53rd Annual APMS meeting

San Antonio, Texas

Site of the 53^rd APMS annual meeting

 

The time is now to make your reservations for the 53^rd Annual Meeting of the Aquatic Plant Management Society to be held July 14-17, 2013 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  This year’s meeting will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Texas Aquatic Plant Management Society.  Our host hotel is adjacent to the world famous San Antonio River Walk.  Hotel reservations can be made online at: 

https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/res?id=1211301551&key=11A7E

or by calling the Westin Riverwalk directly at (210) 224-6500.  When making your reservations by phone, be sure to mention that you are part of the Aquatic Plant Management Society.  The cutoff date for reservations at the special group rate is June 20, 2013.  Our special APMS guest room rate is $159.00 for single and double occupancy per night plus applicable tax.  The meeting registration fees are $275.00 for a delegate and $130.00 for a guest (spouse, partner, child over 12 years of age) if received by June 14, 2013.  After this date, registration fees at the door will be $330.00 for a delegate and $155.00 for a guest.  This is guaranteed to be an extraordinary meeting, so plan to attend and bring the family!  Please help us in planning for the 53^rd Annual Meeting by submitting the Meeting Registration Form on the APMS website by June 14, 2013. 

 

 

Annie Novak Keynote Speaker // Exhibit Opportunities // FL Small Farms & Alt Enterprises Conf.

Annie Novak to Provide Keynote Address!   Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference  Informing and Inspiring Agricultural Innovators   August 2-4, 2013 * Kissimmee, FL www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms       Annie at Eagle Street Rooftop Farm. Photograph by Lauren Mandel.     Annie Novak, founder and director of Growing Chefs, to provide the keynote address. Read more        Sessions, Speakers and Agenda Business, Greenhouse and Hydroponics, Food Safety, Livestock Systems, Pest Management, Organic and Sustainable Farming, Specialty Crops, Marketing, Technology and a whole lot MORE..... Descriptions and speakers for each education session are provided to help you find the best sessions for you. See Details   Tours, Exhibits, Keynote address, Livestock on Display, Florida Produce and Networking Functions - The Agenda will help you view at-a-glance all conference activities. See Agenda   Exhibit Opportunities Showcase your company and products to Florida's new and growing agricultural sectors.   Over 95% past exhibitors' surveyed in the past four years state they meet their target audience. The show time is compacted to 1½ days, making the most of your time. Big enough to make exhibiting worthwhile, yet small enough to build meaningful relationships with over 700 attendees annually. BECOME AN EXHIBITOR Don't delay - limited space   Registration Scholarship for FL Small Farmers Application Deadline June 1, 2013 Florida small farmers who cannot attend the conference due to financial hardship have the opportunity to apply for a registration scholarship. Up to a $180 value, the scholarship covers the cost of a full conference registration. Applications will be received in order received. See Application Details.   Contribute to the Florida Small Farmer Scholarship Fund Donations are requested and used to support Florida small farmers who need financial help to participate in this educational event. Learn how you can help.   Register NOW! Register to secure space in the sessions you want to attend. Friday tours have limited space and early registration is encouraged.  See Registration Information     Conference Sponsors   Sustaining Partners     Platinum Sponsor      Gold Sponsors   Silver Sponsors                   Bronze Sponsors                                      FL Farm Bureau Federation  FL Farm Bureau Insurance General Sponsors                Interested in sponsoring? Please visit our Sponsorship Opportunities webpage or contact Bob Hochmuth chair of the fund raising committee. For More Information About the Florida small farms conference, visit the conference website: www.conference.ifas.ufl.edu/smallfarms    About small farms in Florida, visit the small farms website: http://smallfarms.ifas.ufl.edu/ Mandy Stage, Conference Coordinator Tel: 352-392-5930; Email: mstage@ufl.edu   Check the box "Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises"     Who will be There  · Beginning Farmers · Small Farms  · Transitional Farmers  · Family Farms  · Mid-sized Farms   · Allied-industry     Representatives · Educators · Researchers · Agricultural Associations · Policy-makers · Foundations · Individuals interested in being a part of, and strengthening the small farms and alternative enterprises community in Florida   Accommodations  Hotel and lodging facilities offering special reduced rates to attendees are filling. Make reservations early and before the reservation deadline. (7/1) See Accommodations    About the Conference  Celebrating its fifth year, the Florida Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Conference is a proven venue in providing farmers with up-to-date, research-based, in-depth educational information. It facilitates networking and an open dialog among members of Florida's small farms community.  It is also an excellent vehicle for increasing awareness of Florida's small farms industry to decision makers and supporting institutions, and partners from the public sector.   Quick Links Agenda   Become An Exhibitor Sponsors Become a Sponsor Registration Information Accommodations Location Hosted by

