Programs

Gary Bucklin, Forester, covers Missaukee, Isabella and Clare counties addressing land issues with private, non-industrial landowners or land managers. Forest Management Plans, Forest Incentive Program, Tree Disease Identification, Private Consultant Referrals, Tree Planter Referrals, and Seedling Information just to name a few are all offered as a free service to private non-industrial landowners/managers through this program. For assistance, phone Gary at the number below or e-mail, gary.bucklin@macd.org.

The Missaukee Conservation District has played a role in the control of the Gypsy moth in Missaukee County. The Gypsy moth made its first noticeable impact on our county in 1988 when approximately 200 acres were defoliated. By 1990, between 20,000 and 25,000 acres were defoliated. We will continue to monitor the Gypsy moth and spray any areas where a problem with the moth develops (spraying is done on a voluntary, requested, paid basis). Parasites seem to be doing their job this spring, most of the egg masses inspected were destroyed. While egg masses are still visible, look for holes in the egg mass. If you can see holes, this means parasitic eggs have been laid and the gypsy moth will not hatch. Call 231-839-7193 or email, sherry.blaszak@macd.org, for more information.

Natural Resource Conservation Service-Michigan Department of Agriculture Agreement Provides more Conservation Assistance to the Farming Community.

On October 2, 2006 a contribution agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) will help deliver conservation technical assistance to NRCS that will assist Michigan Producers in implementing practices that are part of Farm Bill contracts to get conservation practices on the ground faster. This cooperative agreement strengthens the partnership with NRCS and Conservation Districts, but farmers and the environment are the real beneficiaries of this initiative. This is an exciting opportunity for the Michigan Department of Agriculture to further its mission to reduce on-farm risks through the implementation of USDA farm bill contracts.

The Conservation Technical Assistance Initiative (CTAI) Specialists will work to help Michigan farmers protect water quality by accessing $54 million of federal farm bill dollars to implement and construct conservation practices on their farm operations and in farm fields. They are supervised by individual Conservation Districts and receive their work assignments from NRCS.

One of Ten CTAI Specialists selected is Randy Mellberg who is working for the Missaukee, Osceola and Wexford Conservation Districts. Randy is the former Groundwater Technician for the North Central Michigan Region of the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program.

The following is a list of practices that Randy helped in implementing, that were a part of Farm Bill contracts:

Agricultural Chemical Storage Facilities
Animal Waste Storage Facilities
Fence
Grassed Water Way
Heavy Use Area Protection
Nutrient Management
Pest Management
Pipeline
Roof Runoff Management
Stream Crossing
Underground Outlet
Waste Utilization
Watering Facilities
Water & Soil Sediment Control Basin
Well

For a map of the CTAI Technician locations and contact information, you can go to the following MDA Web site link: http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1567_1599-155009--,00.html or http://www.missaukeecd.org or you may call the Missaukee Conservation District Office at 231-839-7193.

For further inquiries phone the number below or e-mail, randy.mellberg@macd.org.

Andy Vokes, Americorps Member, covers Missaukee, Crawford-Roscommon and Wexford Counties addressing the residential portion of the MGSP. Home*A*Syst, the main educational tool used by Andy, is a voluntary, confidential self-assessment program individuals can use to evaluate their home and property for groundwater contamination and health risks free of charge. Eight Home*A*Syst chapters cover essential topics every homeowner or resident should be aware of. Each chapter contains key points, along with tables/worksheets to help identify and reduce home risks to groundwater.

In addition to the Home*A*Syst Program, Andy also performs group presentations, free of charge, for schools, townships, lake association civic groups, Church groups, etc., on topics such as groundwater education, well and septic management, storing and using household hazardous products, safe pesticide and fertilizer use and storage, yard and garden care, abandoned wells and storm water management. Length of presentations will vary according to group requests. To speak with Andy, phone the number below or e-mail, vokesa@michigan.gov.

Through a memorandum of understanding with Missaukee County Board of Commissioners, Missaukee Conservation District administers these permits to landowners who build within 500 feet of a body of water or construction of a pond. In this relationship with the Missaukee County Commissioners we have office space, utilities, snow plowing, copy machines, and a 65% employee to administer the P.A. 451 program.

The fee for this permit is $80 for residential, and it is required before purchasing a building permit. If construction has begun before a permit is obtained, the fee will be double. More information regarding this permit is available through the Department of Environmental Quality website.

No-till is the ultimate erosion control conservation tillage system. In no-till, the soil is left undisturbed from harvest to planting except for nutrient injection. No-till is a time and fuel saving method of planting. Uses for the drill include wildlife plantings and corn, alfalfa or clover plantings. Whether you have one acre or 100, the drill can be a useful tool. Best of all you don't have to 'pitch rocks' to use the no-till drill on your field! If you are interested in renting the drill for $8 an acre, please give us a call.

Missaukee Conservation District offers a wide range of programs and events to county land users. For additional information on any of the following please feel free to email us or give us a call at 231.839.7193.