Polk Small Farms: Florida Land Steward Update 3/4/16

Florida Land Steward Update
March 4, 2016

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.

- Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Winter-Spring 2016 (Vol 5, No 1) and back issues -

News & Info Brief

NEW EVENTS ADDED THIS WEEK à

FEDERAL TAX INCENTIVES FOR CONSERVATION EASEMENTS MADE PERMANENT
Enhanced Federal tax incentives for conservation easement donations are now permanent:

· Raises the deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30 percent of his or her income in any year to 50 percent;

· Allows qualifying farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100 percent of their income; and

· Extends the carry-forward period for a donor to take tax deductions for a voluntary conservation agreement from 5 to 15 years.

These private, voluntary agreements with land trusts or agencies permanently limit use of the land in order to protect its conservation value. Lands placed into conservation easements can continue to be timbered, farmed, hunted and managed based on the objectives of the landowner.

For more information about conservation easements, see our UF/IFAS Extension publication about them at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fr149. For more about the incentive download the Land Trust Alliance's printer-friendly brochure (Using The Conservation Tax Incentive) for landowners, including frequently asked questions. Also, read a memo from the Internal Revenue Service (Internal Revenue Bulletin) offering guidance regarding deductions by individuals for qualified conservation contributions.

FUNDING HELPS AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS IMPROVE WORKING LANDS
Application Deadline March 31 for Conservation Stewardship Program
Agricultural producers can sign up for funding available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), a conservation program that helps improve the health and productivity of private and tribal working lands. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to add an estimated 10 million acres to the rolls of CSP during fiscal 2016.

NRCS accepts applications for CSP throughout the year, but producers should submit applications by March 31 to USDA service centers to be considered for enrollment in 2016. Participants with existing CSP contracts that will expire on Dec.31, 2016, have the option to renew their contracts for an additional five years if they agree to adopt additional activities to achieve higher levels of conservation on their lands. Applications to renew are also due by March 31. In Florida, producers can participate through CSP in the regional landscape-level Longleaf Pine Initiative. Funding is available for many types of enhancements to help participants:

· Improve soil quality through use of cover crops, conservation crop rotations and other activities that increase soil productivity.

· Use water wisely and improve water quality through enhancements such as more efficient irrigation systems and weather monitoring.

· Restore habitat for wildlife and pollinators such as the greater sage-grouse, lesser prairie-chicken and monarch butterfly through the use of better grazing systems and improved plant management.

For more on technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted. Learn more at your local NRCS office.

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 has been updated and includes recent tax law changes. This publication and other related resources are available at http://www.timbertax.org.

Linda's Timber Tax Filing for the 2015 Tax Year webinar was recorded. The presentation and materials are available at:
http://www.conservationwebinars.net/webinars/timber-tax-filing-for-the-2015-tax-year

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

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EAST FLORIDA (Madison County, east and south)
March 9-11	Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council 2016 Annual Conference, Crown Plaza Oceanfront, Melbourne, FL. Foresters, this event is approved for a total of 15 Cat 1 CFEs. See link for details and registration.
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
March 17	Forest Stewardship / Tree Farm Tour at the Arnold Tract (link), Levy County, FL. 9 am to 2 pm ET. Join us to learn about converting old agriculture fields and pasture to pine forest, controlling invasive exotic species, wildlife habitat improvements, Best Management Practices, available assistance and more. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register online at https://fsp-tour031716.eventbrite.com/ or contact Chris Demers, (352) 846-2375, cdemers@ufl.edu to register. More details to come.
March 23	Florida Forest Service Landowner Workshop, Madison County, 9 am, UF/IFAS Madison County Extension Office, 184 College Loop, Madison, FL 32340. Meet the Madison County Forester and ask questions about timber management, prescribed burning, wildlife considerations, potential cost-share opportunities, or anything else regarding your woodland management objectives. Reserve a space by calling the Madison County Extension Office at (850) 973-4138, or Reaette Langford, Florida Forest Service, at (850) 973-5100.
March 23	Urban Landscape Summit (link), UF/IFAS Straughn Extension Professional Development Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Provided by the UF Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology, the event will feature presentations of applied research or extension projects pertaining to urban landscape issues in Florida. Topics include, but are not limited to, water, landscape management, urban pest issues, social issues, economics, and more. See link for details and registration
March 29	Private Applicator Pest Control Workshop, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Clay County Extension Office, Green Cove Springs, FL. A total of 6 CEUs (3 CORE + 3 Private Applicator) have been requested for this program. $20 fee, registration by cash or check only. For registration, contact the Clay County Extension Service at (904) 284-6355.Register by March 25.
March 30	Florida State Technical Advisory Committee Meeting, 10 am - 2 pm ET, Doyle Conner Building, 1911 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL. Public, ag producers, natural resource interest groups invited. Hosted by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Contact: Jeff Woods, (352) 338-9515.
April 1-2	Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference: "Strengthening Local Food Systems with Diversity" (link), Fort Myers, FL. See link above for details.
April 13-15	Florida Chapter Wildlife Society Spring Meeting 2016 (link), Holiday Inn Gainesville, University Center, 1250 W. University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601. See link above for details.
April 28	Forest Stewardship Workshop: Use Prescribed Fire Safely and Effectively (link), 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. $10 fee covers lunch and materials. Register on-line at https://fsp-workshop042816.eventbrite.com/, or reserve a space by contacting Chris Demers at (352) 846-2375, cdemers@ufl.edu.
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 17	Commercial Citrus for North Florida (link) , 8:30 am to 2:00 pm ET, UF/IFAS Taylor County Extension Office, Perry, FL. See link above for details and registration.
May 18-19	44th Annual Spring Symposium: Advances in Southern Pine Silviculture (link), UF Austin Cary Forest Learning Center. Sponsored by UF/IFAS School of Forest Resources and Conservation and Florida Society of American Foresters. Register online
WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
March 7, 14, 21	Beekeeping in the Panhandle Short Course (link), 6 to 8 pm at UF/IFAS County Extension Offices across the Northwest FL District. Contact your UF/IFAS County Extension Office for details.
March 31	Quail Management Workshop (link), 8 am to 3 pm CT, Gum Creek Lodge, Okaloosa County. Provided by Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Yellow River Conservation District. See flier linked above for details. Lunch will be provided. Pre-register by March 25, 2016 by contacting Billie Clayton at (850) 767‐3634.
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
Mar 24, Apr 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug 25, Sep 22, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 15	Your Legacy, Your Land Monthly Webinar Series, provided by American Forest Foundation. See link for details.
March 8	Webinar: Integrating Grazing into Cropping Systems (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details.
March 17	Webinar: Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation in Organic Production (link), 3 pm ET, See link for details.
March 23	Webinar: Landscapes for Butterfly Conservation (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details.
March 30	Webinar: Conservation Planning Considerations for Outdoor Swine Operations (link), 2 pm ET, See link for details.
April 7	Webinar: Green Leap: Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development (link), 1 pm ET, See link for details.