Friday, January 27, 2017

Florida Land Steward Update 1/27/17

FLORIDA LAND STEWARD UPDATE
January 27, 2017


Have Land?  Get a Plan and Stay Connected.  Florida Land Steward is your source of assistance, information, events and resources.


News, information and upcoming events below.  
Please share this update with your neighbors, colleagues and others that may be interested.

*- Link to the current quarterly Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Fall-Winter 2016, Vol 5, No 4) and back issues -*

 

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
or
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.

***


More events on these sites and web calendars:

UF/IFAS Web Calendar

Florida Forest Stewardship Calendar

http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/events_calendar.html

http://www.floridainvasives.org/

Florida Master Naturalist Program

Florida Native Plant Society Chapters:  http://www.fnps.org/chapters/chapters

Brooker Creek Preserve Events, Pinellas County

Florida Forest Service Training Opportunities

Forestry and Natural Resources Webinars

Check with your UF/IFAS County Extension Office for more events
and information relevant to your county:

http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu/map/

On Facebook? Visit and Like   Florida Land Steward on Facebook

 

 

Florida Land Steward Partnership:

 

UF/IFAS SCHOOL OF FOREST RESOURCES & CONSERVATION
UF/IFAS DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION

FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

USDA NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE PARTNERS PROGRAM
PENINSULAR FLORIDA LANDSCAPE COOPERATIVE

FLORIDA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION / SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE

FLORIDA TREE FARM PROGRAM

 

http://floridalandsteward.org

 

To be added or removed from this service, simply email a request to cdemers@ufl.edu

 

 

 

Updates, Field Day, and Public Comment request

Central Florida Fruit Production News

View this email in your browser

 

CHMA, Public Comment Request on Pyrethroid Use, Upcoming Field Day, and Active Mealybug Infestation Needed for Photos

 

CHMA Reminder
Central Florida CHMA Coordinated Application - pyrethroid or insecticide on January 30 to February 6, 2017.

Public Comment on Pyrethroid Insecticides Requested

ALL pyrethroid insecticides (bifenthrin, Warrior/Karate, Mustang Max, Baythroid, Asana, Permethrin, etc.) are currently undergoing registration review at EPA. Nine are specifically being evaluated, but serve as surrogates for all 19 active ingredients.

The preliminary evaluation shows that all pyrethroids exceed "Levels of Concern" for exposure to aquatic invertebrates. THIS IS MAJOR. If LOCs are exceeded, the exposure must be mitigated. This can be done in a variety of ways, but generally means loss of uses, reduced rates, reduced number of applications, or other use restrictions.
 
IF PYRETHOIDS ARE IMPORTANT IN PRODUCTION OF YOUR CROPS, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT COMMENTS TO EPA ON THIS EVALUATION.

The current deadline is January 31. An extension has been requested but has not been granted as yet. Please comment now if possible.  EPA particularly needs to know why and specifically how you use pyrethroid insecticides.
 
Your comments should include:
Who you are and why you are commenting (grower, consultant, etc.; acres grown and other pertinent information as to your qualifications).
Why pyrethroids are important to you (why you use them over other products; why alternatives are not adequate or preferred; etc.)
YOUR USE PATTERNS (be very specific if at all possible):
For EACH crop (and possibly season) indicate which pyrethroid(s) you use, the pest(s) targeted, the use rate, number of applications, re-treatment interval, and pre-harvest interval (particularly if a short PHI is necessary).

 
The general importance of pyrethroids is important (about the only broad spectrum products we have left), but the specific use information is needed to adjust the exposure estimates.
 
Submitting comments:
This is more difficult than it should be.
Note:  While comments can be made under docket numbers for any of the pyrethroids, EPA has agreed that comments for all pyrethroids are to be submitted in the lamda-cyhalothrin docket.
 
Go to
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2010-0480-0019 (Regulations.gov webpage); the summary does not mention pyrethoids, but this is the place (pyrethroids are in the table at the bottom of this document); click the "Comment Now!" button on the upper right of page and follow the instruction.

