Polk Small Farms: Florida Land Steward Update 1/24/14

Florida Land Steward Update January 24, 2014 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.

- Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Fall / Winter (Vol 2, No 4) and back issues -

News & Info Brief

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
In 2014, the University of Florida / IFAS Extension celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Smith-Lever Act, which established the Cooperative Extension Service, a state-by-state national network of educators who extend university-based knowledge to the people. In Florida, Extension allows us all to benefit from the research and education of our land-grant universities, the University of Florida and Florida A&M University.

UF/IFAS Extension has improved the lives of Floridians in many ways. For those reading this newsletter, UF/IFAS Extension has likely helped you in managing your land resources such as timber, wildlife, livestock and row crops. If you’ve learned about conserving water, saving money, or gardening, chances are you learned it from Extension. If you’ve ever been to a 4-H camp or gotten help from a Master Gardener or Master Naturalist, you know Extension.

We, the Extension faculty and staff in the UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, are proud of our accomplishments on this 100th anniversary, and we look continuously toward the future, finding solutions to the challenges we Floridians will face over the next 100 years and sharing them to make life healthier, happier, and more prosperous for you.

USDA EXTENDS CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION DEADLINE TO FEBRUARY 7
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for new enrollments in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) to Feb. 7 for fiscal year 2014.

Some popular enhancements include:
-Using new nozzles that reduce the drift of pesticides, lowering input costs and making sure pesticides are used where they are most needed;
-Modifying water facilities to prevent bats and bird species from being trapped;
-Burning patches of land, mimicking prairie fires to enhance wildlife habitat; and
-Rotating feeding areas and monitoring key grazing areas to improve grazing management.

A CSP self-screening checklist highlights eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.

While local NRCS offices accept CSP applications year round, NRCS evaluates applications during announced ranking periods. To be eligible for this year’s enrollment, producers must have their applications submitted to NRCS by the closing date. Learn more about CSP by visiting the NRCS website or any local USDA service center.

VALENTINE'S DAY DEADLINE FOR FARM AND RANCH LANDS PROTECTION PROGRAM SIGN-UP
Applications are due February 14, 2014 for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program to help Florida farmers and ranchers keep their land in agricultural production. The US Department of Agriculture’s program, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), provides matching funds to sponsoring entities such as State, Tribal or local governments and nongovernmental organizations with existing farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements. Interested landowners must first work with one of these eligible entities with funds necessary to match the federal contribution from NRCS. NRCS provides up to 50 percent of the fair market value of the conservation easement.

Applications should be submitted to the attention of Nina Bhattacharyya, USDA-NRCS, 2614 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL, 32606. NRCS accepts applications for FRPP funding on a continuous basis throughout the year, but to be considered for ranking and selection in fiscal year 2014, applications must be received at the Florida NRCS office by the Feb. 14 deadline. Applications received after this date will be held for a future ranking period.

For more information contact Nina Bhattacharyya, FRPP program manager, 352-338-9554.

2013 TIMBER TAX TIPS AVAILABLE
Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2013 Tax Year is now available. This annual bulletin provides federal income tax reporting tips to assist forest landowners and their advisors in filing their 2013 income tax returns. The information presented is current as of Sept. 15, 2013: http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/coop/programs/loa/tax.shtml

