Polk Small Farms: Florida Land Steward Update 8/30/13

Can’t read info below? See http://floridalandsteward.org

Florida Land Steward Update August 30, 2013 Have Land? Get a Plan and Stay Connected. Florida Land Steward is your source of assistance, information, events and resources.
News and upcoming events below. Please share this update with your neighbors, agents, foresters, biologists, clients, constituents.

- Summer / Fall (Vol 2, No 3) and back issues of Florida Land Steward Newsletter-

News & Info Brief

WILDLIFE BMPs FOR FORESTRY IN THE WORKS
A subcommittee of the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services' Silviculture Best Management Practices Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is working on the development of wildlife BMPs for forestry activities intended to avoid a "take" of certain state listed species, both aquatic and terrestrial. The subcommittee includes representatives of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, other key state and federal agencies, Florida Forestry Association, and an environmental organization. Draft BMPs will be presented to the full TAC this fall for discussion and possible approval.

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE (NRCS) CONSERVATION PLAN ASSISTANCE
Creating a conservation plan is a free service in conserving water, improving air quality, and reducing soil erosion. It’s your plan to use as you wish – a guide to using your natural resources more efficiently. Agricultural producers can request technical assistance and develop a conservation plan at any time. The NRCS's mission is providing science-based conservation assistance for the management of natural resources; for present and future generations. Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on the web at http://www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app

FLORIDA RESIDENTST ASKED TO REPORT SIGHTINGS OF RARE SNAKES
Information on current distribution and abundance of the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), and Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus) is needed, and your observations can help FWC biologists evaluate their status. These snakes spend much of their time underground in dry, upland habitats and are difficult to survey. Participate here:
https://public.myfwc.com/fwri/raresnakes/UserHome.aspx?id=

DEER REGULATION CHANGES LIKELY FOR NORTHWEST FLORIDA
Following months of meetings and evaluations of public preferences, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has formulated possible changes to deer hunting regulations in northwest Florida for the 2014-15 hunting season. The changes are intended to improve hunter satisfaction. Details here

PUBLIC INVITED TO REVIEW FWC IMPERILED SPECIES ACTION PLANS
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites your feedback on the Imperiled Species Management Plan, which will be the blueprint for conserving 60 species on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list. Be a part the process. See http://www.myfwc.com/Imperiled to learn more and participate.

HELP STILL NEEDED - COYOTES VS BOBCATS: WHAT ARE THEY EATING?
Your help is still needed in this study. The University of Florida is conducting a study of coyote and bobcat diets in Florida. Of particular interest is the importance of popular wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and bobwhite quail, livestock, and pets in the diet of these predators. Diets will be determined by examining the stomach contents of coyotes and bobcats legally harvested or obtained in Florida. We are asking for your help in obtaining legally acquired coyote and bobcat carcasses, with or without pelts. We will also accept coyote and bobcat stomachs and intestines if you cannot store the whole carcass. If you have at least 5 animals that you would like to provide us, you can contact Lauren Watine (352-846-0558; lnwatine@ufl.edu) or Bill Giuliano (352-846-0575; docg@ufl.edu) at the University of Florida to arrange for pickup.

