TIM
MALONE

Conservation Corner

Attention Minority and Female Landowners

Mon, May 14, 2012

Make the Farm Bill Work for You Workshops

Women and minority landowners unfamiliar with working with the US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are invited to learn more about how NRCS can help protect their land and be more productive by attending a workshop on June 26 in Princeton, IL or June 28 in Springfield, IL.

The workshop will include an overview of USDA-NRCS Conservation Planning and Conservation Technical Assistance, a panel presentation from landowners participating in NRCS programs as well as an opportunity to sign up for assistance.

“By attending these workshops, landowners will learn about NRCS program opportunities such as the Conservation Stewardship Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), other easement programs and other services that are available. EQIP includes financial assistance funds for seasonal high tunnel or organic farming practices,” said Dave King, executive director of Prairie Hills RC&D, which is one of the sponsors the workshops.

Workshops will run from 8:45 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The Princeton workshop will be held at the Bureau County Metro Center, 837 Park Avenue West.  The Springfield workshop will be held at the Northfield Inn Suites & Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive.

Lunch and the opportunity to apply for a travel stipend are available to those women and minority landowners who pre-register by June 15. For more information or to register, contact Prairie Hills RC&D at 309-833-4747 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

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NRCS Water Quality Initiative

Thu, May 10, 2012

NRCS Announces Water Quality Conservation in 3 Illinois Watersheds

Agricultural Producers located in priority watersheds will be able to participate

State Conservationist Ivan Dozier announced the launch of a new Water Quality Initiative committed to improving three impaired watersheds in Illinois. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will manage the initiative by making financial assistance available to farmers and forest landowners in the priority watersheds. “With the help of our partners, we’ve selected three watersheds that are impaired but well positioned and ready to make critical changes that will significantly improve water quality,” Dozier explained.

 

Douglas Creek Watershed, 14,300 acres in St. Clair County
Crooked Creek-Bon Pas Watershed, 33,266 acres in parts of Richland, Wabash, Edwards, & Lawrence Counties
Lake Vermilion Watershed, 17,656 acres in Vermilion County

Through this effort, eligible producers can invest in voluntary conservation practices to help provide cleaner water for their neighbors and communities. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to producers for implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and nutrient management plans in watersheds with impairments where focused federal investments can make a difference in improving water quality.

“American farmers are good stewards of the environment, especially when they have the tools they need to protect or improve fish and wildlife habitat and water quality,” said NRCS Chief Dave White. “We look forward to collaborating with producers in key watersheds to help them have a positive impact on streams with impaired water quality.”

All three Illinois watershed areas are of modest size and include diverse landscapes and land uses. Watersheds include working farmland, grazing land, private homes, and community areas used by the public for businesses, tourism, and other land uses. The Illinois sites cover more than 65,000 acres and include a variety of valuable water sources and creeks, wildlife and aquatic species, trees and forested areas, as well as soil and other natural resources. All three sites have been identified as impaired with degraded water quality issues in need of attention.

“These watersheds suffer from water quality problems that can impact drinking water supplies, flooding and erosion damage, and degraded wildlife health and habitat populations,” Dozier said, “but all these issues can be addressed with installation of simple conservation practices and new land management techniques.”

Many other local environmental partners and organizations, including Prairie Rivers Network, Southwestern Illinois RC&D, the City of Danville, county SWCD teams and local work groups, Pheasants Forever and others, are eager to help get the word out to interested landowners.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. There will be one ranking period for the Water Quality Initiative on June 15, 2012. NRCS will rank all submitted proposals for funding consideration. This summer, NRCS will notify all applicants of the results of the rankings and begin developing contracts with selected applicants.

Since 1935, NRCS’ nationwide conservation delivery system works with private landowners to put conservation on the ground based on specific, local conservation needs, while accommodating state and national interests. For more information about the Water Quality Initiative and NRCS’ programs, initiatives and services in Illinois, visit us online at www.il.nrcs.usda.gov.

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Back to No till

Mon, April 23, 2012

Reminder: No-Till Benefits Pay Off

If 2012 turns into a hot, dry year, conservation-minded farmers could be living proof that No-Till delivers. According to specialists at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, back in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the concept of no-till planting and the use of residue were ‘out of the box’ ideas. Twenty years later? No-till, for some, is the standard norm.

Unfortunately, Illinois has seen some farmers revert back and re-initiate deep tillage operations. For some, wet and saturated soils were a serious problem. For others, the build-up of sturdy and non-degrading corn residue created a thick mat too tough to penetrate for planting.

Over the past couple of years, USDA acknowledged these operational realities and with good documentation and consultation, localized tillage has been permitted without any compliance penalties.  Even so, NRCS encourages farmers to get back to basics and get back to no-till/ strip till.

Consistent plant emergence—An early warm weather front opened an early planting window and tillage operations that can dry out soil. Some seeds find moisture while others must wait for rain, leading to uneven germination. No-till farmers will see a more even and consistent plant emergence. Even emergence means even growth, which makes management through the growing year simpler and harvest easier. Good organic matter found in healthy no-till soils protects seeds and offers the best environment for optimal germination.

Soil temperatures—No-till soils enjoy a residue “blanket” which maintains soil temperatures when outside temps drop. This protects germinating seeds and provides better establishment and productivity.

Erosion control—don’t forget the reason no-till started. Residue materials cover bare soil, protecting soil and sediment from the powerful impact of falling raindrops. Rain and wind can dislodge soil particles and carry them off the field.

Moisture maintenance—like insulating mulch, residue keeps soil moisture from evaporating into the air. If drought conditions occur, no-till fields usually fare better than those that are tilled.

Soil health—over time, soils left undisturbed build a healthy soil structure—one that contains micro-organisms and pore space. Research proves healthy soils absorb water better, hold onto water longer, and support more durable and productive agricultural crops. Health soils = healthy profits!

Get back to no-till, you’ll save time, fuel, and be better prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at us this year.  To learn more about no-till benefits or other conservation practices for your farm, visit www.il.nrcs.usda.gov today!

 

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