Newsletter - Tree Sale Issue
February 2015, Issue 15-01
District Conservation & Stewardship News and Events
Directors:
John Mitchell, Chair
Mary Ellen Newton, Vice-Chair
Insa Raymond, Secretary
Duane Clover, Treasurer
Diana Lutz, Director
NRCS Phone: (517) 278-2725 ext. 3
District Phone: (517) 278-2725 ext.5
Staff:
Kathy Worst, Administrator
Brad Love, CTAI Technician
Michael Censke, MAEAP -Technician
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
USDA/NRCS: District Conservationist - Marcus Reynolds
Web site: www.Branchcd.org Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
67th BRANCH CD ANNUAL MEETING,
Director Elections & 9th CONSERVATION EXPO
Please join us on Saturday March 14th, 2015 from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm at the Branch Area Career Center, 366
Morse Street, Coldwater, MI for our 9th Annual Conservation EXPO and 67th District Annual Meeting. The annual
district business meeting including our keynote speaker and election results will be held during the EXPO luncheon
sponsored by Clemens Food Group. Ballots for this year’s election of two directors will also be available from
8:30AM until 12:30 pm.
Branch Conservation District is happy to present this year’s keynote speakers:
Earnest Meily & Leslie Wheeling
Sharing information on Clemens Food Group
and the Coldwater Pork Production Plant
Clemens Food Group a family owned business founded in 1895 is soon to become one of our local business
neighbors. This year’s keynote presentation will be given by Earnie Meily the Vice President of Human Resources for
Clemens Food Group and Leslie Wheeling our local Project Lead for Clemens Food Group Coldwater Human
Resources. Earnie and Leslie will discuss the history and Core Values of Clemens Food Group, along with a description
of the new fresh pork processing plant and accompanying job opportunities coming soon to Branch County. Please
bring your questions and join us for their presentation on March 14th at the Branch Area Career Center in Coldwater.
Additional expo topics will include:
Healthy Forestry for Both Woodlot and Wildlife Benefits
Improving Soil Health
Environmentally Friendly Backyard Gardening
Cover Crops
Natural Benefits of Prescribed Burns
(Dennis Worst – Worst Consulting Forestry)
(Branch CD- CTAI Tech.)
(Mike Censke – Branch CD MAEAP Tech.)
(Marcus Reynolds – USDA NRCS D. C.)
(John Mitchell – Branch CD Board Chair,
Burn Boss & Fort Custer Environmentalist)
Understanding Harmful Algae Blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin and its 2014 Aftermath
(Lauren Lindemann - The Nature Conservancy)
A donation of $5 per person to assist with event costs is suggested. RSVP’s are requested for Lunch. To reserve
your lunch, please call Kathy at (517) 278-2725 ext. 5, by March 5th.
Meet the Candidates for our two District Director Positions:
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Election of two District Directors each covering four-year terms, will take place March 14 at the Branch Area Career Center,
366 Morse St. in Coldwater, MI. Voter’s Registration forms and Ballots will be available during the Branch Conservation District
Expo between 8:30 AM and 12:30pm. (Absentee ballots are available now by contacting the district offices during business
hours - 8:00am until 4:30pm.) John Mitchell and Mary Ellen Newton are the Director candidates for this year.
Mary Ellen Newton our current Vice-Chairman is a retired Quincy elementary school teacher and very active volunteer with
youth education activities, the local garden clubs, master gardeners, and various other Branch County organizations. Mary Ellen
has been a valued member of the District Board for 22years.
John Mitchell, our current Board Chairman, is the Environmentalist at Fort Custer. He is a very active youth mentor &
Envirothon volunteer. Additionally, John serves as a board member for the Potawatomi RC&D, Michigan Envirothon, and several
other public boards and committees. John is a Branch county farmer, with an invaluable record of service on the Branch
Conservation District board for almost 34 years.
*To vote you must be a county resident of legal voting age and present one piece of legal ID. Absentee Ballots must be
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returned to the District office by March 13 at 4:30PM. Please call Kathy @ 517-278-2725 ext. 5 for absentee ballots.
