WACD Reading List

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that the second funding pool through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities opportunity received over 600 applications from over 400 groups. While USDA is in the process of calculating the total requested amount for the second funding pool, the overall interest in the opportunity already exceeds more than $18 billion.

EUGENE, Ore. — A grazing plan is under attack for allegedly failing to adequately examine climate change effects on Oregon spotted frogs

Sustainable Fams and Fields will use $2 million to help fund climate-smart farming practices April 2022

Central and Southern Oregon are bearing the brunt of an extensive drought that could bring early wildfire and more water shortages this summer.

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced a $1 billion investment in partnerships to support U.S climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

The so-called megadrought that is afflicting the American West is the worst in 1,200 years, according to a study published this week.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., Feb. 7, 2022 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today at Lincoln University that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is delivering on its promise to expand markets by investing $1 billion in partnerships to support America’s climate-smart farmers, ranchers and forest landowners.

Climate change is weakening communities of colorful creatures in the rocky intertidal zone on the Oregon Coast.

The USDA is using the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, and the Conservation Stewardship Program, or CSP, to help farmers use methods such as cover crops to sequester carbon.

NRCS accepts applications for conservation programs – including EQIP and CSP – year-round, however producers and landowners should apply by state-specific, signup dates to be considered for each year’s funding. To apply, producers should contact their local USDA Service Center

New atmospheric research has found melting sea ice in the Arctic increases the risks for wildfires on the West Coast.

Researchers with Oregon State University say the U.S. needs to establish new “Strategic Forest Reserves” to protect wildlife and reduce the carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. A new study maps the Western forests that would store the most carbon and help the most species if they were given the same level of protection from logging, grazing and mining as designated wilderness areas receive.

The weather was wilder than usual this year, and the reasons vary, climate experts say. But evidence increasingly shows that historic heat waves, monster rain events and ultra-intense storms are exacerbated by the warmer air and water of our overheating planet.

United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack underscored the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s support for President Biden’s whole-of-government approach to combating climate change and creating good-paying jobs and economic growth in the United States.

OLYMPIA — Declaring the state hasn't done enough to reduce carbon emissions, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday he will ask lawmakers to pass more climate legislation. Inslee said he will propose further limits on fossil fuels, including on using natural gas, to get the state on course to slash greenhouse gases in roughly half by 2030.

Warmer summers — and winters — force Washington vintners to reconsider their crops.

there is a worrying inequality in the world of climate science.

Lawmakers want to put thousands of young people to work to fight climate change.