1/31/11

Keepseagle vs. Vilsack Lawsuit

A $760 million class action settlement has been reached in a lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that claimed the USDA discriminated against Native Americans who applied for farm loans or loan servicing between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999. The settlement will pay cash and provide loan forgiveness for USDA loans to those who qualify.

Who is included?

The settlement class includes all Native American farmers and ranchers who: farm or ranch or attempted to farm or ranch between January 1, 1981 and November 24, 1999; and tried to get a farm loan or loan servicing from the USDA during that period; and complain about discrimination to the USDA either directly or through a representative during the time period.

For more information visit: www.indianfarmclass.com

1/28/11

NEW Hillsborough County Sponsored CEU Webpage

Here is what every private applicator spray licence holder has been wishing since they received their spray license. Thanks to industry sponsorship and University of Florida/IFAS and Hillsborough County Extension, finally a webpage where you can go to get Pesticide Core CEU credits anytime you want. Just click on the webpage, go to one of the articles and read it. After you're done reading, click on the button to take a short quiz. The software will grade the quiz for you and let you know your results. If you get better than a 70% passing grade you will be e-mailed one Core CEU Credit from the Extension office. It couldn't be easier unless I hand delivered a CEU credit to you without you doing anything. Since this is illegal and won’t happen, this new CEU webpage is the next easiest thing and legal. I want to thank the generous sponsorship of our first sponsor Audie Ham of Diamond R Fertilizer. If you would like to be a sponsor of this CEU webpage please let me know. This will allow CEU's to be brought to the public at no charge in a very efficient manner. Go ahead and take a look at the website and enjoy your free CEU's.

http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/Ag/AgOrnProd/OnlinePesticideCEUs.html

1/26/11

Integrated Pest Management Update

We had the Integrated Pest Management Update at Balm on 1/25/11. If you missed it here is a link to the presentations that had PowerPoints. This event represents the landscape track as it alternates each year. Next year's Integrated Pest Management Update will be the producer track mainly targeting information for nursery producers. Here is the link to the presentations.
http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/Ag/AgOrnProd/AgPresentations2009.html

The presentations are:
Natural Insecticides - Eileen Buss
Distinguishing Landscape Disease and Insect Problems from Environmental Stresses-Turfgrass - Young-Ki Jo
Distinguishing Landscape Disease and Insect Problems from Environmental Stresses -Biotic versus Abiotic - Catharine Mannion
Diagnosing Problem Palms - Monica Elliot

1/24/11

USDA Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

This in from the USDA...

Apply Now to Protect Your Farm and Ranch Lands
Proposals Must Be Submitted by March 21, 2011

Gainesville, FL., January 21, 2011 – If you have farm or ranch lands you want to protect from development, now is the time to apply for help. The USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals now for funding opportunities for the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). USDA-NRCS, in partnership with State, Tribal, or local governments and non-governmental organizations, acquires conservation easements, or other interests in land, from landowners. FRPP provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to keep productive farms and ranch lands in agricultural use and to protect historic or archeological resources. NRCS provides up to 50 percent of the fair market easement value of the conservation easement.

The 2008 Farm Bill provided for a continuous signup to allow eligible entities more opportunities to sign up, but a batching date has been established for fiscal year 2011 funds. Applications must be submitted on or before March 21, 2011, to receive consideration for funding in fiscal year 2011.

Land proposed for the FRPP must meet one of three eligibility categories: 1. Have prime, unique or other productive soil; 2. Contain historic or archeological resources; or 3. Further State or local policy consistent with the purposes of the program.

Eligible entities must secure the appraisal, survey, and title search, prepare the conservation easement deed, and pay for the closing.

-more-
Owners of the parcels must have an adjusted gross income of less than one million dollars and be in compliance with the USDA highly erodible land and wetland compliance requirements.

Proposals should be submitted to the attention of Zakia Williams, USDA-NRCS, 2614 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL, 32606. NRCS will obligate funding for the selected parcels in a cooperative agreement with the eligible entities that submitted the selected parcel.

