Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY
Applications will be available on Thursday, December 6 for the 2012 Carroll County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) at the Carroll County Extension Office, 500 Floyd Drive, Carrollton.
Applications must be returned to the Carroll County Extension Office between December 6 and December 20--we cannot accept applications before or after these dates.
A Farm Serial Number is required information for the application, and it is strongly recommended you contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at (502) 732-6931 to receive or confirm that number. Only the FSA can provide your Farm Serial Number.
The CAIP is a cost-share program that originates from the 1998 Master Tobacco Settlement and provides funding for the following agricultural categories:
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Local NRCS Working Group Meeting Scheduled to Discuss EQIP
Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal program that provides technical and financial assistance to land users to address natural resource concerns. NRCS is asking for local input for the fiscal year 2013 program.
For fiscal year 2013, EQIP will be administered in Kentucky using four ranking areas across the state. The ranking areas consist of multiple counties that have been determined to have similar farming operations and resource concerns. Applicants within each ranking area compete only with others in that ranking area. NRCS has asked for local input from each of these areas.
A Local Working Group meeting consisting of Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant, Owen, Carroll, and Gallatin counties is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 9:30 AM at the Walton Branch of the Boone County Public Library in Walton, Kentucky.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), a federal program that provides technical and financial assistance to land users to address natural resource concerns. NRCS is asking for local input for the fiscal year 2013 program.
For fiscal year 2013, EQIP will be administered in Kentucky using four ranking areas across the state. The ranking areas consist of multiple counties that have been determined to have similar farming operations and resource concerns. Applicants within each ranking area compete only with others in that ranking area. NRCS has asked for local input from each of these areas.
A Local Working Group meeting consisting of Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Grant, Owen, Carroll, and Gallatin counties is scheduled for Thursday, November 29, 9:30 AM at the Walton Branch of the Boone County Public Library in Walton, Kentucky.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Effect of Dry Weather Conditions on Fall Soil Test Samples
Weekly News Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY
It is still not too late to get in your fall soil samples for next year's growing season, and the recent rains make it an excellent time to collect samples.
An interesting result of the dry weather conditions of the past summer is that we may see lower soil pH and potassium levels in fall soil samples. Measuring the accurate levels of pH and potassium in soil after harvest will provide the proper amount of potassium fertilizer and lime needed in the spring to supplement the soil's nutrients to provide suitable growing conditions.
Lack of rainfall causes the soil to retain salt, which leads to the lower levels of soil pH results. There is approximately one-half of a pH unit difference between fall and spring soil samples. Rainfall is the only way for soil to leach trapped salts. Soil samples collected during dry conditions can produce lower than normal results. Inaccuracy of pH measurements can cause miscalculations of the proper amount of lime needed for the next planting season.
 |
| (Photo Courtesy of Tom Schultz & Iowa State University Extension) |
An interesting result of the dry weather conditions of the past summer is that we may see lower soil pH and potassium levels in fall soil samples. Measuring the accurate levels of pH and potassium in soil after harvest will provide the proper amount of potassium fertilizer and lime needed in the spring to supplement the soil's nutrients to provide suitable growing conditions.
Lack of rainfall causes the soil to retain salt, which leads to the lower levels of soil pH results. There is approximately one-half of a pH unit difference between fall and spring soil samples. Rainfall is the only way for soil to leach trapped salts. Soil samples collected during dry conditions can produce lower than normal results. Inaccuracy of pH measurements can cause miscalculations of the proper amount of lime needed for the next planting season.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Debunking Some Common Fruit & Vegetable Crop Myths
Weekly Newspaper Article for The News-Democrat, Carrollton, KY
There are many myths and old wives tales concerning fruit and vegetable crops that have become part of Kentucky lore. Several myths that still exist today involved grape coloration and fall frosts.
A number of grape growers believe it is necessary to pick the leaves off the vine to expose the grape clusters to the sun so the grapes will color. This myth probably originated from growers removing leaves to improve air-circulation and reduce fruit rot.
The truth is grapes--with the exception of the seedless Reliance variety--do not need sunlight to color. In fact, the fruit will color just fine when covered. Home grape growers can staple a bag over each cluster which keeps off birds, insects, and diseases and reduces their spray program.
Frost has a tendency to concern many producers, especially cattle producers. While specific grasses like johnsongrass can definitely be of concern to graze directly after a frost, some people believe edible greens for humans become poisonous after a frost as well.
There are many myths and old wives tales concerning fruit and vegetable crops that have become part of Kentucky lore. Several myths that still exist today involved grape coloration and fall frosts.
A number of grape growers believe it is necessary to pick the leaves off the vine to expose the grape clusters to the sun so the grapes will color. This myth probably originated from growers removing leaves to improve air-circulation and reduce fruit rot.
The truth is grapes--with the exception of the seedless Reliance variety--do not need sunlight to color. In fact, the fruit will color just fine when covered. Home grape growers can staple a bag over each cluster which keeps off birds, insects, and diseases and reduces their spray program.
Frost has a tendency to concern many producers, especially cattle producers. While specific grasses like johnsongrass can definitely be of concern to graze directly after a frost, some people believe edible greens for humans become poisonous after a frost as well.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)