 

Forward email This email was sent to mbhenry@ufl.edu by mstage@ufl.edu |   Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. UF/IFAS OCI | PO Box 110750 | Bldg. 639 Mowry Road | Gainesville | FL | 32611

 

News Release - Financial Assistance Available to Conserve Natural Resources

Release No. 122013                                                                                                                                                                              Contact:  Jeffrey Woods, 352-338-9515

            Gail Hendricks, 352-338-9560

For Immediate Release

Financial Assistance Available to Conserve Natural Resources

Conservation Stewardship Program Applications Due by June 14

Gainesville, FL., May 30, 2013 – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) financial assistance is available for applicants who apply by June 14, 2013.  The voluntary program allows producers to go the extra mile in conserving natural resources while also maintaining or increasing the productivity of their operations. Tribal, private agricultural producers and non-industrial private forest landowners should meet with their local NRCS staff as soon as possible to discuss eligibility.

“CSP is different than our other financial assistance programs,” said NRCS State Conservationist Russell Morgan.  “It offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. It’s about conservation activities on the entire operation, focusing on multiple resource concerns.”

Playing a significant part in conserving and improving our nation’s resources, producers enrolled an additional 12.1 million acres in CSP nationwide last year, bringing the total number of acres to more than 50 million.

Many of the CSP enhancements improve soil quality, which helps land become more resilient to extreme weather. Because of the extreme weather in 2012, more interest and participation in the cover crop enhancements is expected this year, according to NRCS experts. Several other improvements are available for producers, including intensive rotational grazing, intercropping and wildlife friendly fencing.

Although applications are accepted all year, farmers, ranchers and forestland owners interested in CSP should submit applications by June 14 to ensure they are considered for this year’s funding. The deadline was extended from May 31.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if the program is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements and payment types.

For the checklist and additional information, visit the CSP website http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/ or visit your local USDA NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to your telephone directory under “U. S. Government, Department of Agriculture”, or http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.

Additional information on NRCS, conservation assistance, and programs is available on the web at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA - NRCS office.

##

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

 

This electronic message contains information generated by the USDA solely for the intended recipients. Any unauthorized interception of this message or the use or disclosure of the information it contains may violate the law and subject the violator to civil or criminal penalties. If you believe you have received this message in error, please notify the sender and delete the email immediately.

SWFWFN Announcement: June 14th Workshop on Farm Food Safety Plan at Sarasota County Extension

Hello, members and supporters of the SW FL Small Farmers Network. We are pleased to share with you the announcement below of a local event that provides the latest information about farm food safety plans for your farm operations and enterprises.  As you know, food safety concerns continue to be at the forefront for agriculture producers of all sizes and products.  We hope that this event may be useful for your efforts in promoting food safety on your farm.  Please, feel free to share this email with your associates and fellow producers who may also be interested.

 

Farm Food Safety Plan Workshop – Offered by UF/IFAS Extension

 

SARASOTA, FL – The University of Florida/IFAS Cooperative Extension Service of Sarasota County will be offering a one-day workshop to help growers develop their own food safety manuals. At the end of the workshop, your farm will have a ready to print copy of a complete safety manual and plan.

 

The workshop will be done on a computer (one laptop will be provided for in-house use per farm if necessary) using a web-based food safety manual development program. The workshop will be limited to 15 farms on a first come first serve basis. Each farm may bring an additional person for those farmers needing computer assistance.

 

The content of this workshop is developed by the UF/IFAS Small Farms Academy.  This workshop is partially supported by a grant through the Florida Specialty Crops Block Grants program from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service.

 

Robert Kluson, Ph.D., AG Extension Agent for Sarasota County and Roy Beckford, AG Extension Agent for Lee County, will conduct the training and advise that “fruit and vegetable farm operators would be wise to take advantage of these workshops as most intermediate or large chain store buyers now require some level of food safety program to be in place for each farm before they buy. Even smaller operations selling directly to consumers are encouraged to develop a manual for their farm as food safety will become even more important in the future.”

