| News & Info Brief
New events added this week and more are in the works. Stay informed on all the latest events and news with these email updates, our Florida Land Steward Facebook page and online at http://floridalandsteward.org/.
MORE 2017 FLORIDA LAND STEWARD CALENDARS ARE IN
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. If you have requested a calendar it is in the mail.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA STUDY FINDS THAT VOTERS IN THE EASTERN U.S. ARE SUPPORTIVE OF FOREST AND WATER CONSERVATION
According to a recent University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study, voters are likely to approve referenda for forest and water conservation in the eastern United States, including Florida, because demand for ecosystem protection is increasing. "Florida voters have approved far more referenda, compared to other states, and on average support more expensive conservation programs," said Melissa Kreye, a post-doctoral researcher in the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and a study author.
Read more at: http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/2017/01/ufifas-study-voters-want-to-preserve-forests-water/
2016 TAX TIPS FOR FOREST LANDOWNERS
Dr. Linda Wang, National Timber Tax Specialist, USDA Forest Service, has prepared her annual Timber Tax Tips publication. It and other related resources are available at the National Timber Tax website: http://www.timbertax.org/.
FUNDING HELPS FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IMPROVE WORKING LANDS
Application Deadline February 3 for Conservation Stewardship Program
Agricultural producers can sign up for funding now until February 3 available through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Agricultural producers and forest landowners can earn incentive payments from CSP for expanding conservation activities on their land, such as cover crops, ecologically-based pest management, buffer strips, and pollinator and beneficial insect habitat.
CSP encourages the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and new approaches such as precision agriculture applications, on-site carbon storage and planting for high carbon sequestration rate, and new soil amendments to improve water quality. The program also offers bundles, where a producer can select a suite of enhancements to implement and receive an even higher payment rate. All CSP contracts will have a minimum annual payment of $1,500. Information about CSP, including national and state ranking questions and enhancement descriptions, is available on the national website or visit your local NRCS field office.
FUNDING HELPS RANCHERS CONSERVE FLORIDA PANTHER HABITAT
Ranchers in southwest Florida may be able to get paid for helping the Florida panther. To be eligible, a producer's operation must be in northeastern Collier County or southwestern Hendry County—an area identified as essential for the long-term viability of the panther population. Federal, state and nonprofits have partnered to provide a suite of technical services and financial assistance to ranchers, from building fencing and treating invasive plants to compensating ranchers for loss of their cattle from panthers.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will coordinate assistance to ranchers available through the various agencies. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide technical and financial assistance for conservation practices through its Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). The signup deadline to apply for that program is Feb. 3, 2017. To find out how to participate contact Jennifer Korn at FWC, 813-417-6165 or Erin Myers at USFWS, 239-657-8009. At NRCS in Hendry County contact District Conservationist Jim Sutter, (863) 674-5700, and in Collier County District Conservationist Bob Beck, 239-455-4100.
SIGN UP FOR AGRICULTURAL LAND EASEMENTS
The application deadline is February 24 for fiscal year 2017 funding.
USDA NRCS provides financial assistance to partners for purchasing Agricultural Land Easements that protect the use and conservation values of eligible land. In the case of working farms, the program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture. The program also protects grazing uses and related conservation values by conserving grassland, including rangeland, pastureland and shrub land. Eligible partners include Indian tribes, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations that have farmland or grassland protection programs.
Under the Agricultural Land component, NRCS may contribute up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Where NRCS determines that grasslands of special environmental significance will be protected, NRCS may contribute up to 75 percent of the fair market value of the agricultural land easement. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis, funding selections are typically made once a year. Visit your local NRCS office to find out how to apply or obtain the applications online. Contact Nina Bhattacharyya, (352) 338-9554 for information.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN DEER - FWC REQUESTS SAMPLES FROM HARVESTS
By Larry Perrin, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) requests your assistance with increased monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). CWD is a fatal disease of white-tailed deer, and other ungulates (elk, moose, mule deer). It is not contagious to humans. CWD was originally discovered in Colorado in 1980 and now occurs in 24 other states; the closest to FL being TX and AR to the west and VA and WV to the north. Early detection is critical as this disease is extremely difficult to control, thus continuous monitoring is important.
FWC has been conducting CWD monitoring since 2001 with many of our samples coming from public wildlife management areas. We would now like to focus on obtaining samples from other public and private lands. It would be most beneficial if you would report any sick, injured, or dead deer (typically road-killed deer) to our CWD "hotline" at 866-293-9282. FWC will then make every effort to collect the necessary brain tissue and lymph nodes from these animals.
