| News & Info Brief WOODWARD FAMILY: FLORIDA'S 2014 OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR, TOUR ON NOVEMBER 14
The Woodward Family's forest property has been in the family 100 years this year. A certified Tree Farm, the property is over 1,400 acres of pine and hardwood stands with a multiple use objective. Wildlife, recreation and timber are primary objectives on the property, and have been guided by a written forest management plan for over 30 years. A tour of the Woodward Family Tree Farm will take place on November 14, 2014. Reserve a space by contacting to Phil at Florida Forestry Association, (850) 222-5646 or Phil@ForestFla.org. Registration for this tour ends this Friday, October 31. TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2014 TAX YEAR
Tax laws on timber transactions are very specialized but important to timber owners in terms of the ongoing cost of owning and managing timber, forest stewardship and compliance to the tax law. This bulletin reviews the major federal income tax laws to help forest owners in filing their 2014 income tax returns. The information presented here is current as of September 30, 2014:
2014 TAX TIPS (pdf) WILDLIFE BMPs ADOPTED
A new set of Best Management Practices (BMPs) related to the protection of 16 species of Florida wildlife was officially adopted last week by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The adoption of the wildlife BMPs for forestry represents the culmination of a multi-year effort directed primarily at proactively protecting a certain group of "imperiled" species so as to strengthen the case that any potential federal listing is not warranted.
The BMP implementing rules of DACS are found in Chapter 5I-8, Florida Administrative Code. A link to the new wildlife BMP manual on the Florida Forest Service website will be provided when it is available.
NEW FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE - CHECK EM OUT, USE AND SHARE!
GOT YOUR GREENBELT?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6GXmtVGm0
INVASIVE SPECIES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8wrMX5PW3Q
COGONGRASS TREATMENT COST-SHARE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Applications accepted through Feb. 27, 2015 to remove invasive plant.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass, which occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior.
The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat cogongrass infestations for two consecutive years. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2014 may apply from Sept. 22, 2014 through Oct. 3, 2014. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2015 may apply from Oct. 6, 2014 through Feb. 27, 2015. To learn more about this program and obtain an application form, contact a local Florida Forest Service office or visit http://www.FloridaForestService.com. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. This program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM HELPS FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for Environmental Quality Incentive Program Nov. 21
Florida farmers and ranchers can apply until Nov. 21 for financial assistance in fiscal year 2015 through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Through EQIP, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) develops contracts with agricultural producers to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands. The application process for conservation programs is continuous, but funding selections are typically made once a year. Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.
More news and info at the Florida Land Steward Blog
| *** | EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south) | | October 29 | Silviculture Best Management Practices Workshop, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, Waccasassa Forestry Center, 5353 NE 39th Ave, Gainesville, FL. Foresters, 4 hours Cat 1 CFEs approved. Space is limited so register soon. Preregister by contacting Robin Holland, 352-732-1273, Robin.Holland@freshfromflorida.com. Registration deadline is October 23. See flier linked above for details. | | October 30 | Forest Stewardship Tree / Plant ID Field Day (pdf link), 9 am to 3 pm ET, Morningside Nature Center, 3540 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32641. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Details and registration at
https://fsp-workshop103014.eventbrite.com/ | | October 30 | First Coast CISMA Invasive Grasses and Aquatics Workshop for Land Managers, 10 am to 2 pm, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension Office, 1010 N McDuff Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254. $10 fee covers coffee and snacks, BYO lunch. Register Here. For more informatin contact Tina Gordon, tina.m.gordon@dep.state.fl.us | | October 31 | Forest Stewardship Tour at Cumberland Plantation and Riverview Farms, Madison County (pdf link), This tour is FULL | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | October 31 | Leon County Tree ID Lab, 9 am to 12 pm, UF/IFAS Leon County Extension. Free without CEUs and $10 for professionals seeking ISA or FDACS pesticide CEUs. Contact Genice Harris at (850) 606-5200 for CEU specifics. Registration required at http://leonextensiontreeid2014.eventbrite.com/ | | November 5 | The Southern Fire Exchange Presents a Field Tour: Restoration Projects in the Apalachicola National Forest, 9:00am - 3:00pm ET, Tallahassee, FL. Topics will include prescribed fire, bobwhite quail, gopher tortoises, striped newts, hardwood management, timber harvesting, herbicide, longleaf pine forest restoration, wetland restoration. Registration is limited to the first 25 participants! Register online:
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/field-tour-restoration-projects-in-the-apalachicola-national-forest-registration-13960196323 Please direct all questions to: David Godwin, Southern Fire Exchange, drg2814@ufl.edu | | November 5-6 | 2014 Gulf Coast Agritourism & Ecotourism Business Development Conference (link), Adventures Unlimited, 8974 Tomahawk Landing Rd, Milton, FL 32570.. The conference will be an exciting blend of informational sessions, hands on activities, and an opportunity to explore local Agritourism and Ecotourism businesses. The conference will provide important information for new business startups as well as long established companies in Agritourism and Ecotourism. See link above for details. | | November 14 | The Woodward Family Tree Farm Tour, 2014 Florida Tree Farmers of the Year, Gadsden County, 9:00 am to approximately 1:00 pm, Eastern Time. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP no later than this Friday, October 31, to Phil at the Florida Forestry Association (850) 222-5646 or Phil@ForestFla.org. Directions will be provided when you register. | | November 15 | FAMU Cooperative Extension Program Fall Farm Fest 2014 Agri-Showcase, 8 am to 3 pm, FAMU Research & Extension Center, Quincy, Florida 32352 . 2K Rattler Farm Run/Walk starts at 8:30 am. Vet-Tech Open House * Farm Tours* Educational Demonstrations & Exhibits * Rattler 2K Farm Run/Walk* Animals * Crops * Kid's Zone * Health & Wellness* Entertainment for All Ages. For more information, contact Cooperative Extension at (850) 599-3546 | | WEBINARS, ONLINE TRAINING, OTHER EVENTS | | October 29, November 10, December 12 | Non-timber Forest Products Fall 2014 Webinar Series (link). This webinar series highlights the diverse world of non-timber forest products, This program is a national partnership effort between the American Forest Foundation and the Cooperative Extension Service. Foresters, SAF CFEs are approved for the sessions. Details and registration at Tree Farm calendar link above. | | October 29 | Webinar: Planning and Design of Stream Crossings (link), 2:00 pm ET, See link for details. | | October 28-29 | 2014 SouthEastern Regional Forest Resource Owner and Manager Conference: Advancing Timber, Wildlife, and Ecological Benefits in the Forests of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Rainwater Conference Center, 1 Meeting Place, Valdosta, GA 31601. See link to brochure above for details. Online registration here. | | November 19 | Webinar: Effective Use of Electric Fencing to Improve Grazing Management and Enhance Soil Health (link), 2:00 pm ET, See link for details. | | January 27-February 17, 2015 | 2015 Master Tree Farmer, every Tuesday evening beginning on January 27, 2015 continuing through February 17. The program will start at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm. This year the program will be delivered via the internet which means you will have the option to watch it at home. Details at http://www.mastertreefarmer.net/treefarm2015.html | | | | *** |
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