A part of living on acreage that needs tending and care is making sure to learn as much as possible about how to be a responsible landowner. Over the past couple of years we have connected with a few organizations that offer assistance to landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest owners in the way of classes, conferences, workshops etc.. June 21 and 22 US Department of Agriculture (NRCS) Natural Resources Conservation Services along with Minority Landowner Magazine offered a Farmers and Landowners Workshop here on St. Helena Island. According to the flyer, “The US Department of Agriculture representatives will share information to help improve your farm, whether large or small. Experts will be available for financial assistance programs; conservation programs; farm loan programs; organic farming and pollinators; soil health; agricultural marketing; vegetable production; pest management; cattle and hay operations; and high tunnels (hoop houses)”
Day 1, indoor presentations were made at the Frissell Community House on the Penn Center Campus. “The outreach workshops provided an opportunity for underserved farmers, ranchers and landowners to learn more about NRCS programs and services, meet NRCS representatives and open the door to increased participation in NRCS programs.” The first presentation was a video shown by Minority Landowner Magazine to introduce us to issues addressed during its annual conference and programs that can assist landowners utilize conservation practices that can enhance our property.
Next we received information about USDA Programs by Kellee M. Melton, Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, NRCS. Ms. Melton’s power point presentation included descriptions of EQIP, Environmental Quality Incentives Program, (CSA) Conservation Stewardship Program and (AMA) Agricultural Management Assistance.
“The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to plan and implement conservation practices that improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related natural resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. EQIP may also help producers meet Federal, State, Tribal, and local environmental regulations.”
“The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps agricultural producers maintain and improve their existing conservation systems and adopt additional conservation activities to address priority resources concerns. Participants earn CSP payments for conservation performance - the higher the performance, the higher the payment.”
Agricultural Management Assistance “AMA helps agricultural producers use conservation to manage risk and solve natural resource issues through natural resources conservation. NRCS administers the AMA conservation provisions while the Agricultural Marketing Service and the Risk Management Agency implement other provisions under AMA.”
Also on the schedule were representatives from USDA’s Certified Organic Agriculture, who spoke about organic methods and certification, organic financial assistance and Crop Insurance. “USDA offers several programs that help organic farmers and ranchers meet the natural resources conservation requirements of organic agriculture”. The final presentation introduced extending the growing season through the use of high tunnels with the NRCS High Tunnel Initiative.
Day 2
We were invited to visit a local farm and participate in the construction of a seasonal high tunnel built from the ground up. Minority Landowner Magazine supplied the high tunnel and contracted a company from West Virginia to construct the tunnel and supervise our participation. The temperature that day was near 100⁰F, the crew work crew had a difficult time but continued with their task. It was discovered there were some pieces missing from the tunnel kit that were needed. The crew worked as much as possible for the day with the intent of returning in a week to finish the work. Everyone in attendance was invited to return to see the completed project, we look forward to seeing it.
This workshop was very informative. Tony took Tuesday off in order to attend. We had the opportunity to speak with our NRCS agent, Diane Leone of the Ridgeland office. This was Tony’s second time speaking with her in person and my first. During Tony’s visit at the USDA office he registered our property and we were later assigned our farm number. This was the first step on our journey toward qualifying for assistance from the EQIP programs. Ms. Leone visited Morning Glory last Friday and made an initial evaluation of our needs, suggestions were made and future visits will be made as soon as possible.
Jasper County
NRCS Field Office
Federal Bldg. and Post Office
PO Box 210
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Tel: 843-726-8148
Fax: 843-726-5763
(Also serves Beaufort County)
Minority Landowner Magazine is published quarterly by Cierra Publishing Company.
Address all inquiries to:
Cierra Publishing Company
P.O. Box 97033
Raleigh, North Carolina 27624
Phone: 919.215.1632
