On January 24, 2024, NASCA hosted the first webinar of the year exploring how state conservation agencies have participated in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) opportunities this past year. 

Will Myers from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provided an overview of a new agreement which provides state staff support assistance in alignment with conservation partnership programs and resource needs. This agreement is one of several complimentary agreements Iowa partners have recently executed or are exploring in support of increasing conservation program demands.

Rakel Sanchez discussed how the Colorado Department of Agriculture is using the IRA funding as a way to grow the state’s District Technician Program. The purpose of the program is to preserve/increase conservation technical assistance to landowners and spread awareness to the local conservation districts and the work that they do. The program allows conservation districts to apply for 80% cost-share to employ technical staff to implement Inflation Reduction Act conservation practices/planning on private land.

The next NASCA webinar will be April 24th. Register here to attend the webinar.