| NEWS & INFO BRIEF
SECRETARY PERDUE ANNOUNCES TONY TOOKE AS NEW FOREST SERVICE CHIEF
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced Tony Tooke will serve as the new Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. Tooke has worked for the Forest Service since age 18 and currently is the Regional Forester for the Southern Region. Read full release here.
JULY / AUGUST ISSUE OF SOUTHERN FIRE EXCHANGE'S FIRE LINES NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE
This issue of our bimonthly newsletter has the following articles sharing resources, news, and upcoming events from around the Southeast region and nationwide: FireVision 20/20 AFE Int'l Fire Congress Details, Duff Fire Science and Management Workshop, Provide LANDFIRE Feedback, New SFE Outreach Specialist, SFE Webinar Recordings Available, New Factsheet on Spotfires and Escapes, USFS issues new report on the History of Wildland Fire Science, New resources from NWCG, Updated Simple Smoke Screening Tool Available, Think about Fine Fuels When Planning Longleaf Pine Restoration, and Upcoming events, news and reminders. NEED A LOAN TO FUND CONSERVATION PROJECTS? CHECK OUT THE USDA FARM SERVICE AGENCY'S GUARANTEED CONSERVATION LOAN PROGRAM
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) guarantees loans to promote conservation practices on farms and ranches that help protect natural resources. The goal of FSA's Conservation Loan (CL) program is to provide access to credit for farmers who need and want to implement conservation measures on their land, but do not have the "up front" funds available to implement these practices. For more information see this Conservation Loan Program Fact Sheet. Also see this table summarizing FSA farm loan opportunities. The Conservation Contract Program is a program for eligible landowners that protects important natural resources and other sensitive areas while providing a debt management tool. A conservation contract is available to people with Farm Service Agency (FSA) direct loans secured by real estate. These individuals may qualify for a reduction of their FSA indebtedness in exchange for a conservation contract with a term of 50, 30 or 10 years. The conservation contract is a voluntary legal agreement that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on portions of the landowner's property. Contracts may be established on marginal cropland and other environmentally sensitive lands for conservation, recreation and wildlife purposes. For more information see this Conservation Contract Program Fact Sheet. The FSA provides several types of farm loans. For more information on these opportunities, see the Florida FSA Website or contact your local FSA office to speak with a local representative 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. 2017 LONGLEAF PINE PRIVATE LANDOWNER INCENTIVE PROGRAM
Deadline extended to September 15 for central FL area-
The Florida Forest Service is still accepting applications for the Longleaf Pine Private Landowner Incentives Program in Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Lake, Levy, Marion, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. The objective of this Program is to increase the acreage of healthy longleaf pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners to make the long-term investment required to establish and maintain this valuable ecosystem. Toward this end, the program offers NIPF landowners technical guidance and incentive payments for conducting certain approved forest management practices that help establish or improve longleaf pine stands. The program offers incentive payments for: longleaf pine seedling establishment, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, native plant understory establishment, mechanical underbrush treatments, invasive exotic plant treatment. All payments are made at specified per-acre or per-seedling rates. This extension is limited to Alachua, Bradford, Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Lake, Levy, Marion, Orange, Putnam, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia Counties. Qualified landowners may apply for up to four approved practices per year. The minimum tract size requirement is 10 acres, and funding requests may not exceed $10,000. Only one application per landowner is permitted per year.
Contact your Florida Forest Service County Forester to apply. 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. FLORIDA TREE FARMERS: TIME FOR A FIVE-YEAR INSPECTION?
The Florida Tree Farm Program requests that certified Tree farmers, who have been certified in the American Tree Farm System for five years, contact a Tree Farm inspector to have their Tree Farm reinspected. All Tree Farms must be inspected every five years in order to verify activity and maintain the credibility of the Program. We very much appreciate your help with the five-year inspection process and everything you do for forest stewardship in Florida.. Find your Tree Farm District Representative at https://www.treefarmsystem.org/about-fl Your Florida Forest Service County Forester can help with the inspection as well. Find your County Forester at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/For-Landowners/County-Foresters
AIR POTATO PATROL CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT
A new on-line Citizen Science project is looking for volunteers at https://airpotatobeetle.com/. This collaborative project between University of Florida IFAS Extension and Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks to educate residents on how to identify and better control air potato vines, and to gather data important to current research and air potato leaf beetle tracking. The website contains educational videos and a blog to educate the participants and keep them updated. Volunteers will be asked to complete surveys to evaluate the level of air potato infestation and the presence of the air potato beetles in their test plots. For more information please visit the website or contact William Lester, UF/IFAS Extension, at wlester@ufl.edu.
