Projects supporting Tennessee’s Duck River and sustainable agriculture receive $66 million in USDA awards

The USDA has allocated millions for projects to restore and preserve the Duck River. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Conservation efforts benefiting Tennessee’s Duck River and sustainable agriculture are among 92 projects receive new funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department announced Wednesday.

Projects supporting conservation in Tennessee will receive more than $66 million of the total $1.5 billion awarded nationwide through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. Funding comes from the Farm Bill and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Duck River Stream Restoration

THE Duck River Watershed Society received $20 million to support waterway restoration on the Duck River, one of the most diverse freshwater rivers in North America.

Drought, development and resulting low water levels on the Duck have caused concern among environmentalists And community memberswho fear permanent damage to the river and the dozens of species that call it home — some of which are federally protected. In addition to serving as a popular site for outdoor recreation, the river is the only source of water for at least 250,000 Middle Tennessee residents.

The organization will serve as lead partner on a project focused on restoring habitat quality and connectivity in the Duck River watershed, which stretches from Waverly to Manchester. This includes restoring streams using natural channel design and establishing vegetation along banks to improve water quality, stabilize banks and provide habitats for aquatic and terrestrial life.

The company will be reimbursed through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program for its conservation work.

Engage landowners in habitat protection

Agricenter Internationala Shelby County-based nonprofit focused on agricultural research and environmental conservation, will dedicate nearly $25 million to the Middle Tennessee Field and Forest Partnership.

The project aims to “expand producer and landowner engagement” to address wildlife resource and habitat concerns and water quality in the Duck River watershed in Tennessee and Western edge of the highlandsaccording to a USDA price summary.

Project activities will include:

• Create forest management plans

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve water quality by managing field sediment, nutrient and pathogen losses on agricultural land, and addressing soil quality.

• Engage with part-time farmers, small farms and foresters, and historically underserved landowners and farmers.

Promoting sustainable agriculture in three states

THE MidSouth Development Districtan organization that works in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi, will receive just over $21 million to fund the MidSouth Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

The organization will work with farms to establish “diverse habitats at the edge of production sites” in six counties: Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties in Tennessee, DeSoto County in Mississippi and Crittenden County in Arkansas . In doing so, the project aims to naturally improve water and soil quality, pest control and pollination, reduce the need for synthetic solutions, and promote sustainable agriculture, the USDA award summary states.

Fight against erosion and runoff

Tennessee is also a partner state for three other awards, including:

• A $17 million multistate effort to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff by protecting wetlands and floodplains (Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee)

• A $16.4 million multistate effort to improve soil health and fertility, reduce soil erosion and improve water and air quality, and help underserved farmers (Alabama , Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia)

• A $24.6 million multi-state project to promote the adoption of agroforestry and reforestation on farms to reduce sediment and nutrient erosion, sequester carbon on farms, and strengthen bird habitats (Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee)