Winkelman Natural Resource Conservation District

The EPA Waters of the U.S. Webinar for NACD members is now open for registration. To register follow the instructions on the link here. Once registered, you will receive webinar log-in information and call-in information. You have the option of just calling in if that is your preference.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday, May 7 from 2:30-4:00 p.m. Eastern

Please distribute this to all the districts within your state as it is open to all members of NACD. After this webinar, the NACD Natural Resource Policy Committee will begin gathering input to develop comments for the Proposed Rule and Interpretive Rule. The full NACD Board will also have the opportunity for input, and a call will be scheduled (It is not yet scheduled). Note: this webinar is not able to be posted after it is completed.

Link to register: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/758449610

You must register online:

https://www.regonline.com/register/login.aspx?eventID=1131396&MethodId=0&EventsessionId=

Here are the details.

20th ​Annual ​Southwestern ​Noxious/Invasive ​Weed ​Short ​Course ​

San ​Juan ​College ​in ​the ​Henderson ​Fine ​Arts ​Center
4601 ​College ​Boulevard ​ ​
Rooms ​9008 ​9010 ​9012 ​
Farmington, ​New ​Mexico ​87402

Dates: ​​July ​22, ​23, ​and ​24, ​2014.

Location: ​San ​Juan ​College, ​4601 ​College ​Blvd, ​Farmington, ​NM ​87402 ​(The ​classroom ​portion ​of ​the ​short ​course ​will ​be ​held ​in ​the ​Henderson ​Fine ​Arts ​Center, ​which ​is ​located ​on ​the ​San ​Juan ​College ​Campus, ​Rooms ​9008 ​and ​9010).

Background: ​The ​primary ​purpose ​of ​this ​regional ​2.5-day ​Short ​Course ​is ​to ​explore ​the ​management ​of ​noxious, ​invasive ​weeds ​that ​are ​common ​or ​threaten ​the ​southwestern ​U.S. ​ ​ Local, ​regional, ​and ​national ​experts ​will ​share ​their ​ knowledge ​regarding ​this ​critical ​issue. ​ ​The ​course ​is ​broken ​into ​2 ​tracks ​– ​beginning, ​for ​those ​wanting ​to ​learn ​about ​ the ​various ​species ​of ​interest, ​and ​advanced, ​for ​those ​ interested ​in ​going ​beyond ​plant ​ID ​and ​basic ​management ​ principles. ​ ​Although ​the ​short ​course ​is ​presented ​in ​2 ​ tracks ​you ​will ​be ​free ​to ​tailor ​your ​attendance ​in ​a ​way ​ that ​best ​fits ​your ​needs. ​ ​A ​half-day ​field ​trip ​from ​ Farmington, ​NM ​to ​Durango, ​CO ​on ​the ​afternoon ​of ​July ​23rd ​ will ​provide ​hands-on ​experience ​with ​identifying ​noxious ​weeds ​ and ​discussing ​various ​integrated ​weed ​management ​options. ​ ​ Draft Agenda is attached.

Registration ​and ​Payment: ​Registration ​fee ​for ​the ​short ​course ​is ​$300 ​until ​July 9, ​and ​$330 ​thereafter. ​ ​ ​Credit ​card ​payments ​are ​the ​fastest ​way ​to ​register and will immediately confirm your participation. ​ ​If ​paying ​by ​check ​or ​P.O. ​please ​make ​your ​check ​or ​P.O. ​payable ​to ​ “University ​of ​Arizona” ​(TIN ​#74‐2652689) ​and ​write ​in ​the ​ check ​memo ​”Noxious ​Weed ​Short ​Course”. ​ ​Send ​check ​or ​P.O. ​payments ​to ​Dr. ​Larry ​Howery, ​1311 ​E. ​4th ​St. ​Room ​325, ​The ​University ​of ​Arizona, ​Tucson, ​AZ ​85721. ​ ​

What ​you ​get!

