Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
2019 All Athens County Photo Contest Entries |
MISSION STATEMENT
Provide leadership by promoting the wise use and enhancement of Athens County’s natural resources for current and future generations. The Athens SWCD is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, associated with the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) - Division of Soil and Water Conservation, and funded by county and state taxpayer monies.
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2020 Tree and Wildlife Packet
ANNOUNCEMENT
After consultation with staff and board, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the tree seedling portion of the 2020 Wildlife and Tree Seedling Sale. This was not an easy decision; there were simply too many unknowns at this time to proceed. The health and safety of our staff, volunteers and the public will always be our top priority.
We did however receive the following items and will make them available to the individuals that have ordered them:
Shiitake Mushroom Kits, Wild Ginger Groundcover, Partridge Berry Groundcover, Wild Geranium Groundcover (substitution for Wild Columbine)
Wildlife Food Plot Seed Mix, Erosion Control Seed Mix, Wildflower and Grass Seed Mix, Ohio Pollinator Seed Mix, Ohio Pollinator (No Grass) Seed Mix, Bat Boxes, Blue Bird Boxes, Tree Marking Flags, Plantskydd – RTU, Plantskydd – Soluble Powder, Weed Wand Magic
The Athens SWCD staff will contact individuals that ordered any of the above items to discuss distribution.
The Athens SWCD staff will also work with individuals to make refunds for items not received. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 740-797-9686 or through our website at www.athensswcd.org.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to do what is best for our community during this stressful time. We look forward to working with you at our 2021 Wildlife and Tree Seedling Sale.
We did however receive the following items and will make them available to the individuals that have ordered them:
Shiitake Mushroom Kits, Wild Ginger Groundcover, Partridge Berry Groundcover, Wild Geranium Groundcover (substitution for Wild Columbine)
Wildlife Food Plot Seed Mix, Erosion Control Seed Mix, Wildflower and Grass Seed Mix, Ohio Pollinator Seed Mix, Ohio Pollinator (No Grass) Seed Mix, Bat Boxes, Blue Bird Boxes, Tree Marking Flags, Plantskydd – RTU, Plantskydd – Soluble Powder, Weed Wand Magic
The Athens SWCD staff will contact individuals that ordered any of the above items to discuss distribution.
The Athens SWCD staff will also work with individuals to make refunds for items not received. If you have any questions, please contact our office at 740-797-9686 or through our website at www.athensswcd.org.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we strive to do what is best for our community during this stressful time. We look forward to working with you at our 2021 Wildlife and Tree Seedling Sale.
Attention Teachers
Check out our Science Resources for "Home" Science Lessons from the
Athens SWCD Education Coordinator on the "Education Page"
Earth Day 2020
April 22, the 50th Anniversary will soon be here!
Be part of it in your own backyard!
While the whole world stops to address the COVID-19 pandemic and we are sheltering at home, the Earth proceeds in her daily routine of change and renewal. We can see this as spring is here and brings on new leaves, blooming flowers, and the nesting call and actions of our backyard birds.
Let’s celebrate what the Earth means to us by planning one action of ‘stewardship’ and care for Earth Day 2020 and everyday. Your celebration doesn’t need parades, fireworks, or great speeches. It only needs you to perform one action of conservation and making that action part of your routine.
Consider the following suggestions:
If everyone did one act of conservation consistently, we would all be part of good stewardship and be a good conservation neighbor to others and the Earth as well.
Questions: Contact Athens Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-797-9686.
Let’s celebrate what the Earth means to us by planning one action of ‘stewardship’ and care for Earth Day 2020 and everyday. Your celebration doesn’t need parades, fireworks, or great speeches. It only needs you to perform one action of conservation and making that action part of your routine.
Consider the following suggestions:
- Plant a tree… It will cool the Earth on a hot summer day and clean the air by using carbon dioxide and producing clean oxygen. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/features/?cid=nrcs143_023591
- Clean up trash where you see it… Rain fall and run-off places lots of trash in our streams and rivers. Picking it up keeps our water clean.
- Sow seeds on bare ground… Growing plants keeps soils in place and prevents erosion. Healthy soil means healthy plant growth. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-plants-help-slow-soil-erosion/
- Turn out a light … Conserving energy reduces pollution and the cost of energy.
- Don’t waste water… Clean fresh water is limited. Conserving its use saves it for later and reduces its cost.
- Start a compost pile… Turning kitchen vegetable waste into compost, builds a better soil. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/newsroom/features/?&cid=nrcs143_023537
- Mulch mow your lawn… By mulching your lawn clippings we return the nutrients locked in the clippings back to the soil to be used again by the lawn and reducing the need for fertilizers. https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/home/?cid=nrcs143_023497
- Plant native perennials for the pollinators and reduce the use of pesticides… Providing food for pollinators and decreasing the chemicals that kill them, we increase their ability to help us produce our food.