Also, if you, or any of your acquaintances, are deer hunters we would like to obtain samples from these animals as well. For hunter-killed bucks, the antlers and/or cape can be removed as normal without affecting the desired samples. If you are likely to harvest several deer (bucks or does) over the hunting season deer heads can be stored for 2 to 3 weeks if refrigerated and for an extended period if frozen. The storage of heads from the same tract of land is beneficial as we can schedule a pickup that will be much more efficient than picking up individual deer heads. Again, you can call our hotline no. (866-293-9282) to arrange for pickups. If you harvest deer from more than one area specific location information is needed for each deer since if a sample tests positive for CWD it will be essential that its location be known so that appropriate measures can be taken.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
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) | | February 2 | 21st Annual Southwest Florida CISMA Invasive Species Workshop (link), 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ET, Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center Student Union, 10501 FGCU Blvd, South Fort Myers, FL 33965. Offers a full day of presentations and interaction with over 200 of Southwest Florida's land managers, contractors, consultants and landowners. It is held at Florida Gulf Coast University, inside the student union building. The workshop is free and CEU's will be provided. Contact Erin Myers, erin_myers@fws.gov; (239) 657-8009. See link above for details. | | February 3 | Southwest CISMA Workshop: Management of Invasive Grasses: Identification, Control, & Plant Community Restoration (link), 8:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Charlotte County Extension Office, Training Room A, 25550 Harbor View Road, Port Charlotte, FL 33980. Includes grass morphology and biology, herbicides and management of invasive grasses in Florida natural areas, pastures and aquatic areas. Class is limited to 40 participants and registration is $25.00 , which includes lunch. 5 CEUs each of 'Demonstration and Research', 'Right-of-Way', Ornamental and Turf, Natural Areas Weed Mgmt., Aquatic, Forestry, and Private Applicator-Ag will be provided. Contact Ralph E. Mitchell at Ralph.Mitchell@charlottecountyfl.gov , or (941) 764-4344. See link above for details. | | February 9 | Organic Spinach Production Workshop (link), 1-4 pm, UF/IFAS Plant Science Research & Education Unit, 2556 West Highway 318, Citra, FL 32113. Free. See link above for details and registration | | February 9 | Florida Agricultural Policy Outlook Conference (link), 9 am to 4 pm, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Balm, FL. Provided by UF/IFAS Food and Resource Economics Dept. $50 registration fee. | | February 10 | Small Scale Mushroom Production (link), UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-1725 ext.102 | | March 9 | Forest Stewardship Tour at Lloyd Adams' NuView Properties in Columbia County (pdf link) , 9 am to 2 pm ET. Join us to learn about longleaf pine regeneration, prescribed fire and habitat enhancements for a variety of wildlife species. Take this opportunity to meet your County Forester, County Extension Agent, Landowner Assistance Biologists, and other resource partners that can provide management assistance, cost-share opportunities, forest certification and many other resources. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register at https://fsp-tour030917.eventbrite.com/ or call Columbia County Extension at (386) 758-1030 to reserve a space. | | March 10-11 | University of Florida 2017 Bee College (link), Whitney Marine Laboratory for Bioscience, 9505 N Oceanshore Blvd, Marineland, FL 32137. Provided by the UF Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab. See link above for details and registration. | | March 13-14
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March 17-18 | Starting a Successful Hydroponic Business (link),UF/IFAS Suwannee Valley Agricultural Extension Center, Live Oak, FL. See link above for details and registration or contact Dilcia Toro at dtoro@ufl.edu or (386) 362-1725 ext.102 | | March 16 | Forest Stewardship Workshop: Sell Your Timber for what it's Worth (pdf link), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension Office, 543350 US Highway 1, Callahan, FL 32011. Join us to learn the necessary steps to get the best return on your timber investment and meet your forest management objectives. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. More details to be posted. Register at http://fsp-workshop031617.eventbrite.com/ or call Nassau County Extension (904) 530-6353 to reserve a space. | | April 21 | Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (pdf link), 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Auditorium, Ocala, FL. Join us to learn about identifying and controlling some of the most troublesome invasive exotic plants like cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern, Old World climbing fern, Chinese tallowtree and others. We'll also address exotic animals, such as feral hogs, that are causing big headaches for forestry and agricultural producers. Earn pesticide applicator CEUs and forestry CFEs and connect with partnership and assistance opportunities! Presented by the Big Scrub Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and Florida Forest Stewardship Program. $10 fee includes lunch and materials. Register at https://fsp-workshop042117.eventbrite.com/ or call Marion County Extension at (352) 671-8400 to reserve a space. | | May 8-11 | 2017 Aquatic Weed Control Short Course (link), 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! The Short Course is designed to benefit both new and experienced applicators alike. Register by February 27 at the early rate of $245, and save $50! See link above for details and registration. Questions? Call Mandy Stage, Short Course Coordinator, (352) 392-5930, mstage@ufl.edu | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | January 29-31 | Southeastern SAF 2017 Annual Meeting: "Sustaining Southeastern Forestry - Healthy Forests, Markets and Policy" (link), Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, FL. This event is approved for 9.0 SAF Category 1-CF Hours. Contact: Sharon Dolliver, sesafbusmgr@windstream.net | | February 23 | Breakfast on the Back Forty: Wild Turkey Management Workshop (pdf link), 8:00 am to 12:00 pm CT, forest property located 1 mile south of Hwy 85 N near Laurel Hill, FL. Join us to learn how to enhance habitat for wild turkey and other wildlife on your property. Breakfast will be provided free of charge but you must pre-register by February 16, 2017. See link above for details. To pre-register contact Billie Clayton at (850) 767-3634. | | March 6-7 | ForestHER Workshop (link), Coffee County Extension Office, 1055 E Mckinnon St, New Brockton, AL 36351. This hands-on workshop will help women learn about forests and forest resource management in a relaxed, fun setting. Learn to read maps and measure and market timber and non-timber forest products including wildlife. Presented by Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. $70 fee. See link above for workshop times and registration or contact Bence Carter, (334) 894-5596, jbc0057@aces.edu | | May 22-25 | GIS Workshop: Applied Geospatial Solutions in Natural Resources (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. See link above for details. | | June 12-15 | Advanced GIS Workshop: Python scripting and GIS Programming (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32312. See link above for details. | | WEBINARS | | February 14 | Science/Technology Webinar: Cover Crop Management for the Southeast (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | February 15 | Forest Health Webinar: Forest Management for Wildlife (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and to join. | | February 23 | Science/Technology Webinar: Introduction to Plant Identification (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | March 29 | Forest Health Webinar: Hemlock Wooly Adelgid (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and to join. | | April 19 | Forest Health Webinar: Southern Pine Beetle (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details and to join. | | | | *** |
