High Tunnel Pilot Project Announced Apply by Feb. 12 Guidelines to implement the program in Nevada have now been released by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Applicants must be agricultural producers who raise or sell at least $1,000 worth of agricultural products each year, and the high tunnel(s) must be installed on existing cultivated land that has been cultivated for at least two years before installation of the high tunnel(s).  Successful applicants can receive financial assistance amounting to about 75 percent of the cost of the high tunnel and related costs.  Beginning, socially disadvantaged, and limited resource farmers can receive about 90 percent of the costs. High tunnels are structures that modify the growing climate, allowing for tender, sensitive, and specialty crops like certain varieties of vegetables, herbs, berries, and others to grow where they otherwise may not. High tunnels can lengthen the timeframe for local marketing of produce, which increases sustainability while lowering energy and transportation inputs. In arid climates, high tunnels may slow evaporation and decrease irrigation water use. An extended growing season and steady income may offer advantages to small, limited resource, and organic farmers.  They can also assist producers transitioning to specialty crops.

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Wetland Reserve Program Open Applications Due April 1 RENO, Feb. 5 — Funds are available to Nevada landowners and Tribes to restore, protect and enhance wetlands under the Wetland Reserve Program of the 2008 Farm Bill. Nevada landowners should apply on or before April 1 to be considered for funding this year. WRP is a voluntary program administered by NRCS that provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and Indian Tribes to restore, protect, and enhance wetlands in exchange for retiring eligible land from agriculture. Compatible uses may be granted for appropriate and approved agricultural activities. Funds are available for the purchase of wetland conservation easements, restoration agreements, or to install restoration practices. Applicants for permanent easements must have owned the land for at least 7 years, although NRCS may waive this ownership requirement.

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Resource Conservation and Development Councils are Making a Difference in Nevada In addition to administering Farm Bill programs, the NRCS oversees the Resource Conservation and Development Program.  Guided by local community leaders, RC&D councils and coordinators work with a variety of different partners to apply conservation in innovative ways and stimulate economic development.  They help build community parks and gardens, educate youth, explore alternative energy sources, and teach safe arbor techniques to Hispanic workers, to name just a few of the creative projects they are involved in.  Newsletters from our Da Ka Doiyabe and High Desert RC&D Councils have recently been published.  We hope you enjoy reading these newsletters to see the wonderful projects they've accomplished and to learn about the new projects they have underway. For more information about Resource Conservation and Development Councils, check out our RC&D Web page.   ...More Info

 

Centennial Awards Program Looking to Recognize Long-time Nevada Families If your farm or ranch has been in your family for 100 years or more, the Agricultural Council of Nevada would like to hear from you. The Ag Council is the lead sponsor of Nevada’s Centennial Ranch and Farm Awards Program.  According to Liz Warner, program coordinator, thirty-five long-time, family-owned agricultural operations have been recognized since the program started in 2004. Bruce Petersen, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, one of the founding sponsors, said, “We know that ranchers and farmers are the best stewards of the land.  They wouldn’t be in operation for 100 years or more if they hadn’t taken care of their natural resources.” Applications are due by June 1, 2010.  Application forms and more information can be found on the Web at http://www.nv.nrcs.usda.gov/centennial_awards.html.  For more information, contact Liz Warner at the NRCS State Office, (775) 857-8500 x 105.

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