***

EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)
August 29-30	I-Tree Training Workshop (link) , Plant City Campus of Hillsborough County Community College. Offered by the Florida Urban Forest Council, learn how to inventory your urban forest using the i-Tree inventory and analysis system developed by the U.S. Forest Service.
September 3-5	Florida Forestry Association Annual Meeting: Growing Through Change, Sawgrass Marriott, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. See link for details.
September 10	*Natural Areas/Right-of-Way Pesticide Workshop*, 9 am to 4 pm ET, Bradford County Fairgrounds Building #3. Approved for 3 core and 3 (either NWM, ROW or D&R) hours. Registration $20.00. Contact Tim Wilson, Bradford County Extension, (904) 966-6224, timwilson@ufl.edu
September 12	Forest Stewardship Workshop: Integrate Timber and Wildlife Management (link to pdf flier) , 9 am - 3:15 pm ET, UF-IFAS Nassau County Extension Office, 543350 US-Hwy 1, Callahan, FL 32011. Details and registration online at http://fsp-workshop091213.eventbrite.com/
September 14	3rd Annual Wild Game Processing Course 9 am – 3 pm, UF Meat Laboratory, 2250 Shealy Drive, Gainesville, FL 32608. See link for details.
September 23-25	Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Annual Convention 2013, The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island, FL . See link for details and registration.
September 24	Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (link to pdf flier) , UF-IFAS Clay Extension, Green Cove Springs, FL . Presented by Florida’s Forest Stewardship Program and First Coast Invasive Working Group. Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Units approved: 2 Core, 1 Nat. Area WM; SAF Continuing Education hours approved: 3.0 hours Cat 1 and 1.0 hour Category 2. $10 fee. Details and registration at http://fsp-workshop092413.eventbrite.com/
September 24	*Silviculture Best Management Practices Workshop for Site Prep Operations, 9:15 am to 12:30 pm ET, Lake Butler Public Library, 250 SE 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, FL 32054*. This workshop will cover BMPs for site preparation operations only - BMPs for harvesting operations will NOT be covered. Pre-Registration is not required. For more information about the workshop please contact Robin Holland at (352) 732-1273 or by email at Robin.Holland@FreshFromFlorida.com
September 24-29	15th annual Florida Keys Birding and Wildlife Festival (link) , a variety of programs, field trips, workshops and speakers. Festival activities span the length of the island chain, from Key Largo to the Dry Tortugas, and give participants a unique perspective on the terrestrial and marine habitats of this subtropical paradise. See link for details.
October 9	Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (link to pdf flier) , Florida Center for Wildfire and Forest Management Training, 24059 Childs Road, Brooksville, FL 34601 , Presented by Florida’s Forest Stewardship Program and Nature Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Units approved: 2 Core, 1 Nat. Area WM; SAF Continuing Education hours approved: 3.0 hours Cat 1 and 1.0 hour Category 2. $10 covers lunch and materials. Details and registration online at http://fsp-workshop100913.eventbrite.com/
October 9	Certifiied Pile Burner Class, 8:30 am till 4:30 pm ET, UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center located in Live Oak, FL. This course will show you how to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently. $50 registration fee. Contact Elena Toro, etoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-2771.
November 6	Florida Ag Expo (link) , 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research & Education Center, 14625 County Road 672, Wimauma, FL 33598. See link for details and registration.
November 7	*Florida Tree Farm Tour* at the property of Jeff and Melody Scott, Florida's 2013 Tree Farmers of the Year, Suwannee County. Details to come.
November 21-22	I-Tree Training Workshop (link), Jacksonville, location TBA. Offered by the Florida Urban Forest Council, learn how to inventory your urban forest using the i-Tree inventory and analysis system developed by the U.S. Forest Service.
January 14-16, 2014	2014 Green Infrastructure Conference (link), University of South Florida, Patel College of Global Sustainability, Tampa, FL. See link for details.
WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
September 3, 10		Farm School, Beginning Farmer/Rancher Program (link) , UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview, FL. See link for details or contact Jennifer Bearden, (850) 689-5850, heady@ufl.edu
September 19		Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (link to pdf flier) , UF-IFAS Jackson County Extension Conference Room, Marianna, FL . Presented by Florida’s Forest Stewardship Program and Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance. Pesticide Applicator Continuing Education Units approved: 2 Core, 1 Nat. Area WM; SAF Continuing Education hours approved: 3.0 hours Cat 1 and 1.0 hour Category 2. $10 fee. Register online: http://fsp-workshop091913.eventbrite.com/
October 20		New Leaf Market 6th Annual Farm Tour (link) , 10am to 4pm, tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm CT . See link for details.
October 20-27		*Seven Days of Local Delights – A Celebration of Local Food, Tallahassee, FL*. A series of tours, workshops and talks about Tallahassee's small farms and local food scene. Presented by the Red Hills Small Farm Alliance. See link for details.
November 14		Forest Stewardship Tour at George C. Owens Farm, 8:30 am to 2 pm CT, meet at Washington County Extension Auditorium . Join us to learn the many benefits of silvopasture - combining livestock and timber. Details and registration at http://fsp-tour111413.eventbrite.com/
November 19-20		I-Tree Training Workshop (link), Pensacola, location TBA. Offered by the Florida Urban Forest Council, learn how to inventory your urban forest using the i-Tree inventory and analysis system developed by the U.S. Forest Service.
November 21		Forest Stewardship Tour at Kent-Carroll Forests, Holmes County. Details to Come. Join us to learn about this multi-enterprise property of forests, fruit production, ponds and wildlife. Details and registration at http://fsp-tour112113.eventbrite.com/
January 14		*Cogongrass Workshop*, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, UF/IFAS North FL Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy, FL 32351. To be broadcast via Polycom to 6 other Florida locations. Details to come.

WEBINARS, REGIONAL OR NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER
August 29	Conservation Webinar: Preventing or Mitigating Potential Negative Impacts of Pesticides on Pollinators (link) , 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET, see link for details.
September 10	RESCHEDULED: Natural Resources Webinar: Small-scale Micro-irrigation Design and Components (link) , 2 ET. See link for details.
September 12	Conservation Webinar: Dust Control from Animal Activity on Open Lots (link), 1 pm ET. See link for details.
September 12	*Prescribed Fire & Ecosystem Restoration: Lessons from the Fall Line Region*, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM , Blackjack Crossing Tract, Talbot County, Georgia. Details and registration at: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/7851539165
September 15-18	National Goat Conference (link) , Greensboro, North Carolina, hosted by North Carolina A&T University Cooperative Extension. See link for details.
September 18	Natural Resources Webinar: Environmental Evaluation Series: Planning for Prime and Unique Farmland and Invasive Species Special Environmental Concerns (link) , 2 - 3:30 pm ET. See link for details.
September 25	Natural Resources Webinar: Using Cover Crops in Vegetable Production Systems (link), 2 pm ET. See link for details.
October 8-10	Longleaf Academy Understory 201 (link) , Solon Dixon Forestry Education Center, 12130 Dixon Center Road, Andalusia, AL 36420. This course is part of The Longleaf Alliance’s Longleaf Academies . To register for this course, please contact the Longleaf Alliance office at office@longleafalliance.org or 334-427-1029
October 9	Conservation Webinar: Introduction to Livestock GRACEnet and How ARS Research can be Transferred to NRCS (link) , 3 pm ET. See link for details.