The Tennessee News and Publications webpage has press releases, success stories, and PDF versions of many of our brochures and fact sheets.
Feature articles, news releases or photos
Our partners are experts in their fields and understand the challenges in their own backyards. Through RCPP we can tap into that knowledge, in partnership with producers and USDA, to come up with lasting solutions to the challenges that farmers, ranchers, and landowners face. We’re looking forward to seeing the results of public-private partnership at its best, made possible through these RCPP investments.”
Funding available for partner-driven projects
NRCS is offering funding for partner-driven projects to improve water, quality, wildlife habitat, and reduce soil erosion in the Cumberland Plateau and Sequatchie Valley regions of Tennessee through the RCPP. The deadline to submit applications for FY 2024 funding is February 16.
NRCS Tennessee now accepting FY2024 EQIP applications
Producers interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their farmland have until Friday, November 17 to submit their application for financial assistance through the NRCS EQIP Extended deadline for Select Practices through February 16, 2024.
USDA NRCS in Tennessee encourages qualified private landowners to apply for ACEP-WRE
NRCS has announced an application deadline for fiscal year 2023 funding for the ACEP which includes special emphasis projects through NRCS partnerships with the WRE and RCPP. Private landowners or entities are encouraged to apply by Friday, November 3, 2023.
Tennessee announces Conservation Stewardship Program 30-day deadline extension
Natural Resource Conservation Service – Tennessee has announced an extension to the 2023 CSP Classic and Inflation Reduction Act application deadline.
USDA to invest $3 million to support cooperative soil science, soil survey research
The USDA plans to invest $3 million in partnerships to promote research that informs and improves soil surveys at the regional level, which is part of an ongoing effort to continue to provide critical data to the country.
Urban producers, public invited to attend August meeting of Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
The USDA encourages urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to submit comments for and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production on August 1.
Tennessee NRCS announces Urban Agriculture project funding opportunity
NRCS Tennessee announces a notice of funding opportunity of up to $15,000 for the development of urban agriculture and innovative production activities.
Biden-Harris Administration announces availability of $500 million for improved Regional Conservation Partnership Program
The Biden-Harris Administration today announced the availability of $500 million in funding to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation on agricultural land through the USDA’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
USDA seeks members for Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production
The USDA is seeking nominations for four positions on the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production. Nominations will be open to public from May 15, 2023, to July 15, 2023.
NRCS Tennessee sets application cutoff on recently announced Organic Transition Initiative
Tennessee releases an application cut-off date on the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative. The USDA announced last month details around its $75 million investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.
NRCS Tennessee announces an additional sign-up opportunity for Aquatic Habitat for at Risk Species in Eastern Tennessee
NRCS Tennessee is offering a second sign-up for the Joint Chiefs Aquatic Habitat for at Risk Species in Eastern Tennessee Project, which is entering the third year after the USDA announced the program in February 2021. The new application cut-off period is Friday, June 9, 2023.
USDA offers disaster assistance to farmers in Tennessee impacted by recent storms and tornadoes
Agricultural operations in Tennessee have been significantly impacted by recent tornadoes and severe storms that caused widespread and extensive destruction across the state. The USDA has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover.
Tennessee sets application cut-off period for EQIP and CSP Inflation Reduction Act funding
NRCS Tennessee announced an application cut-off period of Thursday, March 23, 2023, for Tennessee agricultural producers and forest landowners to submit applications to participate in the EQIP and CSP to adopt climate smart practices through the Inflation Reduction Act.
NRCS Tennessee announces March 23 application deadline for FY 2023 CSP Classic
NASHVILLE, February 10, 2023 – NRCS Tennessee State Conservationist Sheldon Hightower announced the fiscal year 2023 CSP Classic application deadline. Tennessee agricultural producers who wish to be considered for funding this fiscal year should apply by Thursday, March 23, 2023.