 

The registration fee is $30.00/person, which includes lunch and refreshments. All educational materials in the Food Safety Tool Kit will be provided for the farms through the grant.  Registration is confirmed when a registration form and payment is received. Online registration is found on the education events calendar at http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/. The first 15 farms to register will be accepted.

 

For more information, call Robert Kluson at (941) 232-3090 or email rkluson@scgov.net.

 

Who:      University of Florida/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

What:     Farm’s Food Safety Manual and Plan Workshop

When:    June 14, 2013 - 9:00am – 4:00pm

Where:   Green Room Auditorium, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL  34241

Why:      To help farmers/growers build their own Food Safety Manual and Plan

 

 

Thanks,

 

Robert A. Kluson, Ph.D.

Agriculture & Natural Resources Extension Agent III

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County

Community Services Business Center

6700 Clark Road, Sarasota, FL  34241

rkluson@scgov.net

(941) 861-9849 (ofc); (941-232-3090 (c)

 

"There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?" - Robert Kennedy

 

FW: UF/IFAS in the news, 5/30

Good morning! Today’s UF/IFAS-related news:

Harsh views, few facts on immigration, UF survey shows

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130530/ARTICLES/130529531/1109/sports?Title=Harsh-views-few-facts-on-immigration-UF-survey-shows-

 

Disease threatens Florida's orange groves

http://www.aljazeera.com/video/americas/2013/05/201352461548937971.html

Second generation Hurner is county's new citrus agent (Highlands)

http://www.newssun.com/news/052613-new-citrus-agent

Treasure Coast Photos http://www.tcpalm.com/photos/2013/may/29/435014/

Fire these ants first (Clay)

http://www.claytodayonline.com/ee/claytoday/en/component/fullstory/20130530_002_art_1/fire-these-ants-first

Martin County Master Gardeners recognize Ginny Douglass (Martin)

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2013/may/29/martin-county-master-gardeners-recognize-ginny-dou/

 

Open house hopes to teach residents about gardening (Alachua)

http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_aee659a8-c8e3-11e2-bed4-001a4bcf887a.html

 

Penscola – news briefs (Escambia/living with snakes item/photo, second page)

http://www.pnj.com/article/20130530/ENTERTAINMENT/305300004/Calendar-Thursday-May-30-2013

New Weather System Helps Walton County Farmers

http://www.wjhg.com/news/headlines/New-Weather-System-Helps-Walton-County-Farmers-209410991.html

Does your water-stingy garden deserve a Water-Wise trophy? (Tampa Bay area)

http://www.tampabay.com/features/homeandgarden/does-your-water-stingy-garden-deserve-a-trophy/2123632

 

 

Other news

 

Parents, patients notified of potential identity theft incident

http://news.ufl.edu/2013/05/29/potential-identity-theft-2/

 

Is the University of Florida prepared for a major emergency?

http://www.wuft.org/news/2013/05/29/is-the-university-of-florida-prepared-for-a-major-emergency/

Hurricane season starts this weekend

http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_f3454d6c-c8e2-11e2-816b-001a4bcf887a.html

Pets for life, for free (Alachua)

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20130529/ARTICLES/130529537?tc=cr

 

 

 

Hillsborough RIver BMAP updates

Stakeholders in Hillsborough River BMAP Area:  There have been several requests for the “annual” update information for inclusion as required in a MS4 Permit.  As a result of the successful efforts from the parties involved the WBIDs have shown continued  improvement.  In July of 2012 the presentation given by Gerold Morrison (AMEC) supported this conclusion and contains the information necessary for an annual update.  Please consider this PowerPoint presentation the 2012 update.  It may be found here: http://publicfiles.dep.state.fl.us/DEAR/BMAP/Tampa_Bay_Tributaries/Hillsborough_River_Basin_Adoptable_BMAP/periodic%20updates/. 

Please forward this email to anyone in your respective departments doing an MS4 permit update.

If you have any questions please contact me.

 

 

Terry J. Hansen, P.G.

Environmental Consultant

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 3565

Tallahassee, FL  32399-2400

(850) 245-8561 or SunCom 205-8561

(850) 245-8434 or SunCom 205-8434 FAX

terry.hansen@dep.state.fl.us

May newsletter

The May issue of Chemcially Speaking has been posted at:

http://pested.ifas.ufl.edu/

 

UF Agronomy Dept.

Pesticide Information Office