- Recycle plastics, paper and aluminum… Reusing materials, reduces the need to exploit raw materials. It also keeps these products out of land fills and reduces their presence as pollution in our streams, rivers and oceans.
- Pick up after pets… We share a lot with our pets but we shouldn’t share their waste. By picking up and disposing properly of their waste we keep it out of our streams and our water supply.
If everyone did one act of conservation consistently, we would all be part of good stewardship and be a good conservation neighbor to others and the Earth as well.
Questions: Contact Athens Soil and Water Conservation District at 740-797-9686.
Conservation Reserve Program - Grassland
Signup Begins March 16th
Farmers may apply to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup beginning March 16th. The signup runs through May 15th.
"Through this CRP Grasslands signup, farmers and ranchers can protect grasslands, rangelands and pastures, while maintaining the land as working grazing lands," said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). "The program emphasizes support for grazing operations and plant and animal biodiversity, while protecting land under the greatest threat of conversion or development.
Through CRP Grasslands, participants retain the right to conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing or harvesting seed from the enrolled land. Timing of some activities may be restricted by the primary nesting season of birds.
Participants will receive an annual rental payment and may receive up to 50 percent cost-share for establishing approved conservation practices. The duration of the CRP contract is either 10 or 15 years. FSA will rank applications using a number of factors including existence of expiring CRP land, threat of conversion or development, existing grassland, and predominance of native species cover, and cost.
The 2018 Farm Bill set aside 2 million acres for CRP Grassland enrollment. CRP is one of the largest conservation programs at USDA. CRP marks its 35-year anniversary in 2020 with 22 million acres currently enrolled.
For more information or to enroll in CRP Grasslands, contact the Athens Hocking FSA office at 740-797-9686 or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
"Through this CRP Grasslands signup, farmers and ranchers can protect grasslands, rangelands and pastures, while maintaining the land as working grazing lands," said Richard Fordyce, Administrator of USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). "The program emphasizes support for grazing operations and plant and animal biodiversity, while protecting land under the greatest threat of conversion or development.
Through CRP Grasslands, participants retain the right to conduct common grazing practices, such as haying, mowing or harvesting seed from the enrolled land. Timing of some activities may be restricted by the primary nesting season of birds.
Participants will receive an annual rental payment and may receive up to 50 percent cost-share for establishing approved conservation practices. The duration of the CRP contract is either 10 or 15 years. FSA will rank applications using a number of factors including existence of expiring CRP land, threat of conversion or development, existing grassland, and predominance of native species cover, and cost.
The 2018 Farm Bill set aside 2 million acres for CRP Grassland enrollment. CRP is one of the largest conservation programs at USDA. CRP marks its 35-year anniversary in 2020 with 22 million acres currently enrolled.
For more information or to enroll in CRP Grasslands, contact the Athens Hocking FSA office at 740-797-9686 or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
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USDA opened signup for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) on December 9, 2019. Farmers and landowners who enroll in CRP receive a yearly rental payment for voluntarily establishing long-term, resource-conserving plant species, such as approved grasses or trees (known as “covers”) to control soil erosion, improve water quality and develop wildlife habitat on marginally productive agricultural lands. CRP has 22 million acres enrolled, but the 2018 Farm Bill lifted the cap to 27 million acres. This means farmers and landowners have a chance to enroll in CRP for the first time or continue their participation for another term. By enrolling in CRP, producers are improving water quality, reducing soil erosion, and restoring habitat for wildlife. This in turn spurs hunting, fishing, recreation, tourism, and other economic development across rural America.
CRP Enrollment Options
General Signup - CRP general signup will be held annually. The competitive general signup will now include increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat through the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative.
Continuous Signup - While some practices under SAFE will remain available through continuous signup, CRP continuous signup will focus primarily on water quality with the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative. The 2018 Farm Bill prioritizes water quality practices such as contour grass strips, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetlands and a new prairie strip.
USDA will also be working with Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partners to relaunch CREP continuous options in each state under new statutory provisions. CREP will continue to target high-priority local, state or regional conservation concerns.
Grasslands Signups - CRP Grasslands signup helps landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland, and pastureland and certain other lands while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. A separate CRP Grasslands signup will be offered each year following general signup.
Pilot Programs - Later in 2020, (FSA will roll out pilot programs within CRP: CLEAR 30, which allows contracts expiring with CLEAR practices to be reenrolled in 30-year contracts and in the Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) in the prairie pothole region. More information on these programs will be announced in the new year.