• 2.5 ​days ​of ​intensive, ​excellent ​instruction ​from ​invasive ​plant ​experts
• Great ​networking ​opportunity ​to ​meet ​these ​experts ​and ​other ​weed ​managers
• Compilation ​of ​’fact ​sheets’ ​and ​other ​publications ​on ​many ​weed ​species ​and ​tips ​for ​managing ​problem ​plants
• 2 ​lunches, ​snacks ​and ​drinks ​during ​breaks
• Round trip ​field ​trip ​via ​air-conditioned ​bus ​from ​Farmington, ​NM ​to ​Durango, ​CO ​and ​back ​
• Opportunities ​to ​take ​pictures ​of ​various ​invasive ​plant ​ species ​and ​hear ​field ​presentations ​concerning ​various ​invasive ​plant ​problems
• Opportunities ​for ​you ​to ​learn ​from ​invasive ​plant ​experts ​ about ​integrated ​management ​options ​for ​problem ​species ​in ​both ​classroom ​and ​outdoor ​settings
• All ​of ​this ​presented ​to ​you ​in ​a ​fun, ​learning ​environment ​in ​a ​beautiful ​corner ​of ​the ​Southwestern ​U.S.

Beginning Track Topics: For those wanting to learn about the various species of interest.

• Intro to the Course and to Invasive Plants
• State and Federal Perspectives
• Invasive Grasses of the SWUS
• Invasive Woody Plants in the SWUS
• Thistles
• Knapweeds
• Additional Species of Interest
• Invasive Aquatics
• Using Herbicides
• Using Biocontrol
• Using Integrated Weed Management
• Herbicide Resistance and How to Avoid It
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Building a Weed Management Program
• Topics of Interest from the Audience
• Field Trip from Farmington, NM to Durango, CO!

Advanced Track Topics: For those interested in going beyond plant ID and basic management principles.

• Intro to the Course and to Invasive Plants
• State and Federal Perspectives
• Invasive Woody Plants in the SWUS
• Targeted Grazing
• Building Partnerships
• Invasive Weed Management in Riparian Settings
• Mechanisms and modes of actions of herbicides
• Environmental and Economic Impacts of Invasive Plants
• Ecological Traits of Invasive Plants
• Herbicide Registration Process
• Leaf Surfaces and the Effects of Adjuvants
• Evolution of the Herbicide Industry
• Herbicide Resistance and How to Avoid It
• Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Building a Weed Management Program
• Topics of Interest from the Audience
• Field Trip from Farmington, NM to Durango, CO!

Registration ​Policies ​(please ​read ​carefully ​– ​email ​Dr. ​ Howery ​if ​you ​have ​questions): ​ ​

Please ​register ​early ​to reserve ​your ​spot ​for ​the ​course! ​ ​Your ​seat ​is ​not ​reserved and your reservation is not confirmed ​until ​we ​have ​received ​your ​full ​registration ​payment ​via ​a ​valid ​credit ​card, ​purchase ​order, ​money ​order, ​or ​check. ​ ​If ​you ​register ​and ​decide ​to ​cancel ​you ​will ​receive ​a ​full ​refund ​up ​until ​July ​9, ​2014. ​ ​If ​you ​have ​paid ​but ​fail ​ to ​cancel ​your ​registration ​by ​July ​9, ​no ​refunds ​will ​be ​ given ​due ​to ​our ​obligation ​to ​pay ​for ​meals, ​busses, ​ facility ​rental, ​and ​other ​financial ​obligations. ​ ​If ​we ​have ​ not ​received ​your ​full ​payment ​by ​July ​9 ​you ​will ​be ​moved ​ to ​a ​wait ​list ​with ​no ​guarantee ​that ​your ​seat ​will ​be ​ reserved ​(paid ​participants ​will ​receive ​priority). ​ ​If ​you ​are ​selected ​from ​the ​wait ​list ​you ​must ​pay ​$330. ​ ​You ​can ​avoid ​all ​of ​this ​by ​getting ​registered ​early.

Registration ​will ​be ​closed ​if ​we ​reach ​90 ​paid ​ participants. ​ ​If ​the ​course ​is ​full ​before ​July ​9, ​please ​ sign ​up ​for ​the ​wait ​list ​as ​we ​may ​get ​cancellations ​or ​ there ​may ​be ​those ​who ​do ​not ​get ​their ​payment ​in ​before ​July ​9 ​(paid ​participants ​will ​receive ​priority). ​ ​If ​the ​ short ​course ​is ​full ​there ​will ​be ​no ​registration ​at ​the ​ door. ​ ​Registration ​is ​limited ​to ​20 ​people ​per ​organization. ​ ​ ​Check ​in ​will ​begin ​at ​7am ​on ​7/22/14 ​at ​the ​Henderson ​ Fine ​Arts ​Center.

