| News & Info Brief
TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR UPDATED
Federal income tax laws can influence a private woodland owner's financial decisions about land management. Yet, special favorable tax provisions on timber that are intended to encourage private forest management and stewardship are commonly unknown. To help woodland owners in filing their 2015 tax returns, this publication, by Dr. Linda Wang, USDA Forest Service National Timber Tax Specialist, explains the federal income tax laws on timber. The information is not legal or accounting advice. This update has been updated and includes recent tax law changes. This publication and other related resources are available at http://www.timbertax.org.
Don't miss Linda's upcoming webinar on January 22, 1 pm ET: Timber Tax Filing for the 2015 Tax Year (link)
RECORDING OF DECEMBER 10 FOREST HEALTH UPDATE WORKSHOP AVAILABLE
Insects and diseases are natural components of the forest. Some of these insects and diseases can become pests when they inhibit tree regeneration and/or growth on a large scale. In addition to native pests, invasive exotic pests are a growing challenge, with new species being introduced every year. This workshop provides an update on current forest health issues and priorities across Florida with emphasis on proactive management and available assistance. Recorded presentations, materials and related links are all here.
2016 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS
Calendars include beautiful photos, land management highlights, tips, partner resources and contacts. First come, first serve for Forest Stewards, Tree Farmers, farmers, landowners, and private land managers while supplies last. Email Chris at cdemers@ufl.edu to request your copy. Please include your mailing address when you drop a line.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP VIDEOS - VIEW AND SHARE!
Enjoy and share these videos about a variety of stewardship topics: the Forest Stewardship Program, forests and water, thinning your pine stand, invasive species, greenbelt property tax assessment. All these videos are on the Florida Forest Stewardship Program home page – check them out: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/forest_stewardship
SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES?
Do you have pests or a disease in your trees? Leaves or needles wilting, and you don't know why? Sawdust falling out of your trees, and you don't know how to save them? There is help: ask your question at the free Forest Health Diagnostic Forum: http://sfrc.ufl.edu/treehealth/forum/.
GOT AN INVASIVE SPECIES PROBLEM?
Go to floridainvasives.org for information, assistance and partnership opportunities.
LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON A PARTICULAR TOPIC?
Check the vast array of extension publications available at the University of Florida IFAS on the EDIS publication site: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ Wow, there's a publication about that?
HAVE AN EVENT OR RELATED NEWS TO SHARE?
Drop a line to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu
More news and info at the Florida Land Steward Blog
| *** | EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south) | | January 25 | Agriculture Focus Groups: Are you a food producer in North Central Florida? (link) Jacksonville, FL. To register online click here or for more information contact Heather Keown at hrkeown@ufl.edu or (352) 273-2095. | | January 28 | Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference (link), 10 am to 4 pm, UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center, Apopka, FL. The conference will address some of the critical policy issues facing agribusiness in Florida currently and over the long run, such as land development, water resources, sea level rise and healthcare for the agricultural workforce. See link above for details and registration. | | February 2 | Hydroponic Vegetable Nutrient Management (link), Mid-Florida Research & Education Center, Apopka, FL. Click here to register online or for more information contact Dilcia Toro at (386) 362-1725 ext.102 | | February 5 | Small Scale Mushroom Production (link), Live Oak, FL. Click here to register online or for more information contact Dilcia Toro at (386) 362-1725 ext.102. | | February 5 | 2016 Tree and Landscape Short Course (link), 8 am to 3:30 pm ET, Trinkle Center, Hillsborough Community College, 1206 North Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563. $35 fee includes lunch. See link above for details and registration. | | February 16-17 | 5th UF Water Institute Symposium (link), University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. For more information contact Lisette M. Staal at (352)392-5893 x114 or lstaal@ufl.edu | | February 17-19 | Wildlife and Invasive Species Education (link), 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, UF/IFAS Sumter County Extension, 7620 SR 471, Ste 2, Bushnell, FL 33513. Topics will include: coyotes, invasive fish, invasive pigs, invasive plants; as well as important native creatures like the Florida panther, Florida black bear, reptiles, butterflies and more! Visit the link above to view the full agenda register. | | March 14-15 or
18-19 | Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business (link), Live Oak, FL. To register online click here or for more information contact Dilcia Toro at (386) 362-1725 ext.102 | | April 28 | Forest Stewardship Workshop: Use Prescribed Fire Safely and Effectively, 8:30 am to 4 pm, Austin Cary Forest Learning Center. This program will provide an overview of the uses of fire in natural resource management and the proper planning necessary for a successful prescribed burn. A burn demonstration will be planned and executed, if conditions allow. Mark your calendar - details to come. | | May 2-5 | 2016 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course, Coral Springs, FL. Join us for the largest and most inclusive training for Florida Pesticide Licensing and CEUs. Become a more qualified professional, engage with your industry, and network with your peers! See link above for details and registration. | | May 18-19 | 44th Annual Spring Symposium: Advances in Southern Pine Silviculture, UF Austin Cary Forest Learning Center. Sponsored by UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Florida Society of American Foresters. Mark your calendar - details to come. | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | January 19 | USDA Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities facing Women, Minority and Veteran Farmers, 9 am - 10:30 am EST, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL. Congresswoman Gwen Graham and USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden host a panel discussion. Ag producers, natural resource managers and Ag industry invited to participate. RSVP to Tristin Brown at tristin.brown@mail.house.gov or call (850) 891-8610. Registration is free. Coffee and pastries will be served. | | January 21 | 2016 Panhandle Satsuma Meeting (link), Marianna, FL. To RSVP or for more information call (850) 482-9620 or email Matt Lollar at mlollar@ufl.edu | | February 18-19 | Gulf Coast Agritourism and Ecotourism Business Development Conference (link), 10 am to 5:30 pm on Feb. 18 and 8:30 am to 1 pm on Feb. 19 at 1 Energy Place, Gulf Power Building, Pensacola, FL. Click here to register online or for more information contact Carrie Stevenson at (850) 475-5230. | | March 7, 14, 21 | Beekeeping in the Panhandle Short Course, 6 to 8 pm at UF/IFAS County Extension Offices across the Northwest FL District. Contact your UF/IFAS County Extension Office for details. | | April 1-2 | 5th Annual Beekeeping in the Panhandle Trade Show and Workshop, 9 am. to 2 pm at the Washington County Extension Office, Chipley. Contact the Jackson County Extension Office at (850) 482-9620 for details. | | April 5 | Forest Stewardship / Tree Farm Tour at the Gould Tree Farm (link), Washington County, FL. 9 am to 2 pm CT. Join us to learn about a variety of forest habitats, pine timber management, longleaf pine management, wildlife habitat improvements, Best Management Practices, available assistance and more. See link above for details. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register online at https://fsp-tour040516.eventbrite.com/ or call UF/IFAS Washington County Extension at (850) 638-6180 to register. | | WEBINARS | | January 19 | Webinar: Management of Confined Livestock Systems from a Producer's Perspective (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details. | | January 22 | Webinar: Timber Tax Filing for the 2015 Tax Year (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details. | | January 26 | Webinar: Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans and the Planning Process (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details. | | February 2 | Webinar: Conservation Buffers to Support Beneficial Insects
on Organic Farms (link), 3 pm ET, See link for details. | | February 9 | Webinar: The Science Supporting Changes in Soil Health (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details. | | February 11 | Webinar: Soil Water Sensors for Agriculture - Applications and Usefulness (link), 11:30 am ET, See link for details. | | February 17 | Southern Fire Exchange Webinar: El Nino, La Nina and the 1998 Florida Wildfires (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and registration. | *** |
