Wetlands Program Grassland Reserve Program Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Reports and Statistics Source Water Protection Program Transition Incentives Program)

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
(links to states and local/county service centers; links to major program areas (Programs and Services list many conservation programs including those under the Farm Bill:
Programs & Services Technical Resources Land Use Soils Water Air Plants & Animals Energy Climate Change People; data rich programs: Snow and Water Data National Resources Inventory)

Web Soil Survey

USDA Extension Program site
(links to state and county Extension offices; Extension; 4-H)

Ohio State University Extension
(links to county programs; program areas: 4-H Youth Development Ag and Natural Resources Community Development Family and Consumer Sciences; resources: Ag Safety Bee Lab CommTech Leadership CenteOhio Servsafe Ohioline OSU Cares Pesticide Safety Education Program Plant/Pest Diagnostic http://extension.osu.edu/ask-an-expert  http://extension.osu.edu/topics/environment http://extension.osu.edu/topics/agriculture)

Agricultural Research Service
(research arm of USDA;  reports; partnerships; news and information)

American Society of Agronomy 
(dedicated to the conservation and wise use of natural resources to produce food, feed, and fiber crops while maintaining and improving the environment; implements Certified Crop Advisor program)

American Farmland Trust
(leading organization dedicated to saving America’s farm and ranch land, promoting environmentally sound farming practices and supporting a sustainable future for farms; focused on ensuring availability of land that provides fresh food, a healthy environment and lasting rural landscapes; info and action centers; Ohio link for AFT)

American Institute of Hydrology
(hydrology info, water conservation, soil and ground water remediation, hydrology engineering, waste water treatment, irrigation)

Conservation Technology Information Center
(initially focused on conservation tillage, has info on conservation technologies in A-Z list; cover crops; projects; field tours; Partners magazine; operates from Purdue University)

Environmental Working Group ag programs
(ID’s threats to health and environment:  biofuels, conservation, food, subsidies, water)

Farm-A-Syst and Home-A-Syst
(pollution prevention for farms, ranches, homes through confidential environmental (often self) assessments; tools, manuals cataloged/coordinated through Univ. of Wisconsin Extension)

USDA Forest Service
(links to national forests/facilities; key State and Private Forestry programs: fire management, sustainable development, forest health protection, cooperative forestry, conservation education, urban and community forestry) 

Land Improvement Contractors of America
(trade association of contractors who install conservation, drainage, and other practices)

Ohio Chapter Land Improvement Contractors of America
(member/contractor directory; projects)

National Association of State Conservation Agencies
(links to state soil and water conservation and similar state agencies; support for conservation districts; implement numerous regulatory and incentive-based state water quality, agricultural, urban, and other conservation programs)

Ohio DNR Div. of Soil and Water Resources
(implements regulatory and incentive ag conservation programs; supports SWCDs; supports watershed projects and nutrient management;  environmental education/Envirothon; link to Ohio ag pollution abatement program)

Ohio Clean Lakes Initiative
(July 2012 initiative of Ohio agencies/partners to mitigate ag nutrient impacts on lakes/streams)

National Association of Conservation Districts
(supports >3000 conservation districts nationwide; advocate for USDA, US EPA, and other federal  conservation programs; links to states/directories and conservations districts w/websites)

Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts
(links to Ohio’s 88 SWCDs; support for SWCDs; training/outreach; education/Envirothon)

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
(links to state ag agencies; represents them nationally/Farm Bill; pesticide safety; model food emergency plans; inspection programs; links ag departments to USDA ag statistics service)

National Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils
(links to 375 RC&D Councils USDA/locally-supported for better economy, environment, society)

USDA Research, Education, Economics mission area; links to:
Office of the Chief Scientist (OCS) Agricultural Research Service Economic Research Service National Agricultural Library National Agricultural Statistics Service National Arboretum National Institute of Food and Agriculture

National Watershed Coalition
(advocates dealing with natural resource problems and issues using watersheds as the planning and implementation unit; supports maintenance/rehab of thousands of smaller structures nationwide)

Society for Range Management
(supports persons who work with rangelands and have a commitment to their sustainable use and goods/services produced/ecological services provided; wildfires, climate change; training/education)

USDA Rural Development
(links to state RD offices; programs: business, community development, cooperatives, energy, housing, utilities (water/waste water, broadband), loans, grants, technical assistance; link to Ohio RD)

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development (USDA-supported)
(grants, education, professional development, tools; links to states; link to Ohio program at OSU)

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (USDA-supported)
(resources about sustainable food systems and practices  to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and farmers worldwide; many ag conservation programs/links)

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
(wealth of information on sustainable agriculture; links to hundreds of agencies and organizations)

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
(alliance of grassroots organizations; advocates federal policy to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, communities; publications, blog, numerous local/state member organization links by state across U.S.)

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Iowa State University)
(research/education to ID/ reduce negative environmental/social impacts of farming and develop new ways to farm profitably while conserving natural resources; ecological systems researchmarketing and food systems researchpolicy researchcross-cutting research that bridges all areas)

Soil and Water Conservation Society
(international scientific/educational organization that serves as an advocate for conservation professionals and for science-based conservation practice, programs, and policy; weekly e-Conservation NewsBriefs, blogs, All-Ohio Chapter)

National AgroForestry Center  USDA-supported
(combines agriculture and forestry to create integrated and sustainable land-use systems; benefits from combining trees and shrubs with crops and/or livestock; practices include: Alley Cropping Forest Farming Riparian Forest Buffers Silvopasture Windbreaks)

US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Dept. of the Interior
(links to programs associated with farms and agriculture)

Wildlife Habitat Council
(group of corporations, conservation orgs, and individuals dedicated to restoring and enhancing wildlife habitat, protecting biodiversity and educating communities; most projects on corporate lands)

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation
(general ag/industry organization with conservation/environmental interests/programs)

Ohio Environmental Council ag conservation program

(local agencies and organization may be added later; in meantime try links above to link to them)

 Other web links

Nutrient Stewardship
(partnership led by The Fertilizer Institute to promote 4R Nutrient Stewardship: right source, rate, time, place; training; tools; materials; outreach)