MOUNTRAIL SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT

SERVING MOUNTRAIL COUNTY

ANNUAL PLAN OF OPERATIONS 2001

OBJECTIVE I.
Promote all types of tree plantings, maintenance of existing tree stands and renovation where needed.

OBJECTIVE II.
Promote the application of all types of conservation on rangeland, pasture and hayland, cropland, and wildlife land.

OBJECTIVE III.
Carry out an information and education program.

OBJECTIVE IV.
Solicit the cooperation of individuals and of local, State and Federal agencies, and organizations to meet the objectives of the District.

OBJECTIVE V.
Promote water quality.

OBJECTIVE I. Promote all types of tree plantings, maintenance of new and existing
trees stands and renovation where needed.


PLANNED

Lead Supervisor; Marland Aubol

GOAL AND ACTION:

A. Increase tree plantings.

  1. Pblish news articles and photographs that promote tree plantings

January-December
  • Publish a District newsletter with articles on trees.
    		•

    January-December
  • Promote the planting of odd areas to trees when conservation planning.
    		•

    January-December
  • Hand out folders with information on conservation tillage and trees to producers wanting to plant trees and first time no till farmers.
    		•

    January-December
  • Promote conservation at Farm & Ranch Days in Mountrail County
    		•

    February
  • Encourage use of cost sharing programs, where available.

    • January-December

    B. Promote maintenance of new and existing tree stands:

    1. Publish news articles and photographs showing benefits of weed control and pruning

    January-December
  • Refer cooperators to County Extension service when necessary.
    		•

    January-December
  • Provide tree shelters, tree mats, and weed barrier fabric.
    		•

    May-November
  • Promote Casoron and Trelfan application for weed control.
    		•

    April-November
  • Provide Casoran and Trelfan application service.
    		•

    April-November
  • Provide one free mechanical tree weeding on first time plantings.
    		•

    June-July
  • Provide mechanical tree weeding service, for a fee, when possible.

    • June-September

    C. Encourage renovation as an alternative to destroying existing windbreaks:

    1. Provide service to order larger tree stock for replacements.

    November-March
  • Refer cooperators to NRCS for technical assistance.
    		•

    January-December
  • Promote thinning by people wanting firewood or wood chip mulch.
    		•

    January-December
  • Provide service for digging holes for those purchasing large quantities of hand plants.

    • May-June

    D. Increase tree row cultivation program:

    1. Contract to provide tree row cultivation on an annual basis when sufficient help is available.

    June-September

    OBJECTIVE II: Promote the application of all types of conservation on rangeland,
    pasture and hayland, cropland, and wildlife lands.

    Lead Supervisor: Dennis Bergstrom

    GOALS AND ACTIONS:

    A. Increase the amount of high residue cropping and fallow systems.

    PLANNED
    1. Sponsor soil fertility workshop.

    March-April
  • Sponsor Mountrail County Ag. Improvement Association crop tour.
    		•

    July
  • Provide grass seeding service with no till grass drill.
    		•

    April-November
  • Promote residue management, wind stripcropping, conservation tillage, and
    no till.

    • January-December

    B. Sponsor a forage workshop

    1. Have equipment demonstrations.

    June-October
  • Emphasize timing of harvest and proper storage.
    		•

    January-December
  • Discuss proper range management, grazing systems, grass seeding, and
    structural practices.

    • January-December

    C. Hold a classroom workshop for livestock producers.

    1. Provide speakers with economic information.

    November-March

    D. Provide assistance for good management of land in CRP

    1. Refer producers to County Extension service for weed control options.

    June-August
  • Assist operators/owners preparing for land coming out of CRP.
    		•

    January-December
  • Assist operators/owners with new CRP sign ups.

    • Ongoing

    E. Encourage use of programs that are available.

    1. Promote Long Term Contracting (EQIP).

    January-December
  • Refer interested operators to USFWS and ND Game & Fish for additional
    cost sharing assistance.

    • January-December

    OBJECTIVE III: Carry out an information and education program

    Lead Supervisor: Roger Evans

    GOALS AND ACTIONS:

    PLANNED

    A. District Information Program.

    1. Develop tree planting services brochure and ordering form.

    Ongoing
  • Have Booth at Farm & Ranch days.
    		•

    January-February
  • Sponsor Beef Days.
    		•

    October
  • Publish and distribute a District newsletter a minimum of three times per year.
    		•

    January-December
  • Assemble, for handing out, information on trees, conservation tillage, and
    other conservation issues.

    • January-December

    B. Support local 4-H activities and other conservation organizations.

    1. Be a sponsor of 4H Achievement Days.

    July
  • Sponsor participant(s) to Conservation camp.
    		•

    June
  • Sponsor participant(s) to Range camp.
    		•

    June-July
  • Sponsor ECO Education camp for 6th graders in Mountrail County.

    • August-September

    C. Encourage conservation education in the public school system and youth groups.

    1. Sponsor Environmental workshop participation.

    June-August
  • Make Project Trees program available to public schools within District
    		•

    March-April
  • Sponsor local land judging for 4H and FFA.
    		•

    June
  • Provide participation items to students for City clean up days within District

    • May-August

    OBJECTIVE IV. Solicit the cooperation of individuals and of local, State, and Federal agencies and organizations to meet the objectives of the District.

    Lead Supervisor: Roger Christenson

    GOAL AND ACTIONS

    A. Establish a locally led conservation process.

    Planned
    1. Have a work group meeting with local stakeholders.

    January-December
  • Complete local needs assessment.

    • January-December

    B. Improve communication and information sharing between USDA agencies.

    1. Invite participation during tours, workshops, and demonstrations.

    Ongoing
  • Have representative attend FAC meetings when scheduled.
    		•

    Ongoin
  • Encourage Supervisors to attend NDASCD annual convention.
    		•

    November
  • Encourage Supervisors and District staff to attend training workshops.

    • January-December

    C. Utilize local farm organizations.

    1. Invite participation in tours and demonstrations when appropriate.

    May-October
  • Encourage resource information sharing.
    		•

    January-December
  • Host discussions with local farm organization leaders on effects of potential conservation legislation.

    • January-December

    D. Cooperate with other Soil Conservation Districts.

    1. Co-sponsor information meetings, workshops, and tours when appropriate.

    January-December
  • Schedule joint meetings.

    • January-December

    OBJECTIVE V. Promote water quality.

    Lead Supervisor: Scott Fladeland

    GOAL AND ACTIONS

    A. Encourage producers to take action to preserve water quality.

    Planned
    1. Encourage NRCS staff to provide technical assistance.

    Ongoing
  • Provide literature on sealing abandoned wells.
    		•

    Ongoing
  • Provide District assistance to outside organizations when asked.

    • Ongoing

    B. Educate producers of water quality issues.

    1. Provide informational materials.

    January-December
  • Encourage staff to use news articles to inform producers of materials and videos that are available.
    		•

    January-December
  • Refer producers to County Extension service for assistance.
    		•

    January-December
  • Encourage producers to participate in Wetlands Habitat Incentive program, Wetlands Reserve program, Buffer Initiatives program, and any other program benefiting water quality.
    		•

    January-December
  • Provide timely information on current issues affecting water quality.

    • January-December

    C. Reduce Livestock feedlot runoff.

    1. Include management plan while planning with livestock producers.

    January-December
  • Promote the use of EQIP to assist producers with expenses.

    • January-December

     

    Return to Home Page