What's Up at the FSA Office?
by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148
Prescribed Fire 101 Workshop
Wednesday, March 20, Pheasants Forever (PF), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) will hold an informational meeting, inside, for landowners and land managers from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (registration from 9-9:30 a.m.) at the Upper Iowa University campus (501 Washington St., Fayette, IA). It will take place in the Andres Center room 202 on the second floor, with an elevator available for assistance. Afterwards, weather permitting, we may have an opportunity to watch a live demonstration burn in a nearby field to see how to implement a successful burn. This event is open to landowners, producers, and land managers and is free of charge.
RSVP by March 15 to Allie Rath at 319-330-6015 or arath@pheasantsforever.org. Seats are limited.
Topics include:
· Removing/controlling red cedars and other woody/invasive species
· Increasing/maintaining quality upland wildlife habitat
· Fire behavior, safety, and weather
· Prescribed burn equipment, burn planning, preparation, and implementation
In the morning, there will be complimentary coffee and refreshments provided by the Fayette County Pheasants Forever chapter. Lunch will be on your own and Upper Iowa has a nice lunch buffet open to the public within walking distance for $8.25 (plus tax)/person.
Dairy Margin Coverage Program
Though we don’t have an official signup date, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture recently said that the newly created Dairy Margin Coverage Program will be available mid-June, with potential payments going out in July. Again, we don’t have an official signup date yet, but it appears we are getting closer to one. This program replaces the former Margin Protection Program.
Sign Up to Receive Text Messages from Your Local FSA Office
One of the easiest and quickest ways we can announce program signups, deadlines, etc. is via text message. We encourage everyone to sign up for this service with us. It’s quick and easy. We will send no more than two texts per month, and they will include information on program reminders, signup deadlines, and other critical information. To sign up to receive messages from the Allamakee Co FSA office, text IAAllamakee to 372669 (FSANOW). Standard text message and data rates apply.
Mid-Contract Management (MCM) on CRP Acres
Even though we still have plenty of snow on the ground, now is a good time to start thinking about your MCM, if you are scheduled for this year. Those that are scheduled for this year would have received a packet from our office this past fall detailing what needs to be done. Most have until May 14, 2019 to complete the work, but now is a good time to start lining up contractors if you haven’t already done so, buy seed if needed, and get equipment ready. If you have technical questions, need a seeding plan, or contractor list contact the NRCS office. Any other questions can be directed to FSA.
Once you complete your MCM, notify the FSA office, sign the FSA-848B form, and provide acceptable evidence of practice completion to determine proper cost share payment.
