Polk Small Farms: Florida Land Steward Update 8/12/16

Florida Land Steward Update
August 12, 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.

*- Link to the current quarterly Florida Land Steward Newsletter (Summer-Fall 2016 (Vol 5, No 3) and back issues -*

News & Info Brief

SUMMER / FALL ISSUE OF THE FLORIDA LAND STEWARD NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
In this issue: Restoring Longleaf at Little Creek Woods, A New Approach to an Old Problem, Connect and Receive Conservation Help from the USDA Online, Southern Pine Beetle Activity Increases in Florida, Timber Price Update, Certified Forest Stewards and Tree Farmers. Current and back issues of FLS here.

JULY / AUGUST ISSUE OF FIRE LINES NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE
In the this issue: Climate Change and Southeastern Fire Potential Revisited, DEET Reduces Flame Resistance of Nomex, Save the Date for Your State's Prescribed Fire Councils' Meetings. Current and back issues of Fire Lines here.

SOUTHERN PINE BEETLE ACTIVITY UPDATE
As of the last update from the Forest Health Section of the Florida Forest Service, Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) Activity in Florida has slowed down and no new active spots have been reported in the past couple weeks, but landowners and foresters should still be on the lookout for new activity. As of August 10, there are 171 reported SPB infestations covering at total of
919 acres. Of that, 526 acres are active and 393 acres are controlled. See the August 10 SPB map here.

FLORIDA PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL MEETINGS SCHEDULED
Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting: September 23, 2016, Osceola Heritage Park, 1875 Silver Spur Ln., Kissimmee, FL 34744. Registration link

North Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting: October 12, 2016, Theatre Tallahassee, 1861 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32303. Registration info to be posted.

More about Florida Prescribed Fire Councils here

USDA NRCS ASSISTANCE HELPS FLORIDA FARMERS, RANCHERS CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance October 21, 2016
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Oct. 21 for financial and technical assistance from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2017 funding. Although applications are accepted on a continuous basis for all programs, funding selections are typically made once a year.

Through EQIP, agricultural landowners may receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related resources. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, pastureland, private non-industrial forestland and other farm or ranch lands. The application deadline also applies to the following EQIP-funded initiatives: Organic Producer Initiative, Seasonal High Tunnels, Energy Initiative, Pollinator Initiative, Everglades Initiative, Longleaf Pine Initiative, National Water Quality Initiative, Working Lands for Wildlife, Gulf of Mexico Initiative, Strikeforce

Begin by visiting your local NRCS field office and requesting help developing a conservation plan. Our experts provide this free service to help you use your natural resources more efficiently. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.

NORTHWEST FLORIDA LANDOWNERS INITIATE NEW FACEBOOK GROUP FOR FLORIDA LAND STEWARDS OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA
By Marcia Booth, Gadsden County Land Steward
As landowners in Gadsden County who have been restoring twenty acres of land to their original natural longleaf pine and wiregrass habitat for the past few years, my husband and I appreciate how difficult and overwhelming land management can be. Maintaining the lifelong health of the land that can be enjoyed by future generations, whether it is restoring a healthy ecosystem for the benefit of wildlife and plants, growing longleaf pines commercially, or creating habitat that attracts wildlife for hunting, is a common goal for landowners.

I am inviting you to join a newly formed Facebook Page and Group for landowners in Northwest Florida who are interested in managing their property responsibly. This independent forum is directed by landowners. I hope you will:

· "Like" the Facebook Page for Florida Land Stewards of Northwest Florida at
https://www.facebook.com/FloridaLandStewardsofNWFlorida/

Check here to see what's up with land stewardship. We'll be posting information and comments about land stewardship, press releases, and resource information to people interested in available programs and resources. No Facebook account is required.

