Welcome to our new Habitat & Prairie Pages!

***8/2/10 CRP SIGN UP
The General Sign-up will run from Aug.2nd to August 27th. If anyone is interested in participating, they may contact myself with questions (608)742-5361 ext.108, or call the Columbia County Farm Service (FSA) office at (608)742-5361 ext.2. There are 4 scheduled landowner informational meetings. These meetings are designed to discuss basic eligibility requirements, available practices, how to increase your score to better your chances to be accepted, etc. They will be held here at the USDA office in Portage Aug. 5th and Aug.
12th at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. both days. The address is:

USDA
2912 Red Fox Run
Portage, WI 53901

Eric Krueger

*** 6/4/2010 WI Chapters Protect 719 Acres in 2009
All added to public land base and open to hunting
Several PF Wisconsin chapters participated in land deals in 2009 thath ave or will result in the donation of 7 parcels totaling 719 acre to the DNR for pubic use. Doing what PF does so well, these chapters worked to leverage their resources to be selected for state and federal grants (which your LAF contribution helps ensure are available), plus worked to partner up with other conservation groups and land trusts to complete the deals. Projects include:
St