Think Outside the Barn

Conservation Stewardship Applications Due June 14

The Natural Resources Conservation Service, or NRCS, has extended its deadline for consideration for this year’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) funding from May 31 to June 14.  The Conservation Stewardship Program will provide about $175 million in funding for up to 12.6 million additional acres this year, however, interested farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners must submit their applications before the June 14 deadline to their local NRCS office for consideration.

CSP is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities

Through CSP, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to eligible producers to conserve and enhance soil, water, air and related natural resources on their cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forest lands, agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a Native American tribe, and other private agricultural land (including cropped woodland, marshes and agricultural land used for the production of livestock) on which resource concerns related to agricultural production could be addressed.  Many of the CSP enhancements improve soil quality, and help land become more resilient to extreme weather.

The entire operation must be enrolled and must include all eligible land that will be under the applicant's control for the term of the proposed contract.  CSP offers participants two possible types of payments: annual payment for installing and adopting additional activities, and improving, maintaining, and managing existing activities; and supplemental payment for the adoption of resource-conserving crop rotations.

More than 50 million acres are currently enrolled in the program.  A CSP self-screening checklist is available to help you determine if the program is suitable for your operation.  The checklist highlights basic information about CSP eligibility requirements, stewardship threshold requirements, and payment types.  For the checklist and additional information visit the CSP website (http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp/) or visit your local USDA NRCS office.  Visit the NRCS service center locator site (http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?agency=nrcs) to find your nearest NRCS field office.

In the News – USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program Sign-Up

The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced the opening of the registration for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Farmers and Ranchers can sign up for this four-week program May 20 through June 14 this year.

The Continuous Conservation Reserve Program is also available for registration May 13 through Sept. 30, 2013. That program includes the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative and other similar programs.

CRP is known for its national efforts to improve water and air quality, prevent soil erosion, develop wildlife habitat and protect areas that are prone to flash flooding and runoff.

Offers for general sign-up CRP contracts are ranked according to an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) collects data for each of the EBI factors based on the relative environmental benefits for the land offered:

• Wildlife habitat benefits resulting from covers on contract acreage
• Water quality benefits from reduced erosion, runoff and leaching
• On-farm benefits from reduced erosion
• Benefits that will likely endure beyond the contract period
• Air quality benefits from reduced wind erosion
• Cost

The USDA provides CRP participants with rental payments and cost-share assistance. The contact duration is between 10 and 15 years. Currently, 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP through 700,000 contracts on 390,000 farms throughout the U.S., with enrollment in 49 states and Puerto Rico.

For more information on eligibility requirements and registering for the Conservation Reserve Program, visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=crp-sp. For additional data and statistics about the program visit  http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/webapp?area=home&subject=copr&topic=rns.

In the News - Professional Development Grant Program

The North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program announced their 2013 Professional Development Grant Program. The deadline for preproposals is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, 2013.

The grant program funds sustainable agriculture training or educational programs for agricultral professionals and educators involved with governmental agencies, extension work or educatiors in both the profit and non-profit sectors serving the food and fiber system.

• Professional Development Program awards range from $30,000 to $75,000
• Projects may last up to 36 months
• About 5-10 projects are funded each year

To learn more, or to apply, please visit: http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Our-Grant-Programs/Professional-Development-Grant-Program. Questions can be sent to the Professional Development Project regional coordinator Dr. Rob Myers at (573) 882-1547 or meyersrob@missouri.edu.

Tax Deadline for Farmers Extended until April 15

The Missouri Department of Revenue announced Friday that the tax filing deadline for farmers and fisherman has been extended until April 15 this year. The original deadline was March 1. 

The Department of Revenue cited the late passage of the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which shortened the time period the IRS can accept tax returns, as the reason for the deadline extension. The extended deadline will also apply to those who choose to make quarterly estimated payments.

For more information on income tax filing with the Missouri Department of Revenue, go to 
http://dor.mo.gov/personal/individual/. Information about filing for farmers and fishermen can be found at the IRS' website at http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Provides-Penalty-Relief-to-Farmers-and-Fishermen.

Missouri Ag and Small Business Development Authority Recognized by Missouri Corn

During the Missouri Corn Growers Association annual meetings in Jefferson City this week, the producer organization recognized some of the individuals whose efforts made a difference for Missouri's corn growers in 2012.  Honorees included several agriculture industry companies, legislators and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority.

Tony Stafford, executive director of MASBDA, accepted the recognition during the Wednesday morning meetings. Other honorees included: Senator Kurt Schaefer, Representative Casey Guernsey, Monsanto, IntelliAir, Billy Thiel of Malta Bend, Mo., and Rob Korff of Norborne, Mo.

