Landowners in Northeast Florida will have an opportunity to connect directly with agricultural, conservation and natural resource professionals during the upcoming Clay Landowners Workshop on Friday, September 11, in Green Cove Springs.
The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Godbold Extension Building off State Road 16. The event is designed for landowners in Clay County and throughout the surrounding Northeast Florida region, whether they are relatively new to managing property or have been doing so for years.
Joel Benn, Conservation Acquisition Manager with the North Florida Land Trust, says one of the biggest benefits of the workshop is bringing representatives from a number of organizations together in one place.
Landowners will have an opportunity to meet with representatives from federal, state and local agencies, along with organizations including the North Florida Land Trust and North Florida Prescribed Burn Association.
Among those participating will be representatives from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Benn says landowners will be able to ask questions about cost-share programs, Best Management Practices and land conservation opportunities.
Some of those programs could potentially help offset costs for land-management practices producers are already undertaking.
The workshop will also provide information on conservation easements and other programs designed to help landowners balance conservation goals with the agricultural and business needs of their property.
Benn says some landowners may be surprised by just how many resources are available.
Topics include ways to improve herbicide and pesticide applications through more targeted methods, along with educational resources available through USDA and the Florida Department of Agriculture. Prescribed burning will also be discussed, a practice Benn says is important both to Florida’s natural ecosystems and agricultural production.
Ultimately, Benn says the goal is to make those resources more accessible while strengthening the support system available to Northeast Florida agriculture.
“The opportunity to put on events like these that help bring the ag community together and help to provide a stronger backing and support system for the ag community in Northeast Florida is an obligation and a privilege that we take very seriously,” Benn said.