Cogongrass Help!

Cogongrass is an extremely aggressive rhizomatous grass that I have seen spreading more and more around Hillsborough County.  I have even seen it taking over nursery production areas under the groundcover as well.  Here is a link to a fact sheet on the weed and below is an update for a program that will help provide cost share assistance with control of the weed.  There is another factsheet below dealing with cogongrass control in pastures.

 COGONGRASS TREATMENT COST-SHARE PROGRAM NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS


Applications accepted through Feb. 27, 2015 to remove invasive plant

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Forest Service is now accepting applications for the Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program. Cogongrass is an invasive, non-native grass, which occurs in Florida and several other southeastern states. 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.

The Cogongrass Treatment Cost-Share Program is offered for non-industrial private lands in all Florida counties. It provides reimbursement of 50 percent of the cost to treat Cogongrass infestations for two consecutive years. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2014 may apply from Sept. 22, 2014 through Oct. 3, 2014. Applicants who wish to conduct treatments in 2015 may apply from Oct. 6, 2014 through Feb. 27, 2015.

To learn more about this program and obtain an application form, contact a local Florida Forest Service office or visit http://www.FloridaForestService.com. All qualifying applications will be evaluated and ranked for approval. This program is supported through a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

For more information about cogongrass and management see http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/wg202

For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit http://www.FreshFromFlorida.com.