Spring 2010

Volume 10 Issue 1

L o c a l

C o m m o n

S e n s e

C o n s e r v a t i o n

DISTRICT QUARTERLY REPORT

Inside this issue:
District Report Range Leader Awards MMWG Quarterly Report High Tunnel Pilot Study NACD News Tree Article Grasshopper Management Program Springs Here Missouri River News Sage Grouse Listing 2010 CSP From My Kitchen To Yours - AMANDA HOM, DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

Greetings from the conservation district! This year started off a busy one for myself. I have been keeping busy here in the office working on past grants as well as new projects. I have attended several trainings this spring such as the Wetland Watershed GIS seminar, BSPPA training and much more! All of these trainings have been knowledgeable for myself as well for the conservation district supervisors. The district hopes to use all this information for future grants that become available. I have also been keeping busy with tree orders this year. For those of you that ordered trees, they should be arriving the 3rd week in April. I will be contacting you soon! Myself along with fire warden, Ray Hagamen attended the 2010 Montana Communities & Wildfire Conference. This was held at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort February 25-27th. A few highlighted topics that were addressed are listed below:

Homeowner Insurance What you should know New Wildfire Research Managing Wildfire Behavior with Prescribed Fire Montanas Biomass Future Forests and the Role of Disturbances Federal Wildfire Policies

The district continues to support the Dry-Redwater Rural Water Authority project, which is progressing. Remember to sign up now and send your $100 good intention fee in if you are planning to hook up. If you decide in the end not to hook up this fee is refundable.
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Garfield County Conservation District News

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Jordan ranchers, Belgrade consultant honored with Range Leader awards

The Governors Rangeland Resources Executive Committee (RREC) announced today that ranchers Bob and Debbie Gibbs of Jordan and private consultant Gene Surber of Belgrade have been chosen as recipients of the 2009 Range Leader of the Year awards. The Gibbs and Gene Surber are genuine leaders in the field of range management, said Heidi Olbert, Rangeland Resources Program Specialist with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Their commitment to education and the principles of stewardship represents the best of Montana agriculture. Olbert said the Gibbs familys two large pastures of native grassland were continuously grazed. After noticing a decline in range conditions, the couple decided it was time to consider new ways of managing their land. They installed cross fences and implemented a rest-rotation grazing plan, Olbert said. As a result, they were able to give one pasture a full season of rest from grazing each year. The couple also made use of chiseling, a low-impact form of plowing, on their rested pastures. Olbert said that technique helped break up heavy concentrations of club moss and improved soil conditions. Their treated pastures now have more native species, including forbs, and are move productive. Within a year they started to notice more songbirds than in previous years. In addition to the rangeland improvement, the Gibbs also added water developments in upland sites. That has improved grazing distribution across their pastures, and also improved the health of riparian areas on the ranch. Its a great outcome for both the Gibbs and the natural resources, said Olbert. They are seeing heavier weaning weights for the calves, and the grasslands and riparian areas are doing great. The Gibbs wanted to improve their native rangeland, they were open to trying some new and different ideas, and it paid off. Gene Surber worked as the natural resource specialist in the Animal and Range Sciences Department of Montana State University from 1994 to 2006; prior to that, he served for 22 years as a county agricultural extension in Gallatin and Park counties. Genes leadership in agriculture is unsurpassed. He has educated so many Montanans in the areas of crop production, weed control, commodity marketing and water quality, said Olbert. Gene coordinated the Ag Lenders School and the Western Integrated Ranch Education (WIRE) program, and has served as lead on the beef portion for the Environmental Management Systems, a national project that enGarfield County Conservation District News http://garfieldcountycd.org

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Range Leader of the year award article continued from page 2 served as lead on the beef portion for the Environmental Management Systems, a national project that encouraged landowners to voluntarily address important environmental issues such as water quality. Were lucky to have Gene in Montana. Bob and Debbie Gibbs and Gene Surber received their leadership awards in Havre during the 2010 Winter Grazing Seminar sponsored by the Montana DNRC. For more information on the Rangeland Resources Program, the Range Leader Award, or other grazing and range management efforts sponsored by DNRC, contact Heidi Olbert at 406 444 6619, or visit the DNRC website at http://dnrc.mt.gov/cardd/condist/rangelandmanagement.asp. ####END####

