Livestock Grazing Tour

Attention all livestock producers…an educational tour is being held and there are still openings available.  Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service and Giziibii Resource Conservation and Development Association are joining together to host a tour of local grazing systems in Beltrami County.  The tour will include several sites with rotational grazing systems that are in varying stages of completion (starting construction to 8+ years of established grazing management).  Information on maximizing forage production through proper grazing will be discussed.

Tour will be held on August 24^th from 9 am to 4 pm.  Participants will travel by motor coach from Tenstrike Community Church to sites in the Blackduck area.  Lunch is included in the cost of registration.

Participants will learn techniques, sources for supplies, recommendations for quick success and a brief overview of local and federal resources available to help.  Pre-registration is required and must be completed by noon, August 17^th.  Space is limited so do not wait!  Fee to attend is only $10.00 to cover expenses. 

To register, contact the Beltrami SWCD at 218-333-4158. 

This environmental learning opportunity is brought in partnership with Enbridge through an Ecofootprint grant funded to Giziibii RC&D.  Giziibii RC&D is a nonprofit organization serving the counties of Beltrami, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen. 

USDA Extends Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-Up to January 27

Ada, Minnesota, Jan. 12, 2012 –– USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White today announced that the cut-off date for the current Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) ranking period has been extended to January 27, 2012. Producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship are eligible for CSP payments.

“We want to make sure that people who want to be considered for CSP during this first ranking period have the time they need to complete their applications,” said Shawnn, Balstad, District Conservationist. “CSP is a very popular program and I encourage interested producers to apply at their local NRCS office as soon as they can.”

CSP is offered in all 50 states, tribal lands and the Pacific and Caribbean areas through continuous sign-ups. Administered by NRCS, CSP provides many conservation benefits including improved water and soil quality, enhanced wildlife habitat and conservation activities that address the effects of climate change.

Producers are encouraged to apply for CSP throughout the year to be considered for current and future application ranking periods. Those who apply by January 27, 2012, may be eligible for current available funding. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and nonindustrial forestland.

A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help producers determine if CSP is suitable for their operation. The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, contracts obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices and at:
http://www.mn.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp/index.html

USDA Special Wetlands Initiative Batching Period Announced in the Red River Basin

ST. PAUL, MN May 23, 2011 - $10 million will be available to help eligible landowners in three states reduce flooding, restore wetlands and enhance wildlife habitat in the Red River of the North Basin through the USDA’s Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP). Since 1993 the Red River Basin has experienced moderate to severe flooding annually, with record flooding over the last three consecutive years.

“This special initiative funding will emphasize WRP’s ability to mitigate flood damage within the basin by retaining higher levels of flood waters within easement acres,” Don Baloun, State Conservationist said. “Projects funded through this initiative will reduce the costs to our rural private landowners who continue to experience severe damages during these flood events.”

Landowners may sign-up for WRP throughout the year, but the sooner they visit the local county NRCS/SWCD office, the better. Applications accepted by June 17, 2011, will be considered during the first batching period. Additional batching periods will be considered if funding remains after the first period.

USDA is providing the funding for this special WRP initiative in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. These additional funds will allow the three states to accept new applications and fund more WRP easements. Restoring wetlands and associated uplands through this initiative will help retain and slow floodwaters in the Red River Basin, while providing valuable wildlife habitat, water quality benefits and reducing damages from severe flooding.

WRP, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, is the federal government’s largest private lands wetlands restoration program. It provides voluntary technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Indian tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands that have been degraded or converted to agricultural uses. More than 80 percent of the restorable wetlands in the Red River Basin are privately owned.

The Red River Retention Authority and numerous other partners identified a critical need for targeted technical and financial assistance for eligible landowners in the basin. WRP projects funded through this special initiative will result in long-term benefits to taxpayers by reducing funding spent by local and state governments to repair damaged roads, bridges and public areas. Reduced damage to cropland and associated agricultural disaster and crop damage payments will also save taxpayers money in the long term.

For more information about WRP, please visit www.nrcs.