| NEWS & INFO BRIEF
HURRICANE DAMAGE TO TIMBER STANDS? SIGN UP FOR EMERGENCY FOREST RESTORATION ASSISTANCE FROM THE USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) that provides disaster assistance for private non-industrial forest landowners who have incurred damage to their existing forest stands by natural disasters, including Hurricane Irma. Funding may be provided at a rate of up to 75% of the cost to implement forest restoration practices as determined by FSA county committees.
Landowners who may be interested in this assistance are encouraged to contact their local FSA office as soon as possible for additional information and to sign up for this assistance as the enrollment period is typically open for 60 days after a qualifying event. Program details at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-forest-restoration/index Check with your local FSA office to find out about EFRP sign-up periods. HURRICANE DAMAGE TO PROPERTY? USDA NRCS EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM CAN HELP
If your area suffers damage from a natural disaster, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help. The Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) relieves imminent hazards to life and property caused by floods, fires, windstorms and hurricanes. Aid may include financial and technical assistance to remove debris from streams, protect destabilized stream banks and establish cover on critically eroding lands and purchase flood plain easements. The public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but must be represented by a project sponsor, such as a city, county, conservation district or a Native American tribe or organization. NRCS provides technical assistance and pays up to 75 percent of the construction. Local sources contribute the remaining portion in the form of cash or in-kind services. The process begins when the sponsor requests assistance from a local NRCS office. Staff visit the site and determine eligibility based on damage, property protected, environmental impacts and economic analysis, then request funding from the NRCS national office. If Congress appropriates funds, the sponsor enters into a cooperative agreement to complete the work. FARM AID PARTNERING WITH FLORIDA ORGANIC GROWERS TO ASSIST FARMERS IN NEED AFTER RECENT HURRICANES
Family farmers in Florida and the U.S. Virgin Islands can now access much-needed relief funding following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Farm Aid has partnered with FOG to distribute emergency relief grants to help farmers meet household expenses. You do not need to be an organic farm to be eligible. For more information see:
http://www.foginfo.org/our-programs/application-farm-aid-disaster-relief-assistance/ CONGRATULATIONS JOHN AND ALLISON NASH: 2017 FLORIDA TREE FARMERS OF THE YEAR
John and Allison Nash are recognized for their outstanding forest stewardship and have been selected as Florida's Outstanding Tree Farm of 2017. Join us for a tour, lunch and awards ceremony on Friday, October 20, 2017 at Osceola Pines. Learn about sustainable forest and wildlife habitat management and connect with the local and statewide professionals and resources that are available to assist in your land management. Most of the tour will involve riding in vans or open trailers with several discussion stops and a short walk or two. Please wear appropriate clothing, footwear and bring rain gear in case of wet weather. This event is free but pre-registration is required. Reserve a space by calling Whitney at the Florida Forestry Association, (850) 222-5646. Space will be limited and the registration deadline is October 13. More details are here.
ASSISTANCE HELPS FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND FOREST OWNERS TO CONSERVE NATURAL RESOURCES
Application deadline for financial assistance November 17
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners can apply until Nov. 17 for financial and technical assistance from USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2018 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, and Strikeforce. It all starts with a plan. Call or visit your local NRCS field office and request help in developing a conservation plan. To learn about technical and financial assistance available from NRCS, go to Getting Started with NRCS.
RESOURCES FOR STORM DAMAGE RECOVERY
The ProForest team has compiled a list of resources for storm damage preparedness and recovery. We hope these resources are useful for forest landowners and managers in the aftermath of Irma and to be prepared for future events:
http://proforesthealth.org/news/articles/resources-for-storm-damage-preparedness-and-recovery
FLORIDA PRESCRIBED FIRE COUNCIL MEETINGS COMING UP (link) - Central Florida PFC, rescheduled to November 13, 2017, Osceola Heritage Center, Kissimmee, FL, Meeting Registration
- South Florida Fire PFC, October 24, 2017, Palm Beach County Vista Center – West Palm Beach, FL. Details to be posted at Florida Forest Service link above.
- North Florida PFC, October 25, 2017, Theater Tallahassee, Tallahassee, FL. Details to be posted at Florida Forest Service link above.
SIGN UP FOR 2017 COGONGRASS TREATMENT COST-SHARE PROGRAM
Deadline extended for a limited time-
A Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program is again offered to eligible non-industrial private landowners by the Florida Forest Service (FFS) through temporary grants from the USDA Forest Service. The primary objective of this program is to reduce the spread of cogongrass to new areas by helping private landowners control or eradicate existing infestations. Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) is a non-native, invasive grass that is established in Florida and several other southeastern states. In addition to being regulated as a state and federal noxious weed, cogongrass is a pest plant in 73 countries, and has been recognized as one of the "Top 10 Worst Weeds in the World." Cogongrass infestations negatively affect tree regeneration, growth and survival, as well as wildlife habitat, native plant diversity, forage quality and property values. They also increase the risk of wildfires and alter fire behavior. See http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg202 for more information about this pest.
