Conservation tillage practices are also needed to stop soil erosion, store carbon and keep the soil healthy to produce high quality crops and good yields, says Jerry Hatfield of the USDA.

The American Farmland Trust says a tax package moving toward Senate debate contains several components critical for the long-term health of farms.

U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund existing conservation projects in 41 eligible watersheds in 12 states this fiscal year as part of its Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative.

The USDA will begin issuing Conservation Stewardship and Conservation Security Program payments this month to thousands of farmers and ranchers in all fifty states to help maintain and improve the natural resources on their land.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the ranking period cut-off date for producers to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to January 7, 2011.

No-tillers and strip-tillers have until June 25 to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which now offers more money and access to qualified applicants under the final rules USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced June 3.

Farmers caring for their land received a mixed bag when USDA finalized rules for the Conservation Stewardship, according to National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

This years devastating drought not only robbed crops of valuable moisture, it reduced plant growth and protective cover for the soil. Conservation officials warn that the drought made our soil resource vulnerable to erosion and any tillage will only make conditions worse.