Hunting Access Program (HAP) at Branch County Conservation District
New Enrolments are Now Being Accepted!
The Michigan DNR created HAP in 1977 to “increase public hunting opportunities in southern Michigan where 97
percent of the land base is privately owned. This program is now one of the oldest dedicated private lands public
access programs in the nation.” As a Michigan DNR partner, Branch CD currently manages 5 HAP properties consisting of 479
acres in Branch and Calhoun Counties. During the 2014 hunting season, over 801 hunters accessed these properties.
Of special note to landowners: New Enrolment is now open! We are currently seeking additional qualifying for HAP program
enrollment. HAP requires at least 20 acres of usable wildlife habitat on a minimum 40 acres of land to participate. HAP offers an
annual rental payment and property liability protection to eligible enrolled landowners. Rental rates vary depending upon the
time and type of hunting access allowed, quality of the habitat, and landowner involvement in USDA conservation programs.
Interested? Contact Kathy Worst or Mike Censke at the district office.
Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP)
The MAEAP Program is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, Michigan State University Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation
Services, and many other local and regional agencies. The program provides educational and technical assistance to agricultural
producers across the state, and works to prevent ground and surface water contamination from fertilizers, manure and
pesticides. To accomplish this, Mike Censke, your local MAEAP Technician can provide information and assessment tools for
agricultural operations. This information helps identify risks to ground and surface water associated with agricultural practices,
along with coordinating local, state, and federal resources to assist with risk reductions. Upon meeting the guidelines of the
MAEAP Program, a producer can become MAEAP Verified. MAEAP verification can provide a host of benefits including
environmental liability reduction, RUP Credits, additional points on Farm Bill Program applications and even discounts on the
liability portion of Farm Bureau Insurance Plans.
At the closing of FY2014, a total of 51 producers were participating in the MAEAP Program in both St. Joe & Branch Counties.
This past year’s hard work has led to 298 Risk Reductions and 16 new Verifications. With each passing year, the Branch & St
Joseph MAEAP Program gains momentum, which may produce record results for these counties in FY15.
For assistance in reducing risks to ground and surface water as well as meeting voluntary guidelines within the Michigan
Agricultural Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP), please contact Mike Censke at 517-278-2725 ext. 5 to schedule your
free and confidential on-site review.
Comments from District Administrator (Kathy Worst):
We have had a very positive year here at the district. Our Prairie River Watershed plan was approved by both the State of
Michigan, Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) and the Federal EPA, 319 Nonpoint Source Pollution program. We have continued with
your help, some of our wonderful projects including MiCorps, Conservation Expo, Summer Farm Field days, a wide variety of
Education outreach upon request and more. So thank you our many supporters who donate time and funds, assist with
programs, or purchase district products. You are the reason we are able to continue our projects and programs. Are you
interested in volunteer opportunities? Please contact Kathy at the district office for information.
*A Special Note from our friends at Pheasants Forever:
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Pheasants Forever Annual will hold its annual Banquet March 28 . To register, contact Erick Hillborg at (517) 741-7000.
Partnered Assistance Opportunities from the USDA-NRCS & the Branch Conservation – CTAI Program:
Branch Conservation District’s CTAI Soil Conservationist, Brad Love, and USDA-NRCS District Conservationist, Marcus Reynolds,
aim to assist landowners with implementation of practices intended to improve the quality and profitability of the land, reduce
environmental impact, promote wildlife habitat and management, and promote positive relationships between and amongst a
variety of different community groups. We accomplish these goals by offering technical assistance and if needed and eligible,
financial assistance through NRCS programs.
USDA-NRCS's conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase
wildlife habitat, and many other benefits to producers and non-landowners alike. Public benefits include enhanced natural
resources that help sustain agricultural productivity and environmental quality while supporting continued recreation, economic
development, and scenic beauty. Much of the work performed is under Farm Bill programs that provide landowners and
producers financial assistance to encourage adoption of new conservation practices to meet the aforementioned goals. Other
programs allow landowners to sell development rights to their land that require the land to be maintained as wetlands or for
specific agricultural uses. Some of the programs that are available include:
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
&
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Please contact Brad Love or Marcus Reynolds at (517) 278-2725 ext. 3 for more information on how we can help you reach
your goals towards sustainable land management.
