The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is announcing several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022. Updates include nationwide availability of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Conservation Incentive Contracts option, a new and streamlined EQIP Cover Crop Initiative, and added flexibilities for producers to easily re-enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). These improvements to NRCS’ working lands conservation programs, combined with continued program opportunities in all states, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader effort to support climate-smart agriculture.

The Kiamichi Conservation District has announced that funds are available for cost-share assistance on selected conservation practices benefiting conservation. The State of Oklahoma has provided limited funds to our conservation district to help landowners implement measures that will help conservation.

We have another strong cold front coming at midweek and the coldest day will be Thursday with a high around 36 and a low near 17 Thursday night. A warming trend will bring us back up to near 50 on Saturday and close to 60 degrees by Monday.

The need for educated professionals able to cater to the unique health, social and financial needs of seniors grow as the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, and improvements in healthcare allow people to live longer. Certified Senior Advisors have received a unique education and training that compliments their professional skills to better serve the growing senior demographic.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and CDC have cleared the way to expand booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15. This decision was made following the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s authorization to expand booster doses to this age group, earlier this week.

OKLAHOMA CITY ––Variant sequencing at the OSDH Public Health (PHL) lab of most recent specimens from over the holidays shows a mix of omicron (57%) and delta (43%). This surveillance data is important to providers and the public to understand what is going on in the state.