More news and info at the Florida Land Steward Blog

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EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)
January 30	Forest Certification Workshop, 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Madison County Extension Office, Madison, FL. Get certified and ensure your access to forest product markets! Topics include certification systems and process, product chain of custody and more. For details, contact Rose Godfrey, rosa23@ufl.edu, (352) 219-8717. Registration at: http://fcp-workshopmadison.eventbrite.com/?aff=eorg
February 6	Forest Certification Workshop, 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office, Ocala, FL. Get certified and ensure your access to forest product markets! Topics include certification systems and process, product chain of custody and more. For details, contact Rose Godfrey, rosa23@ufl.edu, (352) 219-8717. Registration at: http://fc-workshopocala.eventbrite.com/?aff=eorg
February 8-13	The Annual Meeting of the Society for Range Management (link) , Caribe Royale in Orlando, FL. The theme for the meeting is “From Dusty Trails to Waning Wetlands” to bring drought and water management, a problem we are all so familiar with, to the forefront of the meeting. Foresters, this meeting is approved for a total of 34 Cat 1 CFEs and 48.5 Cat 2 CFEs. See link above for details.
February 13	Forest Stewardship Tour at Horse Creek Farm, property of Charles and Mary Farr, St. Johns County. Forest Stewardship in the wildland-urban interface. Details and registration online: http://fsp-tour021314.eventbrite.com/
February 13	Forest Certification Workshop, 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Suwannee County Extension Office, Live Oak, FL. Get certified and ensure your access to forest product markets! Topics include certification systems and process, product chain of custody and more. For details, contact Rose Godfrey, rosa23@ufl.edu, (352) 219-8717. Registration at: http://fc-workshopliveoak.eventbrite.com/?aff=eorg
February 14	*2014 Tree and Landscape Short Course*, Trinkle Center, Hillsborough Community College Plant City Campus 1206 North Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563. Details and regsitration at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-tree-and-landscape-short-course-tickets-10048927613?aff=eorg
February 20	Forest Certification Workshop, 9 am to 3 pm, UF/IFAS Putnam County Extension Office, East Palatka, FL. Get certified and ensure your access to forest product markets! Topics include certification systems and process, product chain of custody and more. For details, contact Rose Godfrey, rosa23@ufl.edu, (352) 219-8717. Registration at: http://fcp-workshopepalatka.eventbrite.com/?aff=eorg
February 28	Forest Stewardship Workshop: Longleaf Pine Forest Restoration & Management in the Santa Fe River Springshed, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, O’Leno State Park, 410 S.E. O'Leno Park Road, High Springs, FL 32643. Join us to learn about longleaf pine management and how longleaf pine habitat can help protect springs and groundwater. Free, lunch included. Details and registration at http://fsp-workshop022814.eventbrite.com/
March 13	Forest Stewardship Tour at Rocky Creek Timber, property of Jim and Mary Helmers, Levy County. Timber management, prescribed fire, longleaf pine regeneration, pond management. Details and registration online :http://fsp-tour031314.eventbrite.com/
March 15	*Wildlife Food Plot & Forages Field Day*, 10 am — 2 pm, CGQ Ranch, 44003 Artesian Blvd, Callahan, FL 32011-4131. Presented by UF/IFAS Nassau County Extension. Foresters, approved for 3 SAF Cat 1 CFEs. Fee is $15 a person to cover cost of materials. Lunch will be provided by Callahan BBQ and sponsored by Lake Butler Farm Center. Call to Register by March 12: Amanda Burnett, (904) 879-1019, mandab@ufl.edu
May 5-8	*Ignition Planning & Prescribed Fire Techniques for Wildlife*, at the Cecil Commerce Center, 13561 Lake Newman Street, Jacksonville, FL. This training combines classroom lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises on the use of prescribed fire as a management tool for a variety of wildlife and habitats. A full agenda and registration info is available on the chapter website: http://fltws.org/
May 5-8	*2014 Aquatic Weed Short Course* to be held May 5-8, 2014 at the Ft. Lauderdale Coral Springs Marriott Coral Springs, FL. Earn 20+ Florida Pesticide Applicator CEUs. Register by February 28th and save $50! Early Rate: $240. Details and registration at http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/aw/
May 7-9	Florida Beef Cattle Short Course: "Manage Your Enterprise, Manage Your Herd" (link), Alto and Patricia Straughn IFAS Extension Professional Development Center, Gainesville, FL. See link for details.
WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
January 26-28		*Southeastern Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting:* *"12 Tons/ac/yr: The Science of Sustainably Enhancing Southern Pine Productivity"*, Edgewater Beach & Golf Resort - 11212 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL. Landowners and foresters are encouraged to attend and learn the latest on all the different factors that help maximize forest productivity in the South, as well as new insights in harvesting and wood quality. $245 members, $300 nonmembers. Info at http://www.sesaf.org/
February 18		*Deciduous Tree ID in Winter 2014*, Indoor lab, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm, Leon County Extension Auditorium, Twig & Bud Indoor Lab. FREE for City and County staff, greenway volunteers, and UF Extension volunteers (Master Wildlife Conservationists and Master Gardeners), $20 for professionals (materials and CEUs + 6 hours of training); $10 for citizens (materials + 6 hours of training)Details and registration at: http://leonextension2014treeidwinter.eventbrite.com/
February 24 - March 18		*2014 UF/IFAS Basic Beekeeping School, FL Pandhandle (link)*. Taught by Dr. Jamie Ellis and other state and nationally recognized beekeeping experts from the University of Florida Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab and the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection. Classes will be offered via interactive video conferencing at Extension Offices across the Panhandle. The cost for all five classes is $25 per person or $40 for a family, covers course materials and refreshments. See link for details.
February 25		*Decidous Tree ID in Winter 2014*, Field Lab, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Miccosukee Greenway, Bark & Form Field Hike. Details and registration at: http://leonextension2014treeidwinter.eventbrite.com/
March 10-11		*Southeast Regional Mosquito Control Workshop (link)*, 4750 Collegiate Drive; Panama City, FL 32405. Hosted by Public Health Entomology Services at Florida State University; 10 FL Public Health Pesticide Applicator CEUs anticipated; See link above or Contact: Dr. John Smith, (850) 319-9475.
WEBINARS, REGIONAL OR NATIONAL EVENTS, OTHER
January 29		*Webinar: Addressing Resource Concerns: Evaluating, Documenting, and Reporting Progress using NRCS' New Land Use Planning Criteria (link)*, 2 pm ET. See link for details.
January - May		USDA Forest Service Rocky Mtn Research Station presents an Invasive Plants Webinar Series (link), see link for dates and details.
February 4		*Webinar: Insights from an Organic Certifier*, 3 pm ET. See link for details.
February 11		*Webinar: The Biology of Soil Compaction*, 2 pm ET. See link for details.
February 19		*Webinar: Environmental Evaluation Series No. 7: Planning for Natural Areas, Scenic Beauty, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Special Environmental Concerns (link)*, 2 pm ET. See link for details.