Warm Season Grassland Prescribed Burns
Branch Conservation District continued to offer a volunteer prescribed burn assistance program this year. During the 2014
season, we completed one large prescribed burn project enhancing 79.3 acres of wildlife habitat. If you are interested in a
prescribed burn, signups are now open for our 2015 spring and fall assists on a first come first serve basis. Contact Kathy for
information.
Coldwater River Stream Monitoring Program (MiCorps)
In 2014 we continued the spring portion Coldwater River Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program, with help from our stream
team’s local volunteer base, BACC students and teachers. We temporarily suspended the program for the fall season to catch up
on data analysis and assess its effectiveness. The program is expected to return for the spring or fall of 2015. To all of our
volunteers, thank you. We truly appreciate your dedication. You have been wonderful partners and we hope you continue to
join us in the new season. Updates will come along soon for those of you who are interested. If you would like to donate to the
project or join us as a Stream Team Volunteer, please let us know by contacting Kathy at (517)278-2725 ext. 5 or
[email protected]. We’d love to have you “Come Get Wet With Us!”
From Your USDA - Farm Service Agency: Important ARC/PLC Program Deadlines Approaching
Dates associated with ARC and PLC that farm owners and producers need to know:
•Now through Feb. 27, 2015: Farm owners may visit their local Farm Service Agency office to update yield history and/or
reallocate base acres.
•Now through March 31, 2015: Producers make a one-time election between ARC and PLC for the 2014 through 2018 crop years.
•Mid-April 2015 through summer 2015: Producers sign contracts for 2014 and 2015 crop years.
•October 2015: Payments issued for 2014 crop year, if needed.
To learn more about which safety net options are most appropriate for specific farming operations, farmers can use new Web
tools at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc, which can be accessed from the convenience of a home computer or a mobile device at any
time. To learn more about upcoming educational meetings, farmers can contact their local Farm Service Agency county office at
http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app.
Truax No-Till Drill
For fourteen years, our partnership with MDNR, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited has helped landowners throughout
Branch County plant warm-season fluffy-seeded grasses, food plots and cover crops to protect the soil and enhance wildlife
habitat. In 2014, fifteen projects on almost 165 acres were completed throughout Branch County. Our 2015 signups are
currently open for rental of the Truax No-Till Warm Season Grass Drill. To sign up or for more information concerning the no-till
drill, contact Kathy at - Email: [email protected]; Phone: (517)278-2725 ext. 5; or on the web: branchcd.org.
Swan Creek Migratory Waterfowl Habitat Restoration
Our “Swan Creek” restoration partnership, with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to implement wetland, forestland,
and grassland restorations. The Fish and Wildlife service expanded to projects into other areas of our county last year, through
alternate program funds and is looking for more projects. If you are interested in habitat restorations, please contact Kathy to
discuss your needs, opportunities and to see if these projects might work for you.
2015 Branch County Conservation District
ANNUAL SPRING TREE& SHRUB SALE INFORMATION
Orders will be accepted through March 26, 2015 or when we’re out of products, whichever comes first! All products are sold on a first come – first serve basis! We will do our
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best to fill all orders received by the deadline. Distribution will be held at the Branch County 4-H Fairground, Goat Barn, 262 Sprague Street, Coldwater on April 17 (9am to
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4pm) and 18 (8am to noon). We’ll send you a postcard reminder in April. Water all seedlings during dry periods and protect from deer browse for 3 years.
Tree/Shrub/Plant Descriptions
Conifers:
Bald Cypress – (Taxodium distichum) – Cypress is a medium growth
rate tree, that likes a variety of soils. It is fine in wet and moist
conditions. It grows 120 feet living 600 years. It’s somewhat drought
tolerant doing well in full sun. Semi-evergreen, it drops its leaves in
the fall after they turn gold or rust color. It’s known for cypress knees
in wetter soils - believed to help the roots gain oxygen. Uses are wood
landscaping and for wildlife including turkeys, wood ducks and others.