Mosby Musselshell Watershed Group October December 2009 Quarterly Report

The MMWG continued with the water storage project and made good progress this past quarter. On October 14th, I met with Lynn Rettig, Delphia Melstone Canal Manager, and Scott Aspenleider, WWC engineer, in Musselshell. We drove the canal from the diversion dam at Musselshell to Horse Creek coulee, approximately 17 miles. The purpose was to review the canal with Lynn to determine the problem areas of the canal and discuss the fixes to be included with project cost estimates. On October 29th, I drove to Kalispell to attend a Water Rights Laws conference that was put on by DNRC. The conference was well done and very informative for completing the water rights application. On November 5th, Diane Ahlgren and I drove to Forsyth to meet with the Rosebud County Conservation District. They had requested that we come and meet with their Board to explain the water storage project and show them where it would be located. It was determined that the dam would be in Rosebud County and most of the reservoir in Musselshell County. However, the entire project would be located in the Lower Musselshell CD. The water rights applications were worked on during November and December after the WWC Engineering completed the Preliminary Engineering Report on November 5th. The applications were submitted to the DNRC office in Lewistown on December 29th. Calvin O. Frank, PE Watershed Coordinator
Garfield County Conservation District News http://garfieldcountycd.org

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Montana Participates in High Tunnel Pilot Study Montana is participating in a 3-year, 38 state study designed to verify if high tunnels, also known as hoop houses, are effective in reducing pesticide use, keeping vital nutrients in the soil, extending the growing season, increasing yields, and providing other benefits to growers. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan today announced the project under the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food initiative for farmers to establish high tunnels to increase the availability of locally grown produce in a conservation-friendly way. There is a great potential for high tunnels to expand the availability of healthy, locally-grown crops a win for producers and consumers, said Merrigan. This pilot project is going to give us realworld information that farmers all over the country can use to decide if they want to add high tunnels to their operations. We know that these fixtures can help producers extend their growing season and hopefully add to their bottom line. Made of ribs of plastic or metal pipe covered with a layer of plastic sheeting, high tunnels are easy to build, maintain and move. In Montana a high tunnel is presently in use at the State Prison farm facility at Glendive and by at least one Glendive area farmer. The County Extension Office at Glendive is planning to build three high tunnels in the spring. High tunnels are used year-round in warmer parts of the country, providing steady incomes for farmers a significant advantage to owners of small farms, limited resource farmers and organic producers. USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will provide financial assistance for the project through the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), the EQIP Organic Initiative, and the Agricultural Management Assistance Program. NRCS will fund one high tunnel per farm. High tunnels in the study can cover as much as 5% of 1 acre. To sign up and learn more about the project contact your local NRCS office. endHelping People Help the Land NRCS is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer CONTACT: Ron Nadwornick- (406) 587-6998 NACD NewsWashington, D.C. Today the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) announced that Jeff Eisenberg will take the helm as the Associations new Chief Executive Officer beginning February 1, 2010. We are eager for Jeff to join the team as CEO of the National Association of Conservation Districts, said NACD president Steve Robinson, a producer from Marysville, Ohio. Jeff has a true passion for conservation districts and their work. He has experienced working for both conservation and landowner groups, and we are confident that his experience and energy make him the right person to lead NACD. Eisenberg brings strong Washington experience to the organization; his entire career has been dedicated to agriculture conservation issues. He most recently served as the Executive Director of the Public Lands Council, where he represented ranchers before Congress and the Executive Branch on a variety of Continued to page 5 natural resource issues such as climate change, the Farm Bill and endangered species.
Garfield County Conservation District News http://garfieldcountycd.org

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Local Common Sense Conservation

NACD News continued. Prior to his tenure at the Public Lands Council, Eisenberg represented both the Klamath Water Users Association and The Nature Conservancy on natural resource issues. Eisenberg also provided legal services to the Forest Service, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Farm Service Agency and the Office of Energy in the U.S. Department of Agricultures Office of the General Council for nearly a decade. Jeffs deep understanding of the issues will continue to strengthen NACDs position in Washington, D.C. and provide new opportunities our member districts, added Robinson. Under Jeffs leadership, NACD will continue to be Americas voice for natural resource conservation. I am extremely pleased to have been chosen to lead NACD, Eisenberg said. While the challenges facing conservation in America are great, the opportunities are even greater. NACD is well-positioned to lead the charge. I am committed to maintaining and building on the great work being done by conservation districts throughout the country. Eisenberg was raised in Minnesota. He holds a bachelors degree in Scandinavian Studies and Political science from the University of Minnesota and a juris doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School ###
The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nations 3,000 conservation districts and 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For almost 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. NACDs website is at www.nacdnet.org.

