AUBURN, CA – Placer Resource Conservation District (Placer RCD) was recently awarded $22,388 by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) as part of their “Improving Equity in Conservation Outreach in California through Collaboration of NRCS and RCDs” Grant. This funding will be available for the next two years, and will allow Placer RCD to provide tours, workshops, and stipends to historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and students.
Placer County is deeply rooted in agriculture, with many farmers and ranchers hailing from historically underserved communities. With this funding, Placer RCD will offer a tour of farms and ranches in Placer County that have utilized funding from the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to enact best conservation practices (such as compost application, mulching, cover cropping, and more). Additionally, Placer RCD will host several workshops in Placer County, highlighting climate-smart agricultural practices that small farmers and community gardens can adopt. Finally, a portion of this funding will be awarded to students from underserved communities within the County as a travel stipend to attend the Agriculture Future of America (AFA) + NACD Sustainability Institute during upcoming NACD Annual Meetings. The AFA + NACD Sustainability Institute helps students gain access to potential mentors, resources, and opportunities in the conservation field.
“Conservation in the United States is effective when both current land stewards and the next generation of working land managers and conservationists are aware of and have access to the resources necessary to improve the health of their land while remaining competitive in the marketplace. It is equally important that students and emerging professionals have access to resources that help them excel in their fields. NRCS serves as an essential resource in helping land stewards, farmers, and ranchers achieve these goals,” said Andrew Justus-Fritz, Community & Conservation Director at Placer RCD.
Questions? Contact:
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Andrew Justus-Fritz
Community & Conservation Director