Blue Spruce – (Picea pungens glauca) – A moderately slow-growing
and long-lived tree reaching 80 feet in height. It will tolerate most
upland soils, except poorly drained with enough moister and does
well in full sun. Used for landscaping, windbreaks, holiday trees,
and as a food source, roosting, nesting site or shelter by lots of
wildlife including deer, pheasants, and many other small birds or
animals.
White Pine - (Pinus strobus) – A long-lived, moderately fast
growing tree capable of reaching 100 feet in height. Its best growth
occurs on moist sandy loam soils, but will do well in most soil
conditions. It is moderately shade tolerant. White Pines provide
food, shelter and nesting for lots of small birds, deer, and a wide
variety of animals. Nice for landscaping and windbreaks.
White Spruce - (Picea glauca) – Is a long-lived, slow-growing tree
reaching to 75 feet high. It’s moderately shade-tolerant, doing
best in full sun. It will grow in moist or dry sites, but prefers sandy
loam soil. Excellent for windbreaks and very hardy, it is used for
food and shelter by various wildlife, and for Christmas trees.
Deciduous Trees:
American Sycamore – (Platanus occidentalis) – This tree likes moister
Soils and is fast growing to 100 ft. or taller. It’s a good shade tree,
tolerant of pollution, but not of drought. The beautiful white bark
exfoliates in green or gray brown shades. A sycamore’s button seeds
are liked by song birds and other wildlife. The tree as a whole serves
as shelter and a food source for various wildlife including, whitetail
deer, finches squires, owls and wood ducks.
Hackberry – (Celtis Occidentalis) – A medium to large tree or
shrub 40 to 60ft. tall, with large spreading branches. It grows
well in adverse conditions. The small dark berries make it a great
food source for wildlife including turkeys, pheasants, quail, cedar
waxwings, butterflies, and whitetail deer. It can be a little yard
messy, so use it on the edges or in a windbreak.
Bruce Marlin
Ohio Buckeye – (Aesculus glabra) – Medium size tree growing 49 to
82 ft. tall. Flowering in yellow to yellow green spring panicles. The
Fruit contains tannic acid highly poisonous to cattle and humans, but
eaten by squirrels. Native Americans, boiled out the toxic tannic acid
using the nuts for a high protein food source and the acid for leather
making. Trees prefer rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and partial
shade , but tolerate full sun with lots of water. Nice landscape tree.
Sassafras – (Sassafras albidum) – Grows from 30 to 59 ft. tall,
with tiny yellow flowers. Need multiple trees to be certain of
having both male and female for pollination. This fragrant
tree grows best in moist open woods, fence rows, or in fields
with well-drained or sandy loam soils, but tolerates a variety
of soils. It’s a nice food source for birds like turkey and
kingbirds, deer and other wildlife.
Shagbark Hickory – (Carya ovata) - This tree often grows well over
100 feet tall living over 350 years in moist well-drained soils. It has
sweet tasting edible nuts, which were a significant Algonquian food
source. These nuts still are a good food source for Turkeys, squirrels,
Mallards and other wildlife as well as humans. It’s a good lumber
Tree and popular source for meat smoking wood.
Shingle Oak – (Quercus imbricaria) – Used for shingles by early
settlers, this tree likes full sun to partial shade. Normally grows
to 60ft. in moist to well-drained soils. Can handle adverse soil
conditions. This is an important wildlife tree for homes and
food used by a wide variety of animals including turkeys, other
Birds raccoons, and squirrels. Nice shade or street tree.
Swamp White Oak – (Quercus bicolor) - Rapid growth rate to 100’.
Expect acorns within 5-9 years. You can plant this tree in wet or
upland soils. Used for lumber and landscaping, it is another good
wildlife choice as food for deer, ducks geese and other animals as
as well as for shelter and nesting sites.