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) | | September 12 | USDA Farm Bill Programs Meeting for Polk County (link), 10-11 am, UF/IFAS Polk County Cooperative Extension Service Office, Brenneman Auditorium, 1702 Hwy 17 South (Spessard Holland Parkway) Bartow, FL 33830. USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District working group will discuss resource conservation concerns and NRCS programs with local farmers, ranchers and forestland owners. Location: Contact: Ed Sheehan at 863-533-2051 Ext 3. See link above for announcement. | | September 13 | Certified Pile Burner Course (link), 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, UF/IFAS Madison County Extension Office, 184 NW College Loop, Madison, FL 32340. This course allows landowners and producers to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently. When the weather is dry, certified pile burners will receive priority for authorization to burn. In addition, certified pile burners can burn up to two hours longer per day and get multiple authorizations. $50 fee includes lunch and materials. Please register ASAP as this class fills quickly. See link above to register or contact Dan Fenneman, dfenneman@ufl.edu, 850-973-4138 | | September 15 | UF/IFAS Extension Workshop: Is a Conservation Easement Right for Your Land? (link), 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension Office, Kissimmee, FL. This workshop will explain how conservation easements work, and the potential benefits to landowners. Conservation easements allow landowners to protect the agricultural and/or conservation uses of their property into the future. Easements can also reduce the amount of estate or inheritance tax that their heirs must pay. They are voluntary agreements that keep land as rangeland, agricultural land, open space or natural habitat. Register at https://conservationeasement.eventbrite.com/ or call Jessica Sullivan at (321) 697-3040. | | September 17-19 | Organic Food and Farming Summit (link), Gainesville, FL. Provided by Florida Organic Growers. See link for details. | | September 23 | Watermelon Pond Bioblitz (link), Watermelon Pond Wildlife and Environmental Area, Watermelon Pond, 10700 SW 250 St, Newberry, FL 32669. Bioblitz = trying to find as many wildlife species as possible in a given amount of time. This will take place from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm, with an early bird experience from 7:00 am – 8:30 am to view burrowing owls and, possibly, Bachman's sparrows. See link above for details and registration. | | September 25- October 25 | Natural Areas Training Academy: Collaborating to Manage Ecosystems (link), online and at Wekiva Springs State Park, Apopka, FL. This workshop will enhance skills in collaborating, demonstrate how and when to use working groups, and showcase successful examples of managing natural areas as part of the larger ecosystems surrounding them. Learn to work effectively in coordination with neighboring land owners, land managers, and other outside influences. See link above for details and registration. contact nata@ifas.ufl.edu for details. | | September 26-27 | Central Florida Agritourism Conference (link), UF/IFAS Polk County Extension Service, 1702 Hwy 17 S., Bartow, FL 33831. Join us for a Regional Agritourism conference, including informational presentations and farm tours! This event is for farmers considering or already pursuing agritourism, policy-makers, and businesses interested in developing cooperative efforts with agritourism operators. See link above for details and registration. | | September 27 | Certified Pile Burner Course (link), 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, UF/IFAS West Central Agricultural Center, 7620 SR 471, Bushnell, FL 33513. This course allows landowners and producers to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently. When the weather is dry, certified pile burners will receive priority for authorization to burn. In addition, certified pile burners can burn up to two hours longer per day and get multiple authorizations. $50 fee includes lunch and materials. Please register ASAP as this class usually is to capacity by mid-August. All attendees must pre-register by September 15, 2017 in order to reserve your spot. See link above to register or call DarLinda Duteau of the UF/IFAS Extension Sumter County Office, 352-569-6865. | | 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 19 | Forest Stewardship Field Day: Forest Plant Identificaation (link), 9:00 am – 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. | | WEST FLORIDA (Jefferson County and west) | | September 7 | 2017 Beekeeping in the Panhandle Summer Series (link), 7:00 to 8:30 ET (6:00 to 7:30 pm CT), via interactive web-conferencing at UF/IFAS Extension Offices across north Florida. Topics include pest and disease management, working with pollination contracts, and minimizing bee exposure to pesticides. Registration for all three classes is $15 per person, or $25 for a family up to four, and covers course materials and refreshments. See link above for details or contact your County UF/IFAS Extension office. | | September 12 | Pecan Field Day (link), 9 am ET, UF/IFAS Jefferson County Extension Office in Monticello, FL. If you're a pecan grower, or just considering it, this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the pecan business. The year's event features guest speakers from the University of Florida, University of