Rhode Island State Technical Team (STT) Meeting notes

January 9, 2008
USDA Conference Room
Warwick, RI

Attending: Roylene Rides at the Door, STC, Michael Moorman ASTC-P, Tim Pindell, RC, J. Eric Scherer, SRC - RI NRCS; Rob Swanson, SED, Michael Pezza, State Committee member, USDA -  FSA; Ken Ayars, Chief, RI DEM Div. of Agriculture; Ernest Panciera, RI  DEM Office of Water Resources; Thomas Abbott, RI DEM, Division of Forest Environment; Gregg Cassidy, RI DEM, Office of Sustainable Watersheds; Rick Pace, EccoAssets Markets; Kris Stuart, Environmental Council of RI / Southern Rhode Island Conservation District; Margherita Pryor, US EPA; Kristin Dame, URI CES; Stu Nunnery, Executive Director, RICAPE

Introductions, Review Agenda, and Opening Comments

Roylene Rides at the Door State Conservationist welcomed everyone and asked for any updates for the agenda.

Ms. Rides at the Door briefed the members on the recent updates, including Congressional action (passage of House and Senate versions of the 2007 Farm Bill) for funding for programs in FY 2008.  NRCS is currently operating under an Omnibus Bill until March 15, 2008.  She provided a copy (see handout) of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) table “Comparison of Senate Passed Farm Bill, House Passed Farm Bill, and 1985 Food Security Act (as amended by subsequent legislation/Farm Bills.  This NACD table allows comparisons of each version of the Bills by Program and the additional provisions of Regional Equity, Payment limitations and delivery of technical assistance.    

Ms. Rides at the Door stressed that RI NRCS will be pushing to have all FY 08 program contracts signed by the end of January.  For those contracts not able to be approved by then may have to be re-ranked and meet new Farm Bill Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) levels and payment limitation provisions.  She also mentioned that there will not be funding for the Watershed Planning program (PL-06) for FY 08 and that NRCS will not be able to provide assistance to the public in this area. She also noted that although RI Congressional offices have requested a congressional earmark for PL -06 funds for the Pocasset River Watershed Plan for FY 08, RI was informed that this funding would need to come out of existing non PL-06 fund allocations for technical and financial assistance, of which there are none.  At the present time NRCS is also not taking any new FY 08 applications for the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and if WHIP funds become available between now and March 15^th, only current backlogged FY 07 applications will be considered by the National Office for funding.  Staff is currently developing a list of those FY 07 WHIP backlog contract applications.

Mike Moorman presented a table listing the 71 FY 08 Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) applications that were ranked (copy attached).  He reviewed the current status of the ranking and eligibility of the applications.  One application is awaiting information in order to be ranked.  The Program staff is recommending that a cut off point be established at 1000 points for eligible applicants to receive funding.  This was concurred by the Team.  There are eight applications that fall under the 1000 point ranking value with nine contracts having been signed.  Staff anticipate all ranked contracts to be completed and signed by the end of the month.

Mr. Moorman discussed that there is $2.8 million available of EQIP funds for FY 08 contracts and current applications account for approximately $2.1 million.  There was discussion on the possibility of a second ranking period.   Once staff has all current contracts signed a discussion on a second ranking period will be held in late January or early February.

State Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG)
 

Mike Moorman provided an update on the state CIG program.  The FY 08 State CIG program announcement will be going out on the official federal grant site www.Grants.gov  and the Conservation Districts, working under the Rhode Island State Conservation Committee will be administering the state CIG and have scheduled three public workshops.   Mike Moorman explained in a little more detail the national vs. state offered programs and that state CIG funds 5% of the EQIP budget (FY 08 state CIG grant amount is $180,000 with a $75,000 cap on the 50% match).  The deadline for state CIG applications is February 29^th.
 

Farm Viability
 

Ken Ayars, Chief, RI DEM – Division of Agriculture, tabled an update on the Farm Viability program (he stated that there are many positive farm viability activities in the state) so as to provide more time to discuss other important issues of concern to him, including the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), which will be discussed under the FRPP agenda item.  Mr. Ayars discussed the SARE funded field Cooperative Extension Service position at URI and that his office helped to obtain the original funding for this position and that he would be meeting with Dean Seeman of the College of Environment and Life Sciences to discuss how to continue the funding of the position.  DEM is considering supporting this position with funds that are matched by the College.  Ken is aware of support by others and asked for continued support of the position through letters of support.  This position, held by Kristen Dame, currently attends the STT and provides a written update on her activities.  Eric Scherer concurred that this position was an important one and encouraged support of it and mentioned that NRCS was (had) sent a letter of support to the Dean (he will confirm this).  There was common agreement that this position should be continued to be supported by the STT members. 
 

ACTION ITEM:  Eric Scherer will confirm that NRCS has submitted a letter of Support to the Dean of the College of Environment and Life Sciences for the position.
 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Kristen Dame - provide to the STT a copy of the position description and duties for their information as well as any available summaries of accomplishments to date as a result of the position.

