The Trenton Office staff, along with Dyer & Henry County Field Office staff, participated in a two-day, county wide ag day event for all 4th graders in the Gibson County Special School District held at the local fairgrounds in Trenton on September 10th & 11th. A total of 8 different schools which included a home school group participated in the two-day event totaling over 520 students. The Gibson County Ag Day was sponsored by the Gibson County Farm Bureau Women, Gibson Co. SCD, and UT/TSU Extension Service-AgrAbility. The purpose of the festival was to acclimate the students to the Agriculture industry to teach them where our food comes from, and how to manage and take care of what Mother Nature has provided.
The Trenton Field Office presented the Water Quality demonstration for the students. Todd Reynolds, Soil Conservationist Trenton Field Office, Luke Hemby, Gibson Co. SCD County Technician, Emily Pope, Soil Conservationist – Dyersburg Field Office, Ryan Winchester; Soil Conservationist - Paris Field Office & Ryan Blackwood, Soil Conservationist, assisted with this tour over the two-day period. The rainfall simulator was used to demonstrate the raindrop impact, runoff and infiltration that occurs on the different landscapes in the county. Soil pans were taken from a conventional tilled corn crop with no residue present, pasture & a no-till corn crop with heavy residue. The students were involved to let them determine which land use had the greatest runoff and infiltration rates. The clarity and muddiness of the runoff was discussed, and the students learned that soil lost to erosion was the contributor to the muddy water that they might see after a rain event when traveling or maybe even near where they live. The students learned the importance of keeping a cover/residue on the land, especially through the winter months. Additionally, the students were shown how to pace their steps to measure distances in the field. They were also shown a laser level, dumpy level and a survey rod. We demonstrated how we would survey in the field to attain survey shots that might be used to aid in the design of an erosion control structure. The students also got to look through the dumpy instrument to read the correct number on the survey rod.
USDA Announces Sign-Up Period for Updated Conservation Stewardship Program
Deadline to be considered for funding is May 10, 2019
TRENTON, April 8, 2019 – The next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2019 is May 10, 2019. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes to this critical conservation program, which helps agricultural producers take the conservation activities on their farm or ranch to the next level.
“CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Sheldon Hightower, Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist. “It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled.”
While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers should submit applications to their local NRCS office by May 10, 2019, to ensure their applications are considered for 2019 funding.
Changes to the Program
The 2018 Farm Bill authorizes NRCS to accept new CSP enrollments from now until 2023, and it makes some important improvements to the program. These updates include:
- NRCS now enrolls eligible, high ranking applications based on dollars rather than acres. For fiscal year 2019, NRCS can spend up to $700 million in the program, which covers part of the cost for producers implementing new conservation activities and maintaining their existing activities.
- Higher payment rates are now available for certain conservation activities, including cover crops and resource conserving crop rotations.
- CSP now provides specific support for organic and for transitioning to organic production activities and a special grassland conservation initiative for certain producers who have maintained cropland base acres.
About the Program
CSP is offered in Tennessee through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many benefits including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to weather extremes. CSP is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest land and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a tribe.
More Information
For additional information about CSP, contact your local USDA service center at: 1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN 38382.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
USDA NRCS in Tennessee Now Accepting FY 2019 EQIP Applications Application deadline is Friday, January 18, 2019
TRENTON, December 18, 2018– Producers in Tennessee who are interested in implementing conservation practices to improve natural resources on their farmland have until Friday, January 18, 2019 to submit their application for financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).
“We accept applications for this program on a continuous basis, however, only the applications received by January 18th will be considered for funding this fiscal year,” said Sheldon Hightower, NRCS Tennessee State Conservationist. “EQIP places a priority on water quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices by offering financial and technical assistance to address these resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”
EQIP will be offering funding for High Tunnel and On-Farm Energy initiatives for this signup in addition to traditional funding opportunities. EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, wildlife habitat enhancement, and cover crops for soil resource protection.
Applications can be taken at the USDA Service Center-NRCS Field Office, 1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN 38382. Applications MUST be received in your local Service Center by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019.
NRCS continually strives to put conservation planning at the forefront of its programs and initiatives. Conservation plans provide landowners with a comprehensive inventory and assessment of their resources and an appropriate start to improving the quality of soil, water, air, plants, and wildlife on their land.
Conservation planning services can also be obtained through a Technical Service Provider (TSP) who will develop a Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) to identify conservation practices needed to address a specific natural resource need. Typically, these plans are specific to certain kinds of land use, such as transitioning to organic operations, grazing land, or forest land. CAPs can also address a specific resource need, such as a plan for management of nutrients. Although not required, producers who first develop a CAP for their land use, may use this information in applying for future implementation contracts.
To find out more about EQIP, fill out the eligibility forms, or obtain an application, visit the Tennessee NRCS website.
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.
USDA NRCS Announces Funding Opportunity to
Adopt Conservation Practices through Initiatives and Special Projects
Deadline for Applications is Friday, November 2, 2018
TRENTON, September 28, 2018 - The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is announcing a funding opportunity through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to facilitate the adoption of conservation practices for several of the NRCS National Initiatives and Special Projects. To be considered in this fiscal year (FY) 2019 first funding cycle, applications must be received by Friday, November 2, 2018.
“While we accept applications for this program on a continuous basis, only the applications received by November 2 will be considered for funding this fiscal year,” said Sheldon Hightower, Tennessee NRCS State Conservationist. “This early sign-up places a priority on water quality, water conservation, and promotes soil health practices by offering assistance to landowners to address resource concerns on eligible agricultural land.”
EQIP is an incentives-based program that provides technical and financial assistance to eligible private landowners for conservation systems such as animal waste management facilities, irrigation system efficiency improvements, fencing, and water supply development for improved grazing management, riparian protection, and wildlife habitat enhancement.
Projects to be considered for this early funding cycle include:
• Mississippi River Basin Initiative: To address water quality concerns and agricultural sources of nutrients and sediment, NRCS works with farmers and conservation partners to implement conservation practices that help trap sediment and reduce nutrient runoff to improve the overall health of the Mississippi River.
Interested applicants must meet the specific funding pool’s required criteria to be considered for funding in this early signup. EQIP applications submitted after the cut-off date of November 2, 2018 will be accepted on a continuous basis and may be considered for funding at a later date in the fiscal year.
For more information about signing up for EQIP please visit the Trenton USDA Service Center (1252 Manufacturers Row, Trenton, TN 38382). For more information about Tennessee NRCS, visit the website at www.tn.nrcs.usda.gov.
Trenton Field Office Welcomes Luke Hemby
The Gibson County Soil Conservation District is proud to announce the newest addition to the Trenton Field Office, Mr. Luke Hemby. Luke was hired on as the new District Technician in August. We are very excited and know that Luke will be an asset for the Trenton Field Office and the producers of Gibson County.
Luke is a native of Gates, Tennessee and a 2012 graduate from The University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in Agriculture. He has spent the last 4 years working as a District Technician for the Lauderdale County Soil Conservation District. In Luke’s free time, he enjoys raising horses, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and being a pickup man in saddle bronc and bareback riding competitions at rodeos.
Gibson County Soil Conservation District Takes Home Blue Ribbon
The Gibson County Soil Conservation District along with NRCS participated in the 164th Gibson County Fair by displaying an exhibit that won first place. The theme of the Gibson County Fair was Let The Good Times Grow. The booth displayed this theme well by incorporating agriculture into a fun environment for children and adults to enjoy. Many of the props were made by Mr. Hill Rodgers, retired GCSCD technician. Pamphlets and other handouts were provided at the exhibit to offer education on conservation to a non-traditional audience.
