Backyard Conservation

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USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service

National Agricultural Statistics Service provides timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to U. S. agriculture.

USDA Forecasts Robust Corn and Soybean Crops, Despite Flooding
Despite June's severe flooding in the Midwest, U.S. farmers are on pace to produce the second largest corn crop and fourth largest soybean crop in history, according to the Crop Production report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Farm Production Expenditures Hit Record High in 2007, USDA Reports
The rising cost of fuel and other products helped drive U.S. farm production expenditures to a record $260 billion in 2007, according to the Farm Production Expenditures 2007 summary released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Total U.S. farm production expenditures rose 9.3 percent from 2006 and nearly 30 percent from 5 years ago.
USDA Report Assesses 2008 Corn and Soybean Acreage
Despite the recent flooding in the Midwest, U.S. farmers expect to harvest nearly 79 million acres of corn and more than 72 million acres of soybeans in 2008, according to the Acreage report released today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

Backyard Conservation

The nation's farmers have worked at protecting soil and water resources for more than 60 years, but, in the past ten years, progress has been remarkable. The time has come to share these successful conservation practices with non-farm neighbors.

In taking those stories to the city, this project will encourage urban people to use some of the same soil conservation, water quality, wildlife habitat and natural resource protection practices farmers have been installing. More than 92 million acres of U.S. land is developed land and much of it is in the care of homeowners.

Backyard Conservation is a multifaceted cooperative project by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Wildlife Habitat Council, and the National Association of Conservation Districts

Backyard conservation practices outlined in this project are easy and most are inexpensive. Activities can be done by individuals and families, and many practices can be adapted to community gardens, schools and other public places.

By participating in backyard conservation, urban people will feel good about positive contributions to the environment and get a better understanding of conservation on all land.

Natural Resources Area at the Delaware County Fair Grounds

The Natural Resources Area is a place in the out-of-doors to encounter some land stewardship opportunities while taking a break from fun at the fair and during other times of the year. The focus is on conservation practices that are practical and can be implemented outside where you live, work, go to school or worship.