The proposals will be reviewed and evaluated based on the entity’s eligibility, land eligibility, and the extent to which the proposal supports FRPP objectives. Proposals must include adequate proof of a pending offer for the subject land. Adequate proof includes a written bid, contract, commitment, or option extended to a landowner. Pending offers based upon appraisals completed and signed by State-certified general appraisers will receive higher priority for FRPP funding. The proposal shall also contain the following:
· Acreage of the proposed project area (acreage needing protection);
· Acreage of prime, unique, and/or locally important farm land soils that is estimated to be protected;
· Number or acreage of historic and archaeological sites estimated to be protected on farm or ranch lands;
· FRPP cost per acre;
· Rate of land conversion within the County;
· Percentage of funding guaranteed to be provided by cooperating entities;
· History of cooperating entities' experience with acquiring, managing, holding, and enforcing easements (including average annual farmland protection easement expenditures over the past five years, accomplishments, and staff);
· Amount of FRPP funding requested; and
· Participating entities’ estimated unfunded backlog of conservation easements on acres eligible for FRPP assistance.

For more information check out the FRPP website, www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/flfrpp.html or contact Zakia Williams, (352) 338-9554, zakia.williams@fl.usda.gov .

Integrated Pest Management Update 2011

I wanted to repost this event as a reminder!

Hillsborough County Extension will be hosting the Integrated Pest Management Update on January 25, 2011 at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. The Integrated Pest Management Update Program is an award-winning statewide event that helps green industry professionals and nursery growers correctly identify pest problems and to utilize the latest, best management practices to treat them.
This event cycles alternating years between landscape and grower themed issues. This year's event will deal mainly with landscape issues but would have numerous cross-over topics for growers as well. We try to help you put all the pieces of pest mangement together.

$2o.00 plus $2.09 online registration fee includes resource materials and refreshments at the event.FNGLA, CCA, ISA and FDACS, CEUs are Available!

Here are the topics below:
12:30 - 2:00 pm Distinguishing landscape disease & insect problems from environmental stressesLandscape / Ornamentals – Dr. Catharine MannionTurfgrass – Dr. Young-Ki JoPalms –Dr. Monica Elliot
2:00 - 2:30 Diagnostic ToolsUtilizing a web based diagnostic and identification system (DDIS) for solving plant problems - Dan Culbert
Developing a plant diagnostic toolbox for use in the landscape - Ed Skvarch
2:30 – 3:30 pm Use of Biorational products for landscape & turf management – Dr. Eileen Buss
3:30 – 4:30 pm Vendor Presentations - The latest chemical industry updates on new products for the green industry.
If you are interested in attending this event please register and click on the link below
http://ipmu01252011.eventbrite.com/
For more information please contact Shawn Steed 813-744-5519.

Water Management Board Meeting

This just in from SWFWMD.

Governing Board to meet in Tampa

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. at the District’s Tampa Service Office, 7601 US 301 N., Tampa.

The Governing Board holds some of its regular monthly meetings away from the Brooksville headquarters to encourage participation from local citizens.

To view the meeting agenda, visit www.WaterMatters.org and click on the “Boards, Meetings & Events Calendar” link. To view the Governing Board meeting online, log on to WaterMatters.org and click on the “Live Video Stream” link. The video stream link becomes active and the live video feed begins approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled meeting time.

Cori Cuttler
Community Affairs Manager
Southwest Florida Water Management District
7601 Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33637
813-985-7481 ext. 2036

1/19/11

Lake Region FNGLA Meeting Feb 3, 2011

The Lake Region FNGLA chapter will be having their next meeting on February 3, 2011 at 6:00 PM at the Polk County Extension office in Bartow, in the Valencia Room. Sonny's BBQ will be served for dinner at $15 per person. The program is entitled "Crop Insurance... Blessing or Fiasco." by Michael Martin with Martin Law Office. There will be a Valentines theme so wear red or pink. And don't forget to bring something for the raffle. Please RSVP by Saturday, January 29, by calling Peterson Nursery 863-644-6491. See you there!