· Join the Facebook Group for Florida Land Stewards of Northwest Florida at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/FloridaLandStewardsofNWFlorida/

Interact directly with other landowners in Northwest Florida to discuss and share your successes and failures with your land restoration, longleaf planting, pollinator habitat, and other conservation practices. Share what has worked for you or what you would have done differently. Ask for advice about federal and state programs, how to get forestry assistance with a burn, safe herbicide use, tree selection, habitat questions, best chainsaw for cutting trees, recommended sources for trees and seeds, or planting crew recommendations. And best of all, you can post before and after photos of your property in a photo album to showcase your success! I know it inspires me to see what other landowners have accomplished. This group does require a Facebook account.

· Share this information with anyone who may be interested.

We need your support and participation in the Northwest FL Stewards group to succeed.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at NaturalEnquirer@gmail.com.

____________
The Statewide Florida Land Steward Partnership FB page is connected to this effort and is at http://www.facebook.com/FloridaLandStewardPartnership

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)
August 12-13	South Florida & Caribbean Bee College (link), UF/IFAS Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center, Davie, FL. Calling all beekeepers, new and experienced, growers, gardeners, and anyone interested in learning about bees and beekeeping. See link above for details and registration.
August 17	Sarasota County Ag Conservation Workgroup, 6:30 pm ET, Sarasota County Fairgrounds, Ken Clark Auditorium, 3000 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota, FL. Local farmers, ranchers and other landowners are invited to participate in a workgroup with Sarasota Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify and prioritize county conservation efforts. Contact Israel Vega or Janie Besselman at (941) 907-0011.
August 18	Ag Conservation Workgroup for Hardee and DeSoto Counties, 2 pm ET at UF/IFAS Hardee County Extension Service Building, 507 Civic Center Drive, Wauchula, FL 33873. Local farmers and ranchers are invited to a workgroup with the Hardee County and the Peace River Soil and Water Conservation District and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify and prioritize county conservation efforts. Contact Dan Schabilion or Marty Rowan at (863) 773-4764 Ext.3
August 19	Feral Swine Workshop, 9:30 am ET, UF/IFAS Marion County Extension Office, 2242 N.E. Jacksonville RD, Ocala, FL. Local farmers, ranchers and forestland owners are invited. Guest speaker Cailey Thomas, USDA/APHIS and Mark Cunningham, DVM. Hosted by FAMU Cooperative Extension and The Florida Black Farmers and Agriculturalist Association. Contact FAMU Extension, (850) 599-3546. Workshop is free and lunch is provided.
August 22	SW FL Small Farmers Network Meeting (link), UF/IFAS GCREC, Wimauma, FL. See link above for For more information and registration or contact UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County at (941)861-9900.
August 29	Polk County Ag Conservation Workgroup, 2-3 pm ET, UF/IFAS Polk County Cooperative Extension Service Office, Brenneman Auditorium, 1702 Hwy 17 South (Spessard Holland Parkway) Bartow, FL 33830. Local farmers, ranchers and forestland owners are invited to participate in a workgroup with USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service to identify resource concerns in Polk County. Contact Ed Sheehan, ( 863) 533-2015 Ext 3.
August 30 - September 1	Florida Forestry Association 2016 Annual Meeting: "Working Forests Work", Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Amelia Island, FL. See link for details or call (850) 222-5646.
September 8-10	Florida Local Food Summit (link), East End Market, Orlando, FL. Provided by Florida Organic Growers, East End Market and Local Roots Distribution. See link above for details.
October 4-6	Private Lands Partners Day: The Northern Everglades - The Land, Water and People (link), Chateau Elan Hotel and Conference Center, Sebring, FL. Hosted by The Partners for Conservation, this event brings together landowners and partners from across the nation to interact with conservation agency leadership from across the country, share stories of partnership, and visit ranches that are models for successful public-private partnerships. See link above for more information.