Questions? ​​Please ​email ​Dr. ​Larry ​Howery ​(lhowery).

Lodging: ​There ​is ​no ​designated ​conference ​hotel ​for ​this ​short ​course ​but ​here ​are ​a ​few ​links ​that ​might ​help ​you ​ to ​reserve ​your ​lodging ​in ​Farmington: ​

http://hotelguides.com
http://www.tripadvisor.com
http://www.hotels.com/

Contacts:

Dr. ​Larry ​Howery ​(U ​of ​A)
lhowery@ag.arizona.edu ​
520-309-5412

Dr. ​Richard ​Lee ​(BLM)
Richard_Lee@blm.gov ​
303-236-1734

Issued ​in ​accordance ​with ​Cooperative ​Extension ​work ​acts ​ of ​May ​8 ​and ​June ​30, ​1914, ​in ​cooperation ​with ​the ​U. ​S. ​ Department ​of ​Agriculture, ​Dr. ​Jeff ​Silvertooth, ​Director, ​ Cooperative ​Extension, ​College ​of ​Agriculture ​and ​Life ​Sciences, ​The ​University ​of ​Arizona. ​ ​ ​The ​information ​given ​herein ​is ​supplied ​with ​the ​understanding ​that ​no ​discrimination ​is ​ intended ​and ​no ​endorsement ​given ​by ​The ​University ​of ​Arizona ​Extension ​is ​implied. ​ ​ ​The ​University ​of ​Arizona ​is ​an ​ equal ​opportunity, ​affirmative ​action ​institution. ​ ​The ​ University ​does ​not ​discriminate ​on ​the ​basis ​if ​race, ​color, ​ religion, ​sex, ​national ​origin, ​age, ​disability, ​veteran ​status, ​or ​sexual ​orientation ​in ​its ​programs ​and ​activities. ​ ​ Persons ​with ​a ​disability ​may ​request ​a ​reasonable ​ accommodation, ​such ​as ​sign ​language ​interpreter, ​by ​contacting ​ SNRE ​(520) ​621-7255. ​ ​Requests ​should ​be ​made ​as ​early ​as ​ possible ​to ​arrange ​the ​accommodation.

2014 SW Noxious Weed Short Course – DRAFT AGENDA.doc

As mentioned in an earlier post, a Waters of the U.S. webinar is scheduled for May 7. This is a special webinar for conservation districts. The details of registration are not yet available, but for additional information, please contact Laura Wood Peterson at laura-wood@nacdnet.org.

SB 1214 NRCD; Special Expertise Bill has been signed by the Governor.

This is a very exciting and important bill for the Districts. Please take some time to let Senator Gail Griffin know how much we appreciate her support.

Contact Info for Senator Griffin:
ggriffin
(602) 926-5895

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2014 – Today, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced additional support and resources for America’s small and midsized farmers and ranchers. Today’s announcement includes $7 million in university research awards in support of small and midsized producers; $8.8 million in technical assistance for small, socially-disadvantaged producers and Rural Cooperative Centers; and a marketing certification program for small and very small grass-fed beef producers. This is the second major USDA package this year in support of small and midsized producers. The first package included efforts to increase access to capital, provide better risk management tools, expand marketing opportunities, and offer food safety training and educational resources specific to America’s small and midsize producers. Today‘s announcement builds on these efforts.

“Small and midsized producers are a vital part of America’s agricultural future, and we are dedicated to ensuring their success,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The programs and opportunities announced today are part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that smaller farmers and ranchers get access to the resources they need to thrive. USDA is continually reviewing our resources, programs and policies to make sure we are working for producers of all sizes.”

More information about USDA tools and resources available to small and mid-sized farmers, including information about today‘s announcement, is available on USDA’s Small and Mid-Sized Farmer Resources webpage.