Rhode Island Center for Agricultural Promotion and Education (RICAPE)
 

Stu Nunnery, Executive Director, RICAPE, provided a brief update on activities.  He discussed his involvement with the Conservation Partnership Outreach Committee that resulted from the Conservation Partnership meeting with NRCS at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn this past October.  The Committee has met and Stu encouraged other organizations not yet involved to become involved and provide him with contact information.  He is scheduling the next meeting of the committee in the near future.  Stu also mentioned that RICAPE is sponsoring two workshops for Rhode Island farmers on farm business planning for existing and new or beginning farmers.  The dates for these are February 15^th and March 4^th.  Stu asked if NRCS might be interested in having staff come to the meeting to present information on funding opportunities.

ACTION ITEM:  Mike Moorman will confirm that NRCS will be able to send staff to work with Stu at the upcoming farm business planning meetings.
 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Stu Nunnery - provide to the STT a copy of the dates for the next Conservation Partnership Outreach Committee meeting and a short description of the mission.
 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Stu Nunnery - provide to the STT a copy of the dates for the upcoming Farm Business Workshops on February 15 and March 4.
 

Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP)
 

Mr. Moorman stated that the FRPP, working with the RI Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, closed on two properties in December, the Dutra Farm and the Neale Farm. Due to some last minute concerns by the local land trust, they decided not to participate and the State of Rhode Island stepped up and added additional funds to the purchase of the Dutra property.  Additionally, the State and NRCS closed on the Treaty Rock Farm easements. 

Mr. Moorman stated that the FY 08 FRPP allocation has not been announced but current discussions may indicate the allocation to be close to prior year allocations.  He was expecting to hear any time soon more details on an announcement of the FY 08 program and sign up period and any other guidance on what the FY 08 rules will be.  Some discussion has been heard that only those applications from FY 07 with firm commitments from existing entities will be eligible for funding.   Ken Ayars expressed strong concerns that FY 08 funding for FRPP will be limited in such away.  He urged the STT to consider the impact and fairness of this approach and urged a strong message to the NRCS National Office from the STT to object to this approach.  Ken Ayars stated that the Congressional Offices will be contacted on behalf of DEM and the Agricultural Land Preservation Commission.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:  Ken Ayars (and other STT members) – it was recommended that any member of the STT who was concerned about the approach being offered by the NRCS National Office on limiting the allocation of FY 08 FRPP Funds to last year agreements and entities was not in the best interest of the state and local protection programs and to strongly state their objections while there might still be time.

Practice Payment Schedule

Eric Scherer presented updates from Reena Shaw, State Economist, on changes to the Practice Payment Schedule (PPS) to Team members for their review (handout provided) .  The handout was developed by Reena Shaw, State Economist with a great deal of input from staff and partners.  This new practice payment schedule will replace the former cost share practice list used for past year Farm Bill programs.  Reena developed the new schedule to resemble the past formats used in the coast share lists to provide for a smoother transition to the new system. 

Each member of the STT was asked to continue to provide any additional data or information they had on costs and prices to Reena.  These can be used for future updates of the PPS. 

Field Office Technical Guide
 

Tim Pindell, Resource Conservationist, presented copies of the last two conservation practice standard notices for review and comments (handout attached).  He also presented and discussed a draft RI NRCS  - Manure Land-Application Setback Table to be incorporated into conservation practice standards listed on the table (Tim will add Heavy Use Area to this list).  Tim requested comments and recommendations and is in the process of discussing the setbacks with RI DEM and how possible waivers might be applied for.   

Canadian Geese Issue
 

Tim Pindell presented an update for Tom Sandham, District Manager for ERICD, from last subcommittee meeting minutes (handout provided) on the resident goose control issue.  Tim discussed the strategies the subcommittee is considering.  There was keen interest by a number of STT members and suggestions offered for the committee.  It was recommended that the current “Proposed Action”, item number 5 of the notes be developed into a more details action plan with action items, dates and responsible parties.
 

ACTION ITEM:  Tim Pindell will work with Tom Sandham (and the Subcommittee) to convey the discussion of the STT meeting and encourage the development of an more detailed action plan.
 

Prescribed Forestry
 

Eric Scherer presented for Chris Modisette draft comments on the use of the Prescribed Forestry conservation practice standard (Code 409).  These draft comments were developed by staff with input form several partners in response for information from the NRCS National Forester (copies of comments provided to STT members).  A brief discussion of the draft comments was given and the STT members were asked to review the information and provide feedback as soon as they could so it might be considered and incorporated in the final draft.  The final draft needs to be send out by the end of February.
 

Rhode Island Small-Scale Farms Technical Support Project Report
 

Last month Kristin Dame was introduced as newest member of the URI Cooperative Extension Service and is working as a field agent. She provided a written report on her recent activities (copy attached).  She mentioned her work with NRCS staff and outreach efforts and some possible funding opportunities for the position (see earlier comments from Ken Ayars).  She is currently applying for a SARE grant for a IPM related project for small scale farms on Perimeter Crop Trapping (PTC). 
 

Farm Service Agency

Rob Swanson, SED, provided summary of important issues for the Farm Service Agency , including the announcement of the FY 05/06 and 07 crop incentive payment program (NIAP).  FSA is also waiting for the Farm Bill to be passed for their funding.

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