Farmers encouraged to keep the stubble during no-till November
NASHVILLE, November 1, 2022 — The Natural Resources Conservation Service is encouraging Tennessee farmers to keep the tillage equipment in the machine shed during No-Till November. First launched in 2017, the NRCS project is a conservation twist on the national cancer awareness No-Shave November.
USDA opens People’s Garden Initiative to gardens nationwide
NASHVILLE, Sept. 14, 2022 – The USDA is expanding its People’s Garden Initiative to include eligible gardens nationwide. School gardens, community gardens, urban farms, and small-scale agriculture projects in rural, suburban and urban areas can be recognized as a “People’s Garden.”
New financial assistance, easements data dashboards now available
NASHVILLE, August 26, 2022 - USDA’s NRCS offers financial assistance programs that deliver voluntary conservation practices across the Nation’s working lands. Farmers.gov; FAPD; Easement Program.
Funding available for innovative partner-driven projects
NASHVILLE, August 26, 2022 – The USDA NRCS is offering funding for innovative partner-driven projects to improve water quality, wildlife habitat, and soil health in three RCPP areas in Tennessee.
USDA offers conservation program opportunity for climate-smart agriculture
NASHVILLE, August 25, 2022 – The USDA NRCS is announcing an opportunity to implement climate-smart agriculture and forestry in 2023. Producers in Tennessee who are interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources.
USDA NRCS in Tennessee now accepting FY 2023 EQIP applications
NASHVILLE, August 24, 2022– Producers in Tennessee who are interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their farmland have until Friday, November 18, 2022, to submit their application for financial assistance through the NRCS.
USDA announces new opportunities to improve nutrient management
NASHVILLE, August 15, 2022 – The USDA welcomed the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which will deliver $19.5 billion in new conservation funding to support climate-smart agriculture. This historic funding will bolster the new steps that NRCS delivers.
USDA to invest $15 Million in innovative projects for climate-smart agriculture, urban agriculture and addressing invasive species
NASHVILLE, Aug. 10, 2022 – The USDA announced today it will invest $15 million this year for the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Classic program. Through CIG, grantees work to address our nation's water quality, water quantity, air quality, soil health and wildlife.
USDA boosts conservation on grazing lands, support for farmers, ranchers
NASHVILLE, August 9, 2022 – The USDA is investing up to $12 million in partnerships that expand access to conservation technical assistance for livestock producers and increase the use of conservation practices on grazing lands.
USDA names first three lenders for Heirs’ Property Relending Program
NASHVILLE, August 18, 2022 – The USDA announced that Akiptan, Inc., the Cherokee Nation Economic Development Trust Authority and the Shared Capital Cooperative have been approved or conditionally approved as intermediary lenders through the Heirs’ Property Relending Program.
Tennessee Articles, Photos and Videos
Recruitment Video
Click here to view recruitment video.
State Conservationist Virtual Address for TACD Annual Meeting
State Conservationist Sheldon Hightower highlights NRCS programs and activities for the 2021 Annual TACD convention held in Memphis.
Click here to view video.
Partnership: USDA and AgrAbility
A USDA-NRCS Tennessee video
A Natural Resources Conservation Service highlight video that discusses the ongoing partnership between USDA and AgrAbility in Tennessee.
Click here to view the video.
Tennessee Pathways Internship Program
A USDA-NRCS Tennessee video.
Highlight video. The Pathways Program offers a clear path of opportunity with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service in meeting our mission of Helping People Help the Land. Students from high school through post-graduate school can apply to participate in the available programs. For more information about the Pathways Internship Program and other programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/careers and www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads. Created May 2020. Follow us on Twitter: @NRCS_TN
Click here to view the video.
Hightower’s Quarterly Hustle
This is a video that highlights Tennessee State Conservationist Sheldon Hightower’s quarterly conservation activities around the state from January-March 2020!
Click here to view the video.
Hightower Weekly Update
Hightower Weekly Update Feb 13-21, 2020
NRCS State Conservationist Sheldon Hightower's highlight video of conservation activities in Tennessee.
Click here to view.