MASBDA works to promote the development of agriculture and small businesses to reduce, control and prevent environmental damage in Missouri.  The Authority provides additional sources of financing, including low-interest loans and grants, to farmers and agribusinesses. Want to learn more about MASBDA? Check out some of the resources available online at http://mda.mo.gov/abd/financial/.

2013 Pet Spay & Neuter Grant Applications Available NOW!

Missouri Director of Agriculture Dr. Jon Hagler toured the Jefferson City Animal Shelter yesterday to learn more about their new facility and promote the Pet Spay & Neuter Grant program. The grant program, which is in its fifth year, has provided more than $85,000 to animal shelters, rescue groups and non-profits across the state which translates into low-cost spay and neuter services for their communities.  This year, the program is expected to have another $20,000 to give, taking the total above $100,000 in five years.

Since the Jefferson City Animal Shelter opened its new doors in July 2012, it has received zero violations from inspections and has been able to raise the bar for animal care for the area. Manager Karen Jennings is thankful the new facility was built, which doubled in size compared to their previous facility. The Shelter now has seperate wings for veterinary care, animal housing, lost pets and even an outdoor play area for dogs. The new facility also welcomes more than 1300 visitors per month. Last year, the Shelter adopted out more than 1,000 pets to new homes. 

"I'm Pet Friendly" License Plates
Pet Spay & Neuter grants are funded through the sale of "I'm Pet Friendly" license plates available through the Missouri Department of Revenue. Each sale contributes $20 to the Missouri Pet Spay & Neuter program, and 752 Missouri vehicles currently sport the plate  according to Ted Farnen of the Missouri Dept. of Revenue.

Applications for 2013 grants are available now and due no later than February 15, 2013 and can be found here. To learn more about the program, visit the Department online at mda.mo.gov, or click here get your own "I'm Pet Friendly" license plate. You may also obtain your "I'm Pet Friendly plate at your local Department of Motor Vehicles. 

 

In the News - Farm Bill Extension

The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, also known as the Farm Bill, received a nine-month extension on New Year’s Day. Federal dairy policies are now extended through September of this year and some programs, such as the emergency assistance program for livestock, are set to continue to be available through the extension as well.

For information about available programs and eligibility requirements, producers should contact their local USDA offices.

To read text of the Farm Bill extension, visit the Government Printing Office online at gpo.gov or click here and scroll down until you find "Title VII-Extension of Agricultural Programs" near the bottom of the page.

$1000 Scholarship Available for New Ag Journalism Students at MU

Aspiring journalists interested in agriculture, food or science and the environment can now enter to win a new $1,000 scholarship to study science and agricultural journalism at the University of Missouri! Choose a topic from the list below, write an essay and complete the application by March 1. 

The University of Missouri's science and agricultural journalism program has opportunities for students interested in learning about and using new and traditional media alike, from photography to writing and editing, and from strategic communication, to social media and video production.

Category 1
Science and Environmental Journalism
What is the most important science or environmental fronteir of today and what is the role of journalists in communicating to this society?

Category 2
Food Journalism
How do the foods you grew up with reflect the culture of your family, heritage and/or community?

Category 3
Agricultural Journalism
What role will agricultural journalists play in solving the problems of food insecurity, both in the United States and abroad? 

Want to learn more about MU's Agricultural Journalism Department? For more information and to download your official contest entry form, click here.

 

Photo courtesy of MU Division of Applied Social Sciences

In the News - Scholarships Available from Missouri Corn Growers, Deadline is Feb. 8!

The Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council recently announced that they will award $7,500 in college scholarships for 2013.  The deadline to apply is February 8, 2013.

Applications are available online at www.mocorn.org under the Resources tab.  Students can also call the Missouri Corn office at (800) 827-4181 to request an application.  In addition to completing the application form, students must be Missouri residents, submit official high school or college transcripts and at least one letter of recommendation.

Want to learn more about the Missouri Corn Growers Association and the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council? Visit them online at www.mocorn.org.  

USDA Grants Support Local Food - Missouri Projects Received More Than $150,000

For the first time, the United States Department of Agriculture awarded grants to connect local foods with eligible schools across the United States. The effort will support nearly 2 million students in 3,200 schools.  Missouri projects received grants totaling more than $150,000 through the 2012 program.

Missouri’s Hartwig Legacy Foundation, Winona R-III School District and the DeLaSalle Education Center will all receive funding for their projects totaling more than $150,000 to keep Missouri foods local.

The Farm to School grants aim to increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, and meet demand for growing locally sourced foods. The Farm to School program is only one component of USDA’s Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative launched in 2009 to coordinate the Department’s work on local and regional food systems and to create new opportunities for farmers, ranchers, consumers and rural communities.  

To read the full story visit the USDA online at usda.gov, or just click here.