Land Transition - The CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP) is an option for producers interested in transitioning land to a beginning farmer landowner or a member of a socially disadvantaged group to return land to production for sustainable grazing or crop production. CRP contract holders no longer need to be a retired or retiring owner or operator to transition their land. TIP participants may have a lease less than five years with an option to purchase, and they have two years before the end of the CRP contract to make conservation and land improvements.
Previously Expired Land - Land enrolled in CRP under a 15-year contract that expired in September 2017, 2018 or 2019, may be eligible for enrollment if there was no opportunity for re-enrollment and the practice under the expired contract has been maintained.
CRP Rates and Payments - FSA recently posted updated soil rental rates for CRP. County average rates are posted on the CRP Statistics webpage. Soil rental rates are statutorily prorated at 90 percent for continuous signup and 85 percent for general signup. The rental rates will be assessed annually. Under continuous signup, producers also receive incentives, including a signup incentive payment and a practice incentive payment.
To enroll in CRP, contact your FSA County office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
CRP Enrollment Options
General Signup - CRP general signup will be held annually. The competitive general signup will now include increased opportunities for enrollment of wildlife habitat through the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) initiative.
Continuous Signup - While some practices under SAFE will remain available through continuous signup, CRP continuous signup will focus primarily on water quality with the Clean Lakes, Estuaries, and Rivers (CLEAR) Initiative. The 2018 Farm Bill prioritizes water quality practices such as contour grass strips, filter strips, riparian buffers, wetlands and a new prairie strip.
USDA will also be working with Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) partners to relaunch CREP continuous options in each state under new statutory provisions. CREP will continue to target high-priority local, state or regional conservation concerns.
Grasslands Signups - CRP Grasslands signup helps landowners and operators protect grassland, including rangeland, and pastureland and certain other lands while maintaining the areas as grazing lands. A separate CRP Grasslands signup will be offered each year following general signup.
Pilot Programs - Later in 2020, (FSA will roll out pilot programs within CRP: CLEAR 30, which allows contracts expiring with CLEAR practices to be reenrolled in 30-year contracts and in the Soil Health and Income Protection Program (SHIPP) in the prairie pothole region. More information on these programs will be announced in the new year.
Land Transition - The CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP) is an option for producers interested in transitioning land to a beginning farmer landowner or a member of a socially disadvantaged group to return land to production for sustainable grazing or crop production. CRP contract holders no longer need to be a retired or retiring owner or operator to transition their land. TIP participants may have a lease less than five years with an option to purchase, and they have two years before the end of the CRP contract to make conservation and land improvements.
Previously Expired Land - Land enrolled in CRP under a 15-year contract that expired in September 2017, 2018 or 2019, may be eligible for enrollment if there was no opportunity for re-enrollment and the practice under the expired contract has been maintained.
CRP Rates and Payments - FSA recently posted updated soil rental rates for CRP. County average rates are posted on the CRP Statistics webpage. Soil rental rates are statutorily prorated at 90 percent for continuous signup and 85 percent for general signup. The rental rates will be assessed annually. Under continuous signup, producers also receive incentives, including a signup incentive payment and a practice incentive payment.
To enroll in CRP, contact your FSA County office or visit fsa.usda.gov/crp.
Enrollment Continues for Agriculture Risk Coverage
and Price Loss Coverage Programs
Agricultural producers can continue to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2019 and 2020 crop year.
ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.
Signup for the 2020 crop year closes June 30, 2020, while signup for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020. Producers who have not yet enrolled for 2019 can enroll for both 2019 and 2020 during the same visit to an FSA county office.
ARC and PLC have options for the farm operator who is actively farming the land as well as the owner of the land. Farm owners also have a one-time opportunity to update PLC payment yields beginning with crop year 2020. If the farm owner and producer visit the FSA county office together, FSA can also update yield information during that visit.
Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
For more information on ARC and PLC including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions specific to their operations, visit the ARC and PLC webpage.
ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.
Signup for the 2020 crop year closes June 30, 2020, while signup for the 2019 crop year closes March 15, 2020. Producers who have not yet enrolled for 2019 can enroll for both 2019 and 2020 during the same visit to an FSA county office.
ARC and PLC have options for the farm operator who is actively farming the land as well as the owner of the land. Farm owners also have a one-time opportunity to update PLC payment yields beginning with crop year 2020. If the farm owner and producer visit the FSA county office together, FSA can also update yield information during that visit.
Covered commodities include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium and short grain rice, safflower seed, seed cotton, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat.
For more information on ARC and PLC including two online decision tools that assist producers in making enrollment and election decisions specific to their operations, visit the ARC and PLC webpage.