Money for Producers Part IV cont.

There were about fifty people that showed up for the Value Added Producers Grant workshop we had at the extension office. Stephen Gran from the Agricultural Economic Development office spoke about what value added products are. I analysed about seven years of previous winners and pointed out what kinds of topics they covered. I also discussed the point scheme for the grant and what the maximum points are for the various judging criteria. We also had Joe Mueller from the USDA FL state office come and talk about the nuts and bolts of the grant so that you could tell if what you want to do is covered and if you meet the criteria to apply for the grant.

If you missed the program, we have the presentations on the web that you can click through at your pace. We don't have the slides narrated...that is one of the benefits for being at the live program. If however, you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Here is the link to the presentations. http://hillsborough.extension.ufl.edu/Ag/AgOrnProd/AgPresentations2009.html

Agriculture Pesticide Collection Day

Thanks to the Hills. Co. Environmental Protection Commission Pollution Recovery Fund, if your operation is in Hillsborough county, your old and discarded pesticides or farm chemicals can be dropped off no questions asked, on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm EQ Florida. The address is 7202 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, FL. Please protect yourself and the environment from any liability in regards to old chemicals on your farm. If you have any questions call me or Stephen Gran, Manager of Ag. Industry Development for Hills. Co. 813-272-5506

Ag Economic Development Council Meeting

Yesterday was my introduction to the Ag. Econ. Development Council (AEDC)Advisory Meeting. It was a veritable who's who in Hillsborough County agriculture along with all the supporting government agencies. This meeting helps set the agenda for the office of AEDC in Hills. Co. and how the county government works for the agricultural clientele. Topics of discussion were how South West Florida Water Management District defines who pays for the remediation of homeowner wells during the draw down of the aquifer during freeze protections. They said that the draw down level was 32 feet causing nearby residents to burn up their pumps. It is defined by law that if remediation is necessary the last person to put in a large well is the person who will need to pay for the damages. This should cause nursery and greenhouse operators to think really hard about where to start new operations. We also discussed the purchasing of ag land for conservation using the ELAPP (Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program). This program helps protect environmentally sensitive or surround land to be purchased in order to preserve the unique environmental benefit function of that land. Also discussed was the ag. innovation program (which looks like it will not have funding), the residential model fertilizer ordinance (which is in the works and is frowned upon by the AEDC Board), and the legislative priorities of the AEDC. If you would like any more information on this meeting please call me.