Georgia, and special guest Randy Hudson from Hudson Pecan Company in Ocilla, GA. This is free event for Florida Pecan Growers' Association members, and $10 for non-members. You will be able to become a member during event registration. Please RSVP at 850-482-9620 or email Matt Lollar at mlollar@ufl.edu, so we can plan fro lunch and materials. See link above for details. | | September 13 | Certified Pile Burner Course, Jackson County (link), 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension Office, 2741 Pennsylvania Ave. Marianna, Florida 32448. This course allows landowners and producers to burn piles legally, safely and efficiently. When the weather is dry, certified pile burners will receive priority for authorization to burn. In addition, certified pile burners can burn up to two hours longer per day and get multiple authorizations. $50 fee includes lunch and materials. Please register ASAP as this class fills quickly. See link above to register or contact Doug Mayo, demayo@ufl.edu, 850-482-9620 | | September 15 | Beef & Forage Field Day, 8:00 am CT, UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center Marianna Beef Unit Pavilion, one mile west of Greenwood on Hwy 162. $10 fee. For more information contact Tina Gwin, tpgwin@ufl.edu (850) 526-1614. | | September 18-22 | Big Bend Pesticide Training Series (link), UF/IFAS Leon County Extension Office. Registration is $10/session and refreshments will be provided. The different sessions serve as a review for the exam or are used to obtain CEUs. See link above for more information or pre-registration, or you can contact Mark Tancig at the Leon County Extension Office at (850) 606-5200. | | September 28 | Invasive Exotic Species and Control Workshop (pdf link), 9 am to 3 pm CT, UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension Office, Crestview, FL. Join us to learn about identifying and controlling some of the most troublesome invasive exotic plants like cogongrass, Japanese climbing fern and others. We'll also address new and established exotic insects that are causing land management problems. Earn pesticide applicator CEUs and forestry CFEs and connect with partnership and assistance opportunities! Presented by the Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and Florida Forest Stewardship Program. Register on-line at https://fsp-workshop092817.eventbrite.com/. You can also reserve a space by contacting UF/IFAS Okaloosa County Extension at (850) 689-5850. Please register by September 15 so we can plan accordingly. Now approved for 5.0 FDACS CEUs (3.0 private applicator, natural areas weed mgmt., forest pest control, ROW; 2.0 CORE 487/482) and 4.0 Cat. 1 SAF CFEs. | | October 5 | Forest Stewardship Tour at David and Cindi Stewart's Sandhills Farm, Jackson County (pdf link), 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. $10 fee. Register at https://fsp-tour100517.eventbrite.com/ or contact UF/IFAS Jackson County Extension at (850) 482-9620. Please register by September 22 so we can plan accordingly. This will be a relatively short but scenic walking tour so please wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the field. | | 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. | | | WEBINARS | | | | September 6 | Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Webinar: Urban Trees and Stormwater Management - Transitioning from Gray to Green (link), 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | | | | September 7 | Climate Learning Network Webinar: The Cattle Comfort Advisor: a Tool for Managing Heat & Cold Stress (link), 3 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | September 14 | Climate Webinar: Drought and Invasive Species (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | September 19 | Science & Technology Webinar: To Fence or Not to Fence (Out a Stream): Planning Considerations and Design Options for Prescribed Grazing Systems and Functional Riparian Buffers (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | September 20 | Forestry Webinar: Adaptation Forestry Practices for Climate Change Mitigation: a Field Study (link), 11 am ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | September 20 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: Commonly Encountered Ducks of Florida (link), 12:15 to 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | | | | September 26 | Science & Technology Webinar: Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizers: Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors (link), 2 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | September 28 | ProNR Forest Management Series Webinar: Green Value, A Tool for Simplified Financial Analysis of Forest-based Initiatives (link), 1 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | October 3 | Science & Technology Webinar: Non-Ruminant Organic Livestock on Pasture (link), 3 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | October 4 | Forestry Webinar: Fall Cankerworm Biology, Ecology, and Management in Urban and Rural Landscapes (link), 1 pm ET, see link for details and to join. | | | | October 18 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: This-or-That? Florida's Birds (link), 12:15 to 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | | | | November 15 | Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: This-or-That? Florida's Wildlife (link), 12:15 to 1 pm ET, see link for details and registration. | | | | | | | *** |
Charlene Cupp Kinch