1/12/11

Integrated Pest Management Update


Hillsborough County Extension will be hosting the Integrated Pest Management Update on January 25, 2011 at the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Balm. The Integrated Pest Management Update Program is an award-winning statewide event that helps green industry professionals and nursery growers correctly identify pest problems and to utilize the latest, best management practices to treat them. This event cycles alternating years between landscape and grower themed issues. This year's event will deal mainly with landscape issues but would have numerous cross-over topics for growers as well. We try to help you put all the pieces of pest mangement together.

$2o.00 plus $2.09 online registration fee includes resource materials and refreshments at the event.

FNGLA, CCA, and FDACS, CEUs are Available!

Here are the topics below:

12:30 - 2:00 pm Distinguishing landscape disease & insect problems from environmental stresses
Landscape / Ornamentals – Dr. Catharine Mannion
Turfgrass – Dr. Young-Ki Jo
Palms –Dr. Monica Elliot

2:00 - 2:30 Diagnostic Tools
Utilizing a web based diagnostic and identification system (DDIS) for solving plant problems - Dan Culbert

Developing a plant diagnostic toolbox for use in the landscape - Ed Skvarch

2:30 – 3:30 pm Use of Biorational products for landscape & turf management – Dr. Eileen Buss

3:30 – 4:30 pm Vendor Presentations - The latest chemical industry updates on new products for the green industry.

If you are interested in attending this event please register and click on the link below


For more information please contact Shawn Steed 813-744-5519.

Increase Your Sales Using the Internet

Would you like to learn how to increase ornamental sales from other growers who are web-savvy or would you like to be in on a meeting to generate ideas on how to increase sales using the web? Extension will be having a half-day workshop on Using the Internet to Increase Sales on Feb. 16 from 8:00-12:30 in Apopka, FL.

Here's the agenda: Building a Better Business to Business Website with Erin Freel Nest, The Market Place Web Design & Video Production from Weirsdale, FL and Using Social Media to Market Your Product with Tracy Irani, PhD, Agriculture Education and Communications Dept., Gainesville, FL.


We will also include using the program Market Maker which allows growers to market directly with buyers via the new Florida wide website.


There will also be a growers panel (Travis Council, Alan Bunch, and Rick Brown from our area) who are currently using the web to drive their plant sales.


I will be personally driving a van of up to six participants to the workshop in Apopka. You are welcome to drive yourself but it might be nice to fellowship with your fellow growers in the area on the way there and back. If you would like to ride with us you will need to be at the Hillsborough County extension office at 6:00 AM. You also need to click on the following link to register as I can only take six people.


There will only be seats available for 30 participants at the program so register early. Here is the flyer link for further information.
Call the number on the flyer to register without riding in the van.

USDA Extends Sign-up for Conservation Program

This just in from USDA:

NRCS Extends Sign-up Period for Conservation Program
Applications accepted through January 21, 2011

Gainesville, FL., Jan. 10, 2011 – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced the ranking period cut-off date for producer applications in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has been extended to January 21, 2011.
“NRCS is extending the deadline for applications from its previous Jan. 7 date to provide agricultural producers two more weeks to complete their applications,” said NRCS Acting State Conservationist Jeff Woods. “This will help farmers, ranchers, and forestry producers by giving them more time and allow even more producers to participate in this program.”
All producers are encouraged to apply for CSP, Woods said, including owners of non-industrial forestland. “Private forest landowners may not be aware of the financial assistance opportunities afforded by this program,” he said, “but CSP offers those landowners an opportunity to implement conservation practices that can significantly improve their forests’ health.”
Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The CSP program provides many conservation benefits including improvement of water and soil quality, wildlife habitat enhancement and adoption of conservation activities that address the effects of climate change.
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, contract obligations and potential payments. It is available from local NRCS offices or online at:
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/new_csp/csp.html .
Additional information on NRCS and our programs is available on our Website at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA NRCS office. To find the nearest office go to http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app .

1/11/11

FNGLA FL Cert. Hort. Pro. Certification Class

This message in from HCC:

Do you enjoy working outdoors? Do you like growing plants? Are you an existing professional in the nursery or landscape industry? Register today for the FCHP Training course! This course will enhance your knowledge of plant ID, soils, fertilizers, pests, pruning techniques, irrigation, BMP’s and safety. The FCHP course will also prepare you for the FCHP certification exam offered at the end of the course.
FCHP certification will increase your earning power in the horticulture industry by promoting professional commitment, knowledge, and skill among horticulture and closely associated professions. This certification may lead to better paying jobs and career advancement, and is the core for other FNGLA Certificates.


