Some of the many events coming in Spring 2013:
Upcoming Workshops - Spring 2013 workshops hosted by Cortland SWCD
Upcoming Rural Landowner Workshops: Homesteading Series
Property Management: Getting the Most out
of Your Woodlands
Saturday, March 23, 9am-12, NYS Grange.
Topics to be covered include enhancing your woodlots for wildlife, services provided by a
consulting forester, and land conservation/easement opportunities. Presenters include: Gary Goff of Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources, a consultant forester from Forecon Incorporated and Thomas Larson from the New York State Agricultural Land Trust.
Home Conservation for Changing Times
Saturday, April 13, 9am-12, NYS Grange.
Want to learn how to make your home more energy efficient and save you money while having less of an impact on our planet? Topics to be covered include composting, rainwater conservation and programs/services for home energy conservation. Presenters include: Heather Birdsall from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County, Kris Dodson of Syracuse’s Save the Rain Program, David Alicea from the Public Policy and Education Fund, and Massimo Sammons from Cortland County
Community Action Program (CAPCO).
Raising Your Own Food: Small Livestock,
Forest Mushrooms and Permaculture
Saturday, May 18, 9am-1pm, NYS Grange.
Woodlands and areas around your house can help you become more self sufficient as well as provide food. Topics to be covered include starting a small livestock operation, growing mushrooms on logs and an overview of permaculture principles. Presenters include: Heather Birdsall from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County, Jared Popoli of Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District
along with an expert on permaculture.
Pond Management
Saturday, June 15, 9am-12, NYS Grange.
Do you have a pond? Have you had problems with algae, aquatic weeds or don't know what fish to stock? Topics to be covered include pond construction, alternative pond uses, algae/nutrient issues and pond stocking. Presenters include: a representative from Hickling’s Fish Farm and Jim Kennedy from National Pond Service, a private consulting firm.
Pre-registration is required at least a week prior to workshop. To register or for more information call our office at 607-756-5991. Workshops are in partnership with Sustainable Cortland & Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland County and are free and open to the public.
Mandatory Erosion and Sediment Control Course for SPDES Construction Activity
During the session attendees will take part in a New York State approved erosion and sediment control course that will meet the requirements described by the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) General Permit for Stormwater Discharges from Construction Activity. According to the Construction General Permit, as of May 1, 2010, at least one trained individual responsible for the implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan must be on site on a daily basis when soil disturbance activities are being performed.
Bare root tree and shrub seedlings/transplants can now be purchased through Cortland SWCD for conservation planting. By placing an order, you can help make Cortland County a cleaner, greener, healthier community for future generations. Order forms can be found here and must be received by Tuesday April 2, 2013. All orders will be available for pickup on Thursday, April 18th from 9am-5pm. Arrangements must be made to pick up your order between those times.
As always, species have been selected to provide a variety of conservation uses and are adapted to Cortland County site conditions. By offering planting materials in several groups, the program is set up to meet the needs of all county landowners, whether they own a quarter acre lot or hundreds of acres. In addition to SWCD’s spring planting program, we also have a pond stocking program and can offer technical advice on numerous natural resource topics. SWCD encourages county residents to stop by the office or call for more details on services and programs that are offered.
Conservation District Secures Over 1.5M Dollars for Farm Stewardship Practices
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has announced rankings of proposals for Round 18 of the Agricultural Nonpoint Source (Ag NPS) Abatement and Control Program. On July 23rd, Governor Cuomo announced $10.6 million in grants designated to the Ag NPS to 159 farms in 27 counties, of which, the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was able to secure cost share funding of over 1.5 million dollars. This grant program supports the Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Program by funding planning and implementation practices on farms throughout the State.
These projects further the Conservation District’s efforts to implement the Cortland County AEM Strategic Plan, enhance land protected for agricultural use, and are driven by farm operator responsibility and stewardship ethics. This is clearly the case in Cortland County, where the several farms participating have committed nearly 740 thousand dollars in resources for projects on their farms. These projects will help farms recycle and reuse on farm nutrients in an environmentally sound manner, will help control soil erosion and aid in the protection of both our surface and groundwater resources.
According to a recent survey by the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, well over 90 percent of grant dollars spent on conservation projects were reinvested back into the local and regional economy. Local contractors are hired to implement the projects and supplies are purchased from area businesses that spend this money locally on labor, materials and equipment. In addition to the positive local economic impacts, participation in these programs also helps foster a positive and active relationship between Cortland County agriculture, local supporting agencies, the community, and the environment.
Farms that do not have a current AEM Tier 3 plan or Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan, and wish to be eligible for future grant funding should contact the District. Having up to date conservation plans helps ensure that the appropriate Best Management Practices (BMPs) are being implemented in the most suitable places to meet both environmental needs and farm management objectives. For more information on AEM or any of the other programs or services offered by the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District, please call 607-756-5991 or visit our website at www.cortlandswcd.org.
Outdoor Burning Regulations
In 2009, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) passed regulations prohibiting all open burning, including household trash and yard waste (leaves included). This open burn ban expands on the previous prohibition of burning household trash in wood stoves, fire places, and other outdoor wood burning devices. For more information click here or call Cortland SWCD at (607)756-5991.
NEWSLETTER
Click here to view the Winter 2013 SWCD Newsletter
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