This is a press release about "$500 Million from Farm Bill Is Part of Broader Commitment from FSA and NRCS to Working Lands Conservation that Benefits Wildlife and Supports Agriculture and Rural Communities" Your local NRCS office will know more as the programs are initiated; but, it is good to know what may be coming your way! Here is a link to this press release: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-room/news-releases/2023/usda-announces-historic-investment-in-wildlife-conservation-expands-partnership-to-include-additional-programs?utm_campaign=0627wildlife&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Biden-Harris Administration Announces $43 Million Investment to Advance Innovation in Wood Products and Wood Energy Economies through Investing in America Agenda | USDA Part by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, these funds are being invested in 123 projects nationwide. Learn more here: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/06/09/biden-harris-administration-announces-43-million-investment-advance
The first ever official KWOA regional meeting is planned for August 1, 2023 in Ohio County. See full details on the KWOA Meeting Page here . KWOA is partnering with the Ohio County Extension Office and UK Forestry and Natural Resources Extension to host this event. The idea behind regional meetings is to allow woodland owners to come together in focusing on the challenges they face locally. We hope KWOA members will continue to meet regionally according to their own schedules and topics of interest.
Chestnut trees will begin to bloom in Kentucky from mid- June to early July. Be on the look-out for wild type Americans in your woods. A few surviving stump sprouts live long enough to begin to bloom. However, few produce viable nuts because of the trees need to cross pollinate. Col. Jimmie Sizemore, KWOA Director and American Chestnut Foundation volunteer, provided pictures below to help you search. If you find what you believe to be a surviving American chestnut you can report its location by using a form found at www.acf.org. Or simply use the Tree Snap App to record the tree and its location.
Use "Read More" button to see quoted excerpt of interest to woodland owners. KCC, Kentucky Conservation Committee's complete 2023 Legislative Review and Conservation Brief is available online at drive.google.com/file/d/1myZjhtcVUiKdlWAgH9F4y83YMzZPgut5/view.
USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions (including KY) Part of Broader Effort across the US to Implement the Inflation Reduction Act. Learn more here.https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/usda-opens-full-time-entry-level-soil-conservationist-positions-across-us-as-part-of-broader?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Dr. Clifton L. Taylor, long time member, mentor, and former KWOA & KWOF director, has passed away at the age of 92, leaving a legacy of sustainable forestry. Clifton and his late wife Barbara along with their sons Scott and Steve were dedicated tree farmers on their beloved Elk Cave Farm. Clifton was recognized as the 2017 Kentucky Tree Farmer of the Year and as one of four nationally recognized Regional Tree Farmers of the Year in 2022. His professional career was dedicated to educating agricultural and forestry producers through various positions in the cooperative extension systems at the University of Kentucky and the University of Florida. He served as county 4-H and agricultural agents in Monroe and Simpson counties in Kentucky, and then later served as a professor and extension specialist at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences where he held leadership roles as Associate Dean and Interim Dean for Extension. Here is a link to the full obituary with information on visitation and services: https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/27628101/clifton-l-taylor/perryville/kentucky/walden-funeral-home NRCS Kentucky just (3/30/23) extended the IRA-EQIP and IRA-CSP sign-up period until April 21, 2023. Although the extended opportunity is open to all applicants, this 21-day extension to accept applications is being offered to ensure under-served communities have been provided the time and information they need in order to participate in this FY 2023 IRA funding opportunity. KWOA is helping get the word out to woodland owners. See November 2022 post on the here for background information. IRA provides additional funds to be administered through existing NRCS programs following the same program policy and rules. The main difference is that the IRA contracts will be limited to include only those practices identified (by NRCS) to provide climate related benefits. Contact your local NRCS office to see if you are eligible and apply for program cost-share; find your local office at https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/contact/find-a-service-center
The White Oak Initiative and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently collaborated on a brochure highlighting the funding opportunities and technical assistance available to landowners who are interested in caring for their white oak woods. The message is clear: “Healthy oak forests take time to mature. Start actively managing your woods today.”
Download and share “Caring for Your White Oak Woods.” |
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