Course : HOS 8001-18115―FNGLA Hort Professional
Dates: January 24 — April 7, 2011
Time: Monday: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Wednesday: 6:30 PM—8:30 PM
Location: HCC Plant City Campus Educational Partnership Center
Course Fee: $275
Manual*: Member $75, Non-Member $105
*Required by 1st day of class
Exam: Member $85, Non-Member $150
For more information, please contact:
Sean Nordquist— snordquist@hccfl.edu
Phone: 813.757.2186
Institute of Florida Studies, Hillsborough Community College, 1206 N. Park Road, Plant City, FL 33563

USDA Organic Producer Grants Available

News release from the USDA:

$1.28 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR FLORIDA ORGANIC PRODUCERS
Application Deadline is March 4, 2011

Gainesville, FL., December 21, 2010 – Organic agricultural producers in Florida may qualify for technical and financial assistance through a National Organic Initiative. The 2011 Organic Initiative provides assistance to USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified organic producers as well as producers transitioning to organic production. It also meets the Obama Administration’s promise to encourage more organic agriculture production.
In Florida, $1.28 million in funding for the Organic Initiative is available to qualified applicants as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) which is administered by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. Applications for EQIP are accepted continuously, but for Organic Initiative funding consideration during Federal fiscal year 2011, applications should be submitted by March 4, 2011.

NRCS has offered this special initiative to organic producers for the last 2 years. “We want to help these farmers protect the natural resources on their land and create conditions that help foster organic production,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS State Conservationist for Florida.
Under Organic Initiative contracts, producers are paid 75 percent of the cost for the approved organic conservation measures they implement. Beginning, limited resource, and socially disadvantaged producers are paid 90 percent. The program provides up to $20,000 per year per person or legal entity, with a maximum total of $80,000 over six years. Producers are required to develop and carry out an Organic System Plan (OSP) or carry out practices consistent with an OSP. The assistance targets practices such as planting cover crops, establishing integrated pest management plans, or implementing nutrient management systems consistent with organic certification standards. For more information: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/organic/2011 .

Interested producers should visit their nearest USDA - NRCS office as soon as possible. To find the nearest office go to: http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app. Additional information on NRCS and other programs is available at www.fl.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local USDA NRCS office.

Lakeland Camellia Society Show


This just in from the Lakeland Camellia Society:


Lakeland Camellia Society
29th Annual Camellia Show & Plant Sale
1/29/11


News release:

Have you ever seen a camellia bloom? If you have, then you know its beauty is the best kept secret in the flower world. If you have not seen this spectacular porcelain-like flower, you have an opportunity to see for yourself literally hundreds of camellia blooms in an amazing array of different colors, sizes, and varieties at the Lakeland Camellia Society’s 29th Annual Camellia Show and Plant Sale.

The Lakeland Camellia Society will hold their annual one-day Camellia Show at North Lakeland Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall, 6725 N. Socrum Loop Rd, Lakeland, Florida on Saturday, January 29th, 2011. It is open free to the public for leisurely viewing from 1 to 5 pm. Mark your calendar now to come see the world’s best-kept flower secret.

The Fellowship Hall has ample free parking. Admission is free and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Those wishing to enter blooms need not be members of any club or society. Just bring your camellia blooms to North Lakeland Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall between 7 and 9:30 am. The show is held under the rules of The American Camellia Society, which certifies the judges and establishes the categories so amateur and professional growers compete equally. Members of the Lakeland Camellia Society will be on hand to assist in placing blooms for judging, identifying blooms and answering any questions about Camellias, Lakeland Camellia Society, and The American Camellia Society.

The plant sale is scheduled from 12 pm to 5 pm unless sold out. There will be many different varieties of camellia plants on sale to help people get started or just add to their collections of camellias.


For more information, call John Shirah (863) 858-3789 or Brian Dick (863) 834-2237.