Common Hackberry (celtis occidentalis)

BY: Kayla Higgins
This is the largest tree in North Dakota. Its approximately 70 feet tall with a canopy spread of 62 feet. This type of tree buds are alternately arranged with no terminal bud. The buds are flattened and presses against the twig . Their bud color is a chestnut- brown and downy and the size is 1/4 inch long and have a pointed shape. This type of tree leaves are simple, acuminate-tipped and ovate oblong. Their surface is smooth to sometimes scabrous above and is 2 to 5 inches in length and 1 to 2 inches long. This plant does produce flowers and fruit. The growth habit is narrow when young, broadening at the top and arching when mature. The root system is spreading, shallow to deep, depending on soils and occasionally will have a strong taproot. The soil texture performs well on a variety of soil. Moderately drought tolerant but does best on moist, well drained sites. This may compensate for droughty conditions by dropping a portion of leaves when under stress. The tree grows best if it is in full sun to partial shade. The fruit is eaten by many birds and mammals. This tree is excellent for wildlife.

Grasshopper Management Program to be offered A grasshopper management program will be offered on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 2:00pm at the Old Grade School Meeting Room in Jordan, Montana. Presentations are to include the following: Grasshopper Biology and Herbicide Control Options by Kevin Wanner with the Montana State University Extension Entomologist and USDA APHIS PPQ Plant and Health Safe guarding specialist Shayne Galford. For more information please contact Eric Miller with the MSUExtension office at 406-557-2770.

Garfield County Conservation District News

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Missouri River Noxious Weed Mapping

The Center for Aquatic Nuisance Species (CANS) is coordinating an exciting and important new conservation/education program. CANS started a pilot program last summer where with the help of volunteers from fishing clubs, federal agencies, state agencies, county agencies, fishing guides/outfitters, and a host of others began mapping the Yellowstone River for noxious weeds. This GPS mapping was done from the river using boats and rafts. CANS along with volunteer help and the agencies listed above mapped the entire Yellowstone from Yankee Jim Canyon all the way to Laurel. This GPS data will be used to locate target weeds as designated by county noxious weed agencies that harm native riparian vegetation and fisheries. CANS goal is not to only map the weeds, but also educate the public how to identify noxious weeds, problems these weeds cause, and how not to spread weeds through their leisure activities. Fore the summer of 2010 CANS with the help of volunteers statewide will be mapping rivers like the Stillwater, Madison, Big Hole, Blackfoot, Missouri, and hopefully with the help of the Fly Fishers and the Bitterroot River. For more information on the river mapping program feel free to contact CANS Eduwww.cleanangling.org cation Director Matt Wilhelm at 406-222-7270. www.stopans.org
SPRINGSHERE
U I L I T U A P R I L F O O L S S F M T A N D O U Y O S A R C S A S L B E S C L Q Z M S R M L J I Y V H X A C S R L E N L S S O Q Q V T C T M G T J N J E B D I B N L I O O P A R G U G J I S F U L S S S T J I O N P M S O S W R G O M E D E D T C W R V B K T R V P U E O P S Y G D G C F G F G C O E O F Q L D Z A Y E T F C O O K S G N I D D E W P Q S Y S A E B L R K H E P M S G I E F H A Z D I N X E F Y Z A A T B D K T P S R K A U F L B X N N H L S F Q R N S D O T O P S C A S Y D W B P U M P C Z X L C H T L R I Q U G H E T A E H W L J E N E I F N C X B Y L A W N I D W E V N Q G V K Y H O I C R F I L Y J I I A L G X R O W L N N L C H Q G N D R D R I Z B D N G B N H B W O T A J Q G S L Z Q Y R E E W O E I L A M B S E L R D V C R Q S E P X B J N V W T P F K V Q O P T A H Z V S Q P Z P I P F W C J M M W A P U Q Y I N V R H D T V J R V L F L H W W N Y M D O I L A L W F U T T N I J Y A D Y A M U X F L O W E R S G U J R Z C C E M X N A V R N L G C X K M U D E D H T B B J N L H U G Y I B B S H K U MAYDAY MUD PEONY PETUNIAS RAIN ROSES SNOW SOILS TAXES TREES TULIPS WEDDINGS WHEAT

APRILFOOLS ARBORDAY BLEADINGHEART BLOSSOMS CALVES CRABAPPLE DAFIDILLS DOGWOOD EASTER FLOWERS GRASS JUNIPER LAMBS

Garfield County Conservation District

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Sage Grouse Listing: Warranted but precluded

The Interior Department announces it will not list Sage Grouse as endangered or threatened but will classify the bird among species that are candidates for federal protection. The finding validates the effort by Western States to map the birds sagebrush habitat and to take additional steps to prevent a sage grouse listing. Montana is one of the first states to develop a long-term sage grouse management strategic plan. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a news release The sage grouses decline reflects the extent to which open land in the West has been developed in the last century. This development has provided important benefits, but we must find common sense ways of protecting, restoring and reconnecting the Western lands that are most important to the species survival. Voluntary conservation combined with federal funding and technical assistance can help those efforts.

