MONROE - The Green County Department of Land Conservation, University of Wisconsin-Extension, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Blackhawk Technical College and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, received a grant to pay Green County farmers to learn about nutrient management planning. Farmers will receive all the training necessary to prepare for and write their own plan.
Currently, farmers can receive $28 per acre for having a nutrient management plan (NMP) written. This new grant would allow farmers to receive a stipend for their time away from the farm, taking soil samples and writing the NMP. They will get a stipend of $425 for taking the time to learn and write their plan (on top of the $28/ acre payment). It's estimated that a farmer will have to invest at least 20 hours in this program to be successful.
The first step to be involved is to call Tonya Gratz at the Land Conservation Office at 325-4195 ext. 121 and schedule a farm visit.
Representatives will walk over the farm, administer a grant-required questionnaire, instruct on soil sampling, and calibrate manure spreaders. Soil samples can be reimbursed at $1 per acre up to 200 acres.
A series of workshops will explain all one needs to know about Nutrient Management. The first workshop explains the foundation for nutrient management planning. It is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 in Yodel Hall at the Pleasant View Complex. After attending this workshop, farmers will be ready to write their own plans. SNAP PLUS is a free, downloadable computer software program and is the tool that is used to write the nutrient management plans.
Currently, farmers can receive $28 per acre for having a nutrient management plan (NMP) written. This new grant would allow farmers to receive a stipend for their time away from the farm, taking soil samples and writing the NMP. They will get a stipend of $425 for taking the time to learn and write their plan (on top of the $28/ acre payment). It's estimated that a farmer will have to invest at least 20 hours in this program to be successful.
The first step to be involved is to call Tonya Gratz at the Land Conservation Office at 325-4195 ext. 121 and schedule a farm visit.
Representatives will walk over the farm, administer a grant-required questionnaire, instruct on soil sampling, and calibrate manure spreaders. Soil samples can be reimbursed at $1 per acre up to 200 acres.
A series of workshops will explain all one needs to know about Nutrient Management. The first workshop explains the foundation for nutrient management planning. It is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 in Yodel Hall at the Pleasant View Complex. After attending this workshop, farmers will be ready to write their own plans. SNAP PLUS is a free, downloadable computer software program and is the tool that is used to write the nutrient management plans.
