Just another refresher course
Comments (...)Recently, my younger daughter has done her best to have Dad enjoy some learning experiences she herself goes through on a daily basis in school. Except in this situation, I am the pupil, and she is the teacher. I have done my best to take her seriously, even though seeing her dressed in her mother’s clothes and having her correct me for referring to her by real name (instead of her actual teacher’s name) did make it difficult. Regardless, I gave it my best effort and completed the task of writing my name and the letters of the alphabet. After turning in my work for review, I received a hearty “congratulations” for doing my best and encouragement to continue practicing to ensure that my writing skills improve. Now that is what I call positive reinforcement, to not forget what you thought you learned a long time ago.
One thing many farmers learned a long time ago was provisions enacted with the passage of “The Food Security Act of 1985.” Portions of the bill addressed the desire to halt the conversion of wetlands to crop production acres, and it is still applicable today. As a result, producers receiving USDA benefits must certify they have not produced crops on converted wetlands after Dec. 23, 1985, and that they did not convert a wetland to make agricultural production possible after Nov. 28, 1990. Land that predominately contains hydric soils (soils formed under wet conditions), contains hydrophytic vegetation (vegetation adapted to wet soil conditions), and the soils saturated enough by surface or groundwater to support hydrophytic vegetation is considered a wetland.
Many farms in Bureau County have wetlands on them, but it still can be confusing as to what constitutes a wetland. First thing a farmer should do when considering tiling, filling, draining, land leveling, clearing woody vegetation or diverting run-off water is to visit the Farm Service Agency Office and submit a request to have the proposed action reviewed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This simple step can save much time and prevent loss of benefits. This same step is also required before a producer intends to plant crops on acreage that does not currently have a designation of highly erodible land or non-highly erodible.
Another area farmers became familiar with a long time ago is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), as it was first authorized more than 25 years ago. This program is still in existence and is reauthorized with each new farm bill. It has become one of the most popular conservation programs available, as it offers rental payments to landowners for taking environmentally sensitive acreage out of crop production and applying a conservation practice to improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and provide a wildlife habitat. Enrollment for General CRP Signup No. 43 begins March 12 and ends April 6.
Last but not least, farmers also learned a long time ago, that now, before crops are planted is the best time to re-inspect existing CRP acreage to insure the lengths and widths of conservation practices are still the same as agreed to when the CRP agreement was signed. Taking time this spring to verify the correct dimension of existing CRP waterways, filter strips or other conservation practices, can prevent contract violations and loss of benefits.
These topics, like so many, are not new to most of us, but as I have been reminded by my daughters, learning is fun, and sometimes we all need a refresher course.
Brad W. Powelson is the county executive director of the Bureau County Farm Service Agency.
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