MINNEAPOLIS — Are you a grazier interested in accessing resources to enhance conservation activities on your agricultural operation? Join an informational webinar on March 10, 2021, with a particular focus on funding opportunities through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
The free webinar will be hosted by Conservation Connections, a program led by Renewing the Countryside to build connections between farmers and NRCS resource support. In partnership with Glacierland RC&D and the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, attendees will receive an overview of CSP and how that can fit into one’s grazing and land conservation plan.
“The next application deadline for the CSP program in Wisconsin is March 26, 2021 and this webinar aims to give you a program overview and answer questions so you can see if it’s a fit for you and apply in time,” explains Kirsten Jurcek, a Resource Conservationist with Glacierland RC&D and also a Conservation Connector for this Renewing the Countryside project. Jurcek runs Brattset Family Farm with her family in Jefferson, Wisconsin, a grass-based grazing beef farm. “As a farmer myself who has enhanced the stewardship of my land through the NRCS CSP program, I’m excited to share my experiences and help other farmers tap into these opportunities.”
In addition to Jurcek, speakers include Meridith Williams, Wisconsin NRCS CSP Coordinator; Adam Abel, Wisconsin NRCS Acting Grazing Specialist and Altfrid Krusenbaum, Grazing Specialist with the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. Conservation enhancements applicable to grazing farms will be discussed along with other Wisconsin farmers sharing their NRCS program experience.
As beginning graziers, we have found these targeted educational opportunities very helpful to learn from other farmers who have tapped into resources like the NRCS Conservation Stewardship program to help with on-farm conservation,” shares Thelma Heidel-Baker of Bossie Cow Farm, a grass-based organic dairy Heidel-Baker and her husband, Ricky Baker, operate near Random Lake, Wisconsin that practices rotational grazing. “I have found the best way to learn about farming is from other farmers, and the grazing community here in Wisconsin is so generous and willing to share their experiences and where to find support.”
“Conservation Connections provides support to historically underserved farmer groups including beginning farmers, African Americans, Asian, Latino, Indigenous and veterans,” shares Jan Joannides, executive director of Renewing the Countryside and lead on this project. “Webinars like these aim to expand awareness of programs and resources available through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that foster more successful farm businesses and at the same time steward the land.”
Farmers new to grazing and curious are welcome to attend. The speakers can readily answer a variety of grazing questions and connections to beginning resources. While the examples covered will be from Wisconsin as the host state, the information is applicable nationally.
Register here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. All registrants will receive a link to the recorded webinar.
For more information and to register for the upcoming events see:
https://www.
— Renewing the Countryside
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