The Cost-Share Program offers reimbursement of up to 50% of the cost of herbicide treatment of cogongrass infestations on non-industrial private land for two consecutive years. The maximum reimbursement is $100 per year for treatment of up to one acre, and $75/acre per year for any additional area. There is no minimum size, and qualified applicants may apply to treat up to a maximum of 133 acres of infested area. Applications must be submitted through the County Forester where the property is located. For more information see the Program website at: http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Cogongrass-Program or contact your Florida Forest Service County Forester. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR JOINT CHIEF'S LANDSCAPE RESTORATION PARTNERSHIP
Due October 17
The U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are requesting proposals for funding consideration in fiscal year (FY) 2018 within the Joint Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership (JCLRP). The intent of the partnership is to achieve measurable objectives through restoration projects that coordinate conservation activities on public and private lands. Projects funded will enable collaboration among the Forest Service, NRCS, and many local, non-governmental, Tribal, and landowner stakeholders. Request letter and proposal template here. SOMETHING BUGGING YOUR TREES? - CHECK OUT THE NEW DIAGNOSTICS FORUM
Hosted by a group of forest and tree health specialists with Southeastern universities and agencies, we are here to help identify pests and diseases in your forest or your backyard, and to recommend a solution, if appropriate. Join the group and report your tree health issue! Visit the new Forest Health Diagnostic forum on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernTreeHealthDiagnostics/
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) | | October 13 | Turpentining in Florida: Past, Present, Future? (link), 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Austin Cary Forest, Gainesville, FL. The Association of Consulting Foresters, University of Florida, and Society of American Foresters are pleased to host a program on this important part of Florida's past, present, and future. Includes tour of the new A. Chester Skinner Jr. Turpentine Education Site at the Forest. SAF CFEs approved. $15 fee covers program and lunch. Register at https://tinyurl.com/y9u2d9ze | | October 15-18 | Master Gardner Volunteer Training Conference (link), St. Johns County Convention Center at Renaissance World Golf Village, St. Augustine, FL. There will be 20 concurrent sessions to choose from in four different tracks covering general horticulture, gardening, diagnostics and Florida-Friendly Landscaping. See link above for details and registration. | | October 18-19 | Grass Identification Workshop, Florida Chapter of The Wildlife of The Wildlife Society (link), UF/IFAS Range Cattle REC, 3401 Experiment Station, Ona, FL 33865. This 2-day workshop will be taught by Brent Sellers and Greg Hendricks, and will include indoor and outdoor classroom exercises in identification and management of native and invasive grasses in Central Florida. Registration is $35.00 for FLTWS members, $15.00 for students, and $60.00 for non-members. Class size is limited so please register soon. The deadline for registration is October 11, 2017, but late registration may be allowed if slots are still available at a cost of $70.00. | | October 19 | Forest Stewardship Field Day: Forest Plant Identificaation (link), 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, ET Morningside Nature Center, 3540 East University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32641. 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 the woods, identifying a sample of sandhill, flatwoods and swamp species in the field. See link above for details. $10 fee includes lunch and materials. Register on-line at https://fsp-workshop101917.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375. | | October 20 | 2017 Florida Tree Farm of the Year Tour at Osceola Pines, property of John and Allison Nash, Levy County (link), 9 am ET, adjourn after lunch. Join us for a tour, lunch and awards ceremony John and Allison Nash's Osceola Pines property in Levy County. Learn about sustainable forest and wildlife habitat management and connect with the local and statewide professionals and resources that are available to assist in your land management. Most of the tour will involve riding in vans or open trailers with several discussion stops and a short walk or two. Contact Florida Forestry Association, (850) 222-5646, to sign up. | | October 26 | Allison Acres - Exceptional Organic Blueberries (link), 9 am to 1 pm, Allison Acres, 4336 NE Hwy 159, Pinetta, FL 32350. Provided by Florida Organic Growers. Details and registration linked above. | | October 28 | J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area Bioblitz (link), 8:00 am to 1:00 pm ET. J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, Everglades Youth Conservation Center, 12100 Seminole Pratt Whitney Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33412. Bioblitz = trying to find as many plant and animal species as possible in a given amount of time. You will go out into the field with experts to locate and identify species in a variety of habitats. See link above for details and registration. | | November 6-7 | Fruit Crop Management Short Course (link), UF/IFAS