Resource Conservationist 4/13/2017 3:12 PM Technical Overview Joe D. Buford Resource Conservationist Stillwater, Oklahoma joe.buford@ok.usda.gov 405-742-1282 © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

Natural Resources Conservation Service How To Get Started With NRCS How To Find Your Local NRCS Office Soil Health Success Stories Step-by-Step Video

USDA Organic Literacy Initiative What is Organic? Organic is a labeling term for food or other agricultural products that have been produced according to the USDA organic regulations. IS Organic An Option for Me?

4/13/2017 3:12 PM EQIP The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary program that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers through contracts up to a maximum term of ten years in length. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and for opportunities to improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland. © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

Helping People Help the Land 4/13/2017 3:12 PM Organic Initiative Provides financial assistance to help implement conservation practices for organic producers and those transitioning to organic to address natural resource concerns It also helps growers meet requirements related to National Organic Program (NOP) requirements and certain program payment limitations. FY 2015 signup deadline is March 20th Helping People Help the Land © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

Seasonal High Tunnel (SHT) Helps producers plan and implement seasonal high tunnels, which are steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. Contact your local NRCS field office for more details regarding eligibility and application requirements.

SHT Supporting Practices 328 – Conservation Crop Rotation: • Revising the crops and/or sequence of crops grown under the seasonal high tunnel systems to address: Pest control Nutrient management Market demand Erosion control Improve water use efficiency   340 – Cover Crop • Seeding and management of a cover crop after the tunnel is removed to address: Manage soil moisture

362 – Diversion • Install a diversion to divert surface water away from the seasonal high tunnel structure.   449 – Irrigation Water Management • Developing and implementing a plan to determine and control the volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water in a planned and efficient manner. 620 – Underground Outlet • Installed to convey surface water to a stable outlet. 590 – Nutrient Management • Manage the amount, source, timing, and method of application of nutrients using the seasonal high tunnel system to address: - Crop nutrient needs - Change in water management system (e.g., from rainfall use to drip irrigation) - Minimize nutrient runoff and/or leaching - Reduce nitrogen emissions

595 – Integrated Pest Management (IPM) • Reduce the risk of pesticide runoff and/or leaching, development of an IPM Plan   342 – Critical Area Planting • Establish permanent vegetation to stabilize erosion prone areas. 441 – Irrigation System, Microirrigation • Install and manage a Microirrigation system to efficiently and uniformly apply irrigation water and maintain soil moisture for plant growth and prevent contamination of ground and surface water by efficiently and uniformly applying chemicals. • The Microirrigation system may be eligible for financial assistance if the field had a history of irrigation within 2 of the last 5 years

Field Office Technical Guide What is the FOTG? Technical guides are the primary scientific references for NRCS. They contain technical information about the conservation of soil, water, air, and related plant and animal resources. Section IV link

http://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/

New From the 2014 Farm Bill Highly erodible land is any land that can erode at excessive rates because of its soil properties. Highly erodible land is designated by field and based on the proportion of the total field acreage that contains highly erodible soils. The 2014 Farm Bill re-established the applicability of the HELC and WC provisions to crop insurance subsidies. The Act made no change in HELC and WC implementation with respect to NRCS and FSA programs.

Farm Bill Cont. Producers obtaining federally reinsured crop insurance will not be eligible for any premium subsidy paid by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) for any policy or plan of insurance if the producer: Has not filed an accurately completed AD-1026 with FSA certifying compliance with HELC and WC provisions; or Is not in compliance with HELC and WC provisions. Unless specific exemptions apply, a producer must: Be in compliance with a NRCS-approved conservation plan for all highly erodible land; Not plant or produce an agricultural commodity on a wetland converted after Feb. 7, 2014; and Not have converted a wetland after Feb. 7, 2014, to make possible the production of an agricultural commodity.

Value-Added Producer Grant Purpose is to assist eligible Agriculture producers develop strategies to create marketing opportunities and to develop plans for viable marketing opportunities. Examples of planning activities include conducting feasibility studies and developing business plans for processing and marketing the proposed value-added product. WHAT…….Processing tomatoes for salsa

USDA: Rural Development Contact: Brian Wiles Business & Community Programs Director 100 USDA Suite 108, Stillwater, OK 74074 Voice: (405) 742-1061 Email: brian.wiles@ok.usda.gov

Non-Discrimination Statement 4/13/2017 3:12 PM Non-Discrimination Statement The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. Information about how to file a discrimination complaint is available from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a program discrimination complaint form, available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write to: USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 Or call toll free at (866) 632-9992 (voice) to obtain additional information, the appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and other product names are or may be registered trademarks and/or trademarks in the U.S. and/or other countries. The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.