Efforts announced by the Secretary today include:

$7 million in grant awards to 10 universities to develop programs that will assist small and medium-sized farmers grow their operations, enhance their production and become economically viable. These awards, made by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Small and Medium-Sized Farms program, focus on developing models to assist small farmers in their decision making with respect to management strategies, new technologies, sustainability, competitiveness and viability. These awards prioritize strategies enhancing access to markets, developing local and regional food systems, assessing the impact of economic changes to new and beginning farmers, and conducting outreach activities which can inform relevant public policy to enhance small farmers’ well-being. For example, the University of Illinois received $495,000 to research risk mitigation participation strategies for small and midsized producers in the advanced biofuel industry, while Oklahoma State University was awarded $484,000 to research economic development opportunities for small and mid-sized farms in the local and regional food system. Clarkson University in New York received $499,000 to study anaerobic digesters for small farms and University of Vermont was awarded $499,662 to research how to improve the quality of labor management decisions for small and medium-sized farm operators. A full list of awardees and their projects is available on the NIFA website.

$8.8 million for technical assistance funding opportunities for small, socially-disadvantaged producers and Rural Cooperative Centers.

In support of rebuilding America’s rural economy, USDA’s Rural Development Agency is making funding available to small and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers as well as Rural Cooperative Centers. The Small, Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant program (SSDPG) will make $3 million available to provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives and cooperative development centers. Awardees will be able to conduct market research, product and/or service improvement, feasibility studies, training, and implement business plans. Applications are being accepted through June 30, 2014. More information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website.

The Rural Cooperative Development Grant Program (RCDG) will make up to $5.8 million available to Rural Cooperative Development Centers, which in turn, provide technical assistance to individuals and entities improving the economic condition of rural areas by supporting start-up, expansion or operational improvement of rural cooperatives and other business entities. Cooperatives have often been the mechanism used by small and midsized producers to work together to access new markets or market value added products. Information about how to apply is on the Rural Development website. In 2013, business and cooperative funding through Rural Development helped 17,773 rural businesses, including 4,200 farmers and 4,472 small businesses. These investments created or saved over 41,600 jobs. Under the 2014 Farm Bill USDA will be creating an Interagency Working Group to improve coordination of programs and services between federal agencies and national and local cooperatives through the RCDG program.

USDA Certification for Small and Very Small Producers of grass-fed beef. Administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), this new verification program is tailored to meet the needs of small-scale livestock producers and the growing grass-fed beef industry. It allows small and very small-scale producers to certify that their animals meet the requirements of the grass-fed marketing claim standard, helping them differentiate themselves and communicate value to their customers. As part of USDA-wide efforts to create more opportunities for small-scale livestock producers, AMS is targeting producers that market 49 cattle or less each year by designing a less costly application process for these producers to use the USDA Certified Grass-Fed claim. Producers who are certified under the new program will receive certificates that allow them to market cattle to slaughter facilities as USDA certified grass-fed, increasing their market value and creating new economic opportunities throughout the supply chain.

Thursday, May 1, 2014 9:00 a.m. – Hearing of the Arizona Navigable Stream Adjudication Commission (ANSAC). Pursuant to A.R.S. § 37-1101, et. seq., ANSAC plans to hold watercourse navigability hearings on the San Pedro, Santa Cruz, Upper Salt, Gila, Verde, and Lower Salt Rivers. This hearing will begin in Prescott but will be completed in Phoenix at a future date to be established. The navigability proponents are always way outnumbered at these hearings by opponents, so they’re hoping some locals who do support protecting the rivers were able to attend and speak. If you care about navigating the Verde and want to keep the Verde River flowing, you can attend the hearing and simply get up and say you like to boat the Verde. Your thoughts expressed to the Commission are important and will become part of the legal record. Learn more about ANSAC at http://www.ansac.az.gov. Location: Yavapai County Supervisor Conference Room, 1015 Fair Street, Prescott, Arizona, 86305.

The Lower San Pedro Initiative Committee will meet Thursday, April 24, at 10:00 at the Aravaipa Campus of Central Arizona College. Please see the attached agenda for more information.

Agenda 04.24.14

Here is the April newsletter. Enjoy!

April 2014

Please join us for the Quarterly Meeting tomorrow, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Dunn Ranch, 55175 E. Ray Junction Road. Take hwy 177 to the Riverside/Kelvin hwy. Turn there and go 1 mile. Follow the signs.

The agenda is attached.

Lunch will be pot-luck.

See you there!
Agenda 4.9.2014.pdf