USDA awards grant for conservation program

Posted on February 12, 2016

By Adam Studzinski

BLOOMINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding a $5.3 million grant to a program Under Secretary Robert Bonnie believed could have an impact throughout the country.

The Precision Conservation Management (PCM) program is aimed at getting more farmers involved in conservation efforts.

“The work that you all do here is going to have a ripple effect potentially across the country about how we address this issue,” said Bonnie. “And do it in a way that works for producers bottom lines and for the environment at the same time.

“We need strategies that integrate conservation into landowners and producers existing operations.”

Bonnie made the announcement Friday afternoon at the Illinois Corn Growers Association building in Bloomington. ICGA is the group which submitted PCM for the grant.

“This grant funding from the USDA will provide Illinois farmers with the tools to make those incremental, voluntary improvements that help move the needle on improved soil quality, nutrient management and high value crop production,” ICGA President Jeff Jarboe said.

ICGA is one of 30 partners working to develop the program.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…