October 6	Forest Stewardship Tree / Forest Plant ID Field Day (link), 9 am to 3 pm ET, Morningside Nature Center, Gainesville, FL. Join us to learn some strategies to help you identify trees, shrubs and herbaceous species. We will cover some basic skills and put them to work in woods, identifying a sample of sandhill, flatwoods and swamp species in the field. Cost is $10 per person, lunch and materials included. Please register on-line at https://fsp-workshop100616.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.
October 27	Forest Stewardship / Tree Farm Tour at Kenyon and Weeks Farms, Clay County, mark your calendar, more details to be posted.
November 1-2	Treasure Coast Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference, Ft. Pierce, FL. See link above for more information or contact Jose Perez at joseperezoro@ufl.edu, (352) 294-1692.
WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west)
August 25, September 15	Principles of Pasture Productivity Workshop Series (link), 6:30 pm CT, UF/IFAS Calhoun County Extension Office, Blountstown, FL. Provided by UF/IFAS, this series will help livestock producers gain a better understanding of pasture productivity. There is a $25 registration fee for the entire series or $10 per session. Light refreshments and printed program materials will be provided. See link above for details and registration or contact Calhoun County Extension Office at (850) 674-8323.
September 13	Principles of Pasture Productivity Workshop Series (link), 6:30 pm CT, UF/IFAS Washington County Extension Office, Chipley, FL. Provided by UF/IFAS, this series will help livestock producers gain a better understanding of pasture productivity. There is a $25 registration fee for the entire series or $10 per session. Light refreshments and printed program materials will be provided. See link above for details and registration or contact Washington County Extension Office at (850) 638-6180.
August 27	FAMU Grape Harvest Festival, 8 am - 4 pm ET, FAMU Center for Viticulture and Small Fruit Research, 6505 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32317.
September 15	Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (link), 9 am to 3 pm ET, Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve Training Center, 108 Island Drive Eastpoint, FL 32328. Provided by Apalachicola Regional Stewardship Alliance and Florida Forest Stewardship Program. $10 fee covers materials and lunch. FDACS Pesticide applicator CEUs approved: 2.0 General Standards/Core 487, 2.0 General Standards Core 482, 3.0 Private Applicator, 2.0 Ag Row Crop, 3.0 Forestry, 3.0 Natural Areas Weed Mgmt, 3.0 ROW, 1.0 Limited Wildlife Trapper. SAF CFEs also approved: 2.0 Cat 1 and 2.0 Cat 2.. Please register on-line at http://www.gulfalliancetraining.org/detail.aspx?Id=118 or you can reserve a space by contacting Anita Grove at the Reserve at (850) 670-7708, Anita.Grove@dep.state.fl.us
September 27	Forest Stewardship Workshop: Use Prescribed Fire Safely and Effectively (link), 8:30 am to 3 pm CT, Blackwater State Forest Bear Lake Pavilion, Munson, FL. 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-workshop092716.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Bethany at the UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Extension Office at (850) 675-6654.
October 11	Panhandle Fruit & Vegetable Conference (link), Jackson County Agricultural Complex, Marianna, FL. To register online click here or contact Jose Perez at joseperezoro@ufl.edu, (352) 294-1692
October 14	Florida Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Tour and Awards Ceremony, Leon County, at the Register Family Partnership Tree Farm near Woodville, FL, just south of Tallahassee. Mark your calendar. More details to come.
October 25-28	Prescribed Fire for Wildlife (link), Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Provided by the Florida Wildlife Society, Tall Timbers, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Details to be posted at link above or contact Jim Schortemeyer, schortfire@aol.com, (239) 455-5847.
WEBINARS, REGIONAL EVENTS
August 17, September 21, October 19, November 16	Wildlife Wednesday Webinar (link), 12:15 - 1:00 pm ET, provided by Pinellas and Polk UF/IFAS Extension. See link above for details and registration.
Aug 25, Sep 22, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 15	Your Legacy, Your Land Monthly Webinar Series (link), provided by American Forest Foundation. See link for details.
October 25-26	Forest inSight Conference East (link), Oconee Civic Center, Watkinsville, GA. The purposed of the conference is to present and demonstrate how genetic and silviculture decisions can optimize production efficiency and profits. See link above for details and registration.