The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pacific Islands Area (PIA) announces the release of its FY 2022 NRCS PIA Annual Report.
Contact: Susan Kubo
Phone: (808) 600-2921
December 12, 2022 - The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Pacific Islands Area (PIA) announces the release of its FY 2022 NRCS PIA Annual Report highlighting the impacts of federal and partner investments toward protecting and improving natural resources in the state of Hawai’i, territories of American Samoa, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands, and the Freely Associated States (Micronesia, the Republic of Palau, and the Republic of Marshall Islands). The report shares conservation program and practice implementation data which indicates a high level of commitment from Pacific Islands Area farmers in land stewardship.
In Fiscal Year 2022, conservation efforts by NRCS helped reduce erosion, improve soil health, and protect water quality. Despite the continuing challenges of COVID-19, NRCS PIA continued to serve PIA farmers and forest owners delivering 519 conservation plans on 61,378 acres of agricultural and forest lands.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our PIA team as we continue to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world,” said J.B. Martin, NRCS PIA Acting Director.
The report shares news on strategic partnerships with the O’ahu Resource Conservation and Development Council and National Fish and Wildlife Federation on projects in O’ahu North Shore Working Wetlands focus on strategically enhancing wetland management of lowland agricultural operations. The report also shares the announcement of four projects awarded in the PIA under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
The report states that $10.2 million was provided through 398 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) contracts to farmers and private landowners to implement conservation on 14,407 acres. Federal assistance helped farmers install practices such as crop rotation, cover crops, forest farming, brush management, and prescribed grazing.
NRCS PIA’s mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world. Their vision is resilient islands with clean and abundant water, healthy soils, and thriving agricultural communities.
NRCS in the Pacific Islands Area shares their 5-year strategic plan on their website. The FY 2022 NRCS PIA Annual Report in its entirety is also posted on the website.
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