Sweet Gum – (Liquidambar styraciflua)- A nice shade tree. Full
sun. Unique star shaped leaf. Leaves are food for Luna moth
caterpillars and the seeds are eaten by goldfinch, purple finch
squirrels and chipmunks. Grows 33 to 50ft living to 400 years.
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
White Flowering Dogwood – (Cornus florida) A pretty spring
flowering tree with white flowers and red berries in the fall.
This tree grows to 40ft. Nice for landscapes along boarders
in partial shade.
“Trees Planted” Signs – Consider these yellow metal signs to
let others know your trees there are planted here.
Marking Flags – Mark your trees with these easily seen wire flags
with a Flo Pink color flap.
Specialty (Non-Native) Fruit, Nut, and Flowering Shrubs and Trees:
Morse Persimmon – This hybrid Persimmon grows in a wide
variety of well drained soils. It has a very cold hardy fruit
with a high sugar content. Sold in groups of 5 to assure male
and female for pollination. Ripening late in the fall it is
enjoyed by all types of wildlife including whitetail and turkeys.
Hybrid Pear – This Hybrid is easily established with a very fast
growth rate. Fruit sizes vary and ripen slowly from October
through December. The fruit makes good jam and wine. It is
well-liked by wildlife.
Apple Bunches & Bunches Red Crabapple - These are a very
large hybrid variety of Crabapples that persist through the winter.
This tree is very well liked by wildlife. Good for food plots and
property lines.
Tree Planting Gel – Helps to ensures root, water retention and
lessons transplanting shock. Depending on seedling size,
1 ounce covers 250 to 500 trees.
Shrubs:
American Hazelnut – (Corylus Americana) – Moderate growth rate
to about 12’. Likes moist to dry soils and shade to partial shade.
Its cover, nesting and nuts provide high value food sources and
habitat for wildlife like deer, fox, turkeys, pheasants and others.
Protective tree tubes – Variety of possible sizes for placing over
the top of and protecting your seedlings from animals & weed
animals & weed trimmers. If interested, please call to special order.
Eastern Redbud - (Ceris canadensis) Graceful spreading crown
growing 20’ to 30’ high. Likes partial shade and windy dry areas.
Rosy pink flowers appearing in April.
Red Osier Dogwood – (Cornus stolonifera) – Prefers sandy to clay,
moderately wet soils. Grows 7 –10 feet tall; 6 to 8 feet. Fruit eaten
by cardinals, ruffed and sharptail grouse. Displays showy white
berries and red bark in winter.
berries
Shadblow Service Berry – (Amelanchier Canadensis) Growth
dense multi-stemmed; 6 to 20 ft., with beautiful white flowers.
Moist soils. Sweet red to purple fruit. Is very well liked by wildlife
and people.
Winter Berry (Michigan Holly) – (Ilex verticillata) Growth 5 to
15 ft. in moist soils. Its scarlet red fruit is eaten by small
mammals & over 48 bird species. This bush has gorgeous red
berries in winter.
Specialty Tree Seedling Packages - containing 10 trees 2 per each species:
Upland Wildlife Habitat Seedling Package – American Hazelnut, Shadblow Service Berry, Shagbark Hickory, White Pine & Sassafras.
Wetter Soils Wildlife Habitat Seedling Package – American Hazelnut, Winter Berry, Bald Cypress, Swamp White Oak, & Shadblow Service Berry.
Not for standing water.
Berry & Nut Seedling Packet for Deer, Turkeys and Other Wildlife - American Hazelnut, Shingle Oak, Shagbark Hickory, Swamp White Oak & Hackberry
Specialty Items:
Native Pollinator Seed Packets: Create a special garden for butterflies, birds, & other pollinators with this 5.5 once mix of native wildflowers & grasses.
Covers about 500 sq. ft.
Something New! Garden Fruit Plants:
Strawberry Crowns - Albion/Everbearing/Day Nuetral (Fragaria vesca) Produces fruit all summer long. Tolerant of cold temperatures and temperature
fluctuations.
Black Raspberry - Jewel (Rubus occidentalis) – June bearing fruit.
Other Helpful Items:
Plantskydd Deer Repellent – Controls deer/rabbit damage. Active ingredient is dried blood with vegetable oil used as plant material adhesive.