2010 Conservation Stewardship Program

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (2008 Farm Bill) replaces the Conservation Security Program with the new

Conservation Stewardship Program for fiscal years 2009 through 2017.

The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns in a comprehensive manner by undertaking additional conservation activities and improving, maintaining, and managing existing conservation activities. CSP is available on Tribal and private agricultural lands in all 50 States and the Caribbean and Pacific Islands Areas. The program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops produced, or geographic location. Montana CSP Geographic Areas Geographic Areas in Montana were designated with input from the State Technical Advisory Committee. These areas have been designated because they have similar resource concerns and will allow applicants to be considered and evaluated with applicants that have similar land uses and resource concerns. The Eastern Montana Plains CSP Area (Miles City Area) includes the counties of Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley and Wibaux. See the national NRCS Conservation Stewardship Program Web page (www.mt.nrcs.usda.gov/ programs/) for the following: Applications Available
Applications are currently available at the NRCS Office Fiscal Year 2010 signup deadline is pending & will be announced shortly With you application on file, you will be notified of important dates & deadlines You dont have to wait until youre busy calving, lambing or seeding to apply

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Interim Final Rule (July 29, 2009) New CSP Fact Sheet Conservation Stewardship Self-Screening Checklist Conservation Stewardship Program Activity List

Enhancement Activity Job Sheets Garfield County received three Fiscal Year 2009 CSP application with one being contracted and funded.
Helping People Help the Land NRCS is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Garfield County Conservation District http://garfieldcountycd.org

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Local Common Sense Conservation

Criss-Cross Cookies
Ingredients 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 egg 1-1/2 cup flour 3/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions
In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter and sugars. Add the vanilla and egg, beating until light and fluffy. Stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and add to butter mixture, blending thoroughly. Shape into 1 inch balls and place about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet. Flatten with fork lines in a criiss cross pattern. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Makes 4 dozen cookies.

ITEMS FOR SALE Weeds of the West Grassland Plants of South Dakota Range Plants of Montana Landownership Map Book -one township per page Landownership Map Book -four township per page Garfield County Wall Map Garfield County Road Map Rental No Till Drill Fabric Layer (min of $10.00) Soil Sampling Probe ATV Sprayer ATV Broadcast Spreader ATV Herbicide Applicator Plant Supplies Tree Sentry Mesh Tube, 3ft Bamboo Stake, 4ft Fabric Staple - 6 x 1 Fabric Staple - 10 x 2 Landscape Fabric 6 x 500 roll 6 x 300 roll

$28.00 $25.00 $17.00 $50.00

ATV SPREADER
$25.00 $25.00 $10.00 $2.00/acre $0.10/ft 5 day loan $25.00/day $15.00/day $15.00/day $2.75 $0.50 $0.20 $0.10 each $0.15 each $130.00 $100.00

ATV SPRAYER

NO TILL DRILL
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Garfield County Conservation District News

Garfield County Conservation District 307 Main (PO Box 369) Jordan, MT 59337

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Billings, MT PERMIT NO. 11

Box Holder Jordan, MT 59337

All Garfield County Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, gender, political beliefs, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status or handicap.

Board of Supervisors Monte Billing..Chairman Dean Rogge,.Vice Chairman Travis Browning.Supervisor Mike McKeever...Supervisor Alan Pluhar..Supervisor Nathan Saylor.....Urban Supervisor Nicole Downs..Urban Supervisor

Field Office Staff: Garfield County Conservation District Amanda Hom, District Administrator Kayla Higgins, Administrative Assistant Natural Resource Conservation Service Sue FitzGerald,

The public is welcome to attend the meetings of the Conservation District Board of Supervisors. Please call for meeting date and time.

District Conservationist John Monahan, Soil Conservationist B.G. FitzGerald,

Views expressed by individual columnists in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Garfield County Conservation District. 310 Permits

Soil Conservation Technician

A 310 permit is required if you are planning any project including the construction of new facilities or the modification, operation, and maintenance of an existing facility that may affect the natural existing shape and form of any stream, its banks, or its tributaries. Any private entity or non-governmental individual that proposes to work in or near a stream on public or private land must obtain a 310 Permit prior to any activity in or near a perennially flowing stream. Contact the Garfield County Conservation District for Permit Applications.

Garfield County Conservation District News

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