An alternative  user friendly option is the Pyrethroid Working Group site:
Go to
https://www.votervoice.net/PWG/campaigns/48706/respond  and follow their instructions. This site includes a template and suggestions for the information submitted.
 
It is a very good idea to compose and review your comments in a WORD document (or other program) before submitting them to EPA. Please provide constructive criticism and useful information that will allow EPA to conduct a more accurate (and hopefully friendly) evaluation of the pyrethroids.



Field Day: CRDF Soil Microbial Amendment and Rootstocks 
DUDA, LaBelle Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 9:30 AM

This Soil Amendment experiment, which is replicated in two other sites in Florida, was established in 2014 on 11 year-old Valencia/Swingle trees (maintained by Duda Inc.) to evaluate the ability of 5 soil microbe amendment products to promote tree health in the presence of HLB. The 5 soil amendments:

  • Serenade Soil (Bayer CropScience)
  • Aliette (Bayer CropScience)
  • Quantum product line (AE Microbiology)
  • BioFlourish (Triangle Chemical)
  • Ecofriendly Products Citrus Soil Amendment

have been applied at recommended rates in replicated plots (by KAC Ag Research) over the past three seasons and data have been collected on tree growth, bacterial titer, and fruit productivity. Horticultural performance will be discussed and maps provided.

The CRDF Rootstock site is a large replicated, 2 year old trial of Valencia on 6 candidate HLB-tolerant rootstocks compared to standard trees on Swingle. Horticultural performance will be discussed and maps provided.

A CRDF sponsored lunch will follow. Please RSVP by Friday 17 March to Mongi Zekri , UF/IFAS Multi-County Extension Agent,e-mail: maz@ufl.edu Phone:  (863) 674 4092for a head count. Field Day Site
Old Duda Nursery Site (Gate #2) Hwy 29, 8 mi south of Labelle, FL.


Mealybug Infestation? We need to get photos!

Do you have an untreated active mealybug infestation? Dr. Lance Osborne at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center needs photos of people scouting citrus and other crops. Please contact him at lsosborn@ufl.edu.


 

 

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UF/IFAS Extension Lake County · Agriculture Center · 1951 Woodlea Rd. · Tavares, Fl 32778 · USA

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Thursday, January 26, 2017

Weekend Weather and Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Webinars

Behind the cold front entering the region in the overnight, temperatures a few degrees lower than normal can be expected for the next several days, with lows in the low to mid 40s (some upper 30s) and highs in the low to mid 60s.  There should be a slight warmup to normal readings beginning Wednesday.  We will monitor and be back with updates, should we note any significant changes in the forecast.

 

The message below has information on a couple of upcoming USDA – Ag Marketing Service webinars.  One covers upcoming funding that will be available for Farmers Markets and Local Food marketing and the one addressing the procedure for applying for USDA/AMS grants.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Thank you,  

 

Gary K. England

Regional Specialized Extension Agent/Director

Hastings Agricultural Extension Center

595 E. St. Johns Ave.

P.O. Box 728

Hastings, FL 32145-0728

(904) 692-4944

(904) 692-4673 Fax

gke@ufl.edu

 

From: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service [mailto:USDAAMS@public.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2017 11:47 AM
To: England,Gary Keith <gke@ufl.edu>
Subject: Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Webinars

 

Local Foods

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program Webinar

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 2:30 PM EST - 4:30 PM EST

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the availability of $27 million in grants to strengthen market opportunities for local and regional food producers and businesses through the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

AMS will host a webinar to help farmers, producers groups and other potential applicants to understand the program requirements.

Topics covered in the presentation include an overview of the program objectives, eligibility and basic information about the application process. 


Grants.gov Training Webinar

Wednesday, February 8, 2017 2:30 PM EST - 4:30 PM EST

Grants.gov is the website where federal grant-making agencies go to post grant funding opportunities and where the public goes to find and apply for those opportunities. The goal of the presentation is to provide information on how to use the Grants.gov website to apply for AMS grant programs. 

Topics covered in the presentation include the registration process in Duns & Bradstreet, tracking a submitted application, how to find (search)  for funding opportunities and how to apply for those opportunities.


, on behalf of: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service · 1400 Independence Ave., S.W. · Washington, DC 20250

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