Stimulates a predator, fear-based response. USA sources only Protects up to 6 months over winter. Available in larger sizes or as a crystal as well – let us
know if you are interested.
Mosquito Barrier – Natural product; when sprayed upon lawn helps keep mosquitoes, gnats, flees, & ticks away for approximately one month.
(Additional applications required after rain.) Does not harm other beneficial insects, pets or people.
Upcycle Rain Barrels, Rain Barrel - Wooden Pedestal Risers & Tumbling Composters – Made from mostly recycled materials, these are great items for your back
yard gardening needs.
55 Gallon Rain Barrels are paintable and can be connected to one another for overflow. They come in Black, Grey, Blue and Terra Cotta.
Wooden Pedestal Risers keep the rain barrel set at the best height of 12 inches off the ground.
55 Gallon Tumbling Composters are black for optimum heat retention and set on a stand to provide proper vegetative material breakdown.
Stovall Bird and Houses – Beautifully made to encourage use by our local bird and butterfly populations. (Many other items available – please ask.)
(W/M Rustic) Bluebird House has a side opening for easy cleaning, with a 1 9/16 inch entrance hole, hinged roof for observation and side cleanout.
Made from Red Cedar.
(Rustic) Wood Duck House – with a 3” x 4” entrance, screen for youth to exit on the inside and a side opening for observation and cleanout. Red Cedar
Butterfly Habitat – Great for gardens, with a pine construction, front ventilation and a screen on the back for hibernation.
Full Color Books:
What's Doin' the Bloomin'? - Clayton Oslund - Comprehensive guide of native and naturalized plants Organized by bloom time - over 620 full-color photographs.
Paddler’s Guide to Michigan – Jeff Counts - A well put together guide to canoeing and kayaking areas in Michigan.
Wildflowers of Michigan Field Guide, Trees of Michigan Field Guide, Birds of Michigan Field Guide Stan Tekiela - Nice, color pictured, field guides for Michigan.
Fish of Michigan Field Guide - Dave Bosanko - A color pictured, field guide to Michigan Fish. (Water resistant pages too!)
Butterflies of Michigan Field Guide - Jaret C. Daniels – A beautiful colored guide to Butterflies and Moths of Michigan.
Great Lakes Wildlife Nature Activity Book - James Kavanagh – A fun activity book for children covering nature in Michigan.
"It is unlawful for these trees, shrubs, and other plants to be resold with the roots attached, in accordance with the Insect Pest and Plant Disease Act, P.A. 189 of 1931, as amended." The Branch Conservation District and the Natural
Resources Conservation Service programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, or family status. The Branch
Conservation District and NRCS are equal opportunity employers.” Photos used in this material were courtesy of district staff members, Morse Nursery, the USDA-NRCS, and Wikimedia Common Source.
Michigan Conservation Districts are the local providers of
natural resource management services that help our
citizens conserve their lands and our environment for a
cleaner, healthier, economically stronger Michigan.
Your Local, Natural Resource, Resource
Branch Conservation District
387 N. Willowbrook Rd.,
Suite F,
Coldwater, MI 49036
Branch Conservation District Calendar
March 14th, 2015 - Branch Conservation District’s 67th Annual Meeting
& 9th Conservation Expo
We are pleased to announce our Keynote Speakers:
Earnest Meily & Leslie Wheeling
Sharing information on: Clemens Food Group
&
The Coldwater Pork Production Plant
(For other topics please read further in this newsletter.)
Upcoming events:
District Monthly Board Meetings – 2nd Tuesday of each Month - 7 PM - 387 N. Willowbrook Ave.,
Coldwater
February 16th - See us at Farmer’s Day at the Branch area Career Center
April 17 and 18th - Spring Tree Sale - Pre-order before March 26, 2014
Coming in May (TBD) – Coldwater River Stream Team Sampling Day & Bug ID Night
June 6th – Native Plant Sale
August – 9th through 16th - See us at the Branch County Fair
Coming this summer: *MAEAP Farm Field Day & More