Citrus Research and Education Center, 700 Experiment Station Road, Lake Alfred, FL 33850. The Course will cover crop management topics such as flowering, dormancy, irrigation, nutrition, fruit set, and more. Speakers are experts from Florida and across the nation. See link above for details. | | November 15 | Florida Tree Farm Tour: Managing Pine Forests for Multiple Goals, Pinkoson Property, Alachua County (link), 9:30 am to 1 pm. This tour will feature premier longleaf pine forest habitat with a rich groundcover, demonstrations of management activities to improve pine forests, and discussions about wildlife habitat enhancement, sources of assistance and forest certification. Join us to explore the possibilities upland pine forest management has to offer, learn about sustainable forest and wildlife habitat management, and connect with the local and statewide professionals and resources that are available to assist in your land management. See link above for details. Reserve a space by contacting Dave Conser, Dave.Conser@FreshFromFlorida.com, (352) 395-4927. | | November 28 - December 2 | FireVision 20/20: A 20 Year Reflection and Look into the Future: 7th International Fire Ecology & Management Congress (link), Buena Vista Palace Resort, Orlando, FL. This event will offer an exciting blend of learning opportunities for fire managers, natural resource professionals, policy and administrative leaders, and the academic and research community. Presentations will feature the latest in research results and applications. See link above for details and registration. | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | October 5 | Forest Stewardship Tour at David and Cindi Stewart's Sandhills Farm, Jackson County (pdf link), FULL - Registration closed. 9 am to 2 pm CT. Join us to learn about longleaf pine regeneration, prescribed fire, forest groundcover and habitat enhancements for a variety of wildlife species. Take this opportunity to meet your County Forester, UF/IFAS County Extension Agent, Landowner Assistance Biologists, and other resource partners that can provide management assistance, cost-share opportunities, forest certification and many other resources. | | October 7 | 2017 UF/IFAS North Florida REC Art, Garden and Farm Family Festival (link), 9 am to 2 pm ET, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, Quincy, FL. Free and open to the community, join us for a kids zone, pumpkin patch, trolley and walking tours, and concessions. See link above for details. | | October 17 | Longleaf Pine Forest Management Workshop (pdf link), 10 am to 2 pm ET, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Rd., Quincy, FL 32351. Topics will include longleaf pine establishment and management techniques to improve forest health and wildlife habitat. Lunch included. Free but pre-registration required. Contact David Findley (850) 681-5896, David.Findley@freshfromflorida.com for more details and registration. | | October 19 | Working Forests Workshop, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm CT, UF/IFAS Jackson County Agriculture Conference Center, 2741 Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 3, Marianna, FL 32448. In conjunction with the National Working Forests Awareness Week, the Florida Forest Service Chipola District will host a workshop for Tree Farmers, forest landowners, and forestry and natural resource professionals. The workshop will focus on forestry related programs. The program will include a visit one or more forest product mills in the area. More more information or to reserve a space, contact Hannah Bowers, (850) 625-6621, Hannah.Bowers@FreshFromFlorida.com | | October 19 | Duff Fire Science and Management Workshop (link), 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, FSU Marine Lab. St. Teresa, FL. Join us to bridge the gap between science and management when it comes to issues related to duff fires in southeastern upland ecosystems. Presentations will include the latest science and management information related to pine mortality associated with fires in sites with heavy duff loads. See link for details and registration. | | October 20 | Tree Farm Workshop: Forestry 101 (pdf link), 8:30 am to 1:30 pm CT, Pace Community Center, 5976 Chumuckla Highway, Pace, FL 32571. Lunch will be provided. Contact Cathy Hardin, (850) 587-5237, Cathy.Hardin@FreshFromFlorida.com for details and registration. | | WEBINARS | | October 10 | HIREDnAG Webinar: Connecting Health Insurance and Agricultural Viability—Helping Farmers and Ranchers Address Health-related Risks,
1:30-3:30 ET, see link above for details and registration. | | October 17 | National Ecosystem Services Partnership Webinar: Ecosystem Services and National Forest Policy (link), 1:30 - 2:45 pm ET, see link for registration. | | October 18 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: This-or-That? Florida's Birds (link), 12:15 to 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | | October 31 | Science & Technology Webinar: Restoring Native Plant Communities: Soil and Hydrology Suited Planning Tools (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | November 15 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: This-or-That? Florida's Wildlife (link), 12:15 to 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | *** |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Tell us what you think! Please use common sense and good judgement. Comments will be moderated if necessary.