Extension office to close Dec. 21 to Jan. 3 for holidays

The University of Kentucky has made a decision to shut down non-essential units Dec. 21-23 as a cost-saving measure.

Employees will receive bonus holidays for this time, but since they are cost saving measures the off-campus offices must also be closed for employees to receive the bonus holidays. Since all of our support units will also be closed on those days the Carroll County Extension Office will also be closed Dec. 21-23. With the normal University shut down from Christmas through New Years’ Day, the Carroll County Extension Office will be closed starting Tuesday, Dec. 21 and will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3. If you have an emergency and need information or service fell free to contact me at my home and I will see what we can do to help you. I’m in the phone book.

Education opportunities

lThe Fruit and Vegetable Growers Conference and Annual Meeting will be Jan. 3-4 in Lexington at the Embassy Suites Hotel off Newtown Pike. The registration fee is $30 for the entire conference but you will have meal expenses above that. The room rate is $111 and this includes a really good, hot breakfast buffet.

I have registration information at the office and www.uky.edu/Ag/Horticulture/meetings.html. This link will take you to the details of the meeting. Early registration is due Dec 20.

lThe Carroll County Cattlemen’s Association will meet Thursday, Jan. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Carroll County Extension Office. More details to follow.

lThe Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Convention will be Jan. 13, 14 and 15 in Lexington at the Civic Center. Registration information is available in the Cow Country News and at the www.kybeef.org web site.

lThe Burley Tobacco Growers Council and the Kentucky Horse Council will be having their annual meetings on Jan. 14 in Lexington. What is cool is the fact the Cattlemen, Burley Council and the Horse Council will be having a joint trade show on Jan. 14 at the Civic Center.

lWe will have a workshop on Jan. 24 at the Extension Office call “Growing the Perfect Tomato.” The principles that will be presented will apply to many of the horticulture crops that are raised either commercially or by the homeowner.

lWhat about my Pasture/Hay Fields? After the drought what will spring bring in regards to your pastures and hay fields? Dr. Ray Smith will be here on Jan. 27 to talk about what we need to look for and options for the spring season. I just want everyone to mark these dates on your calendars.

2011 Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program

Each fiscal year, the Natural Resources Conservation Service sets ranking period dates for applications taken for USDA Farm Bill programs.  Although ranking dates may vary from program to program, landowners may sign-up at any time for all conservation programs.

The next ranking cut-off date is Jan. 28 and will include applications for both the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

The WHIP program can provide financial and technical assistance to develop upland, wetland, riparian and aquatic habitat areas on your property.  There is a 10 acre minimum per application for this program.

The EQIP program can provide financial and technical assistance to plan and design measures on your property such as but not limited to: grazing management (fencing and livestock watering systems); nutrient management (manure storage structures, planned nutrient applications); and erosion control (grade control structures, diversions, grassed waterways).  The EQIP program can also assist farms that are currently certified organic or transitioning to organic.

If you are interested in participating in either or both of these programs, you should sign-up as soon as possible and request conservation plan if you do not have an existing current plan. 

Anyone seeking cost share assistance must develop a conservation plan with your local USDA/NRCS office (1802 Highland Avenue, Carrollton).  For more information, please contact Paul Veech, NRCS District Conservationist at (502) 732-6098 or (502) 732-0070.

Tim Hendrick is the Carroll County Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources. Call him at (502) 732-7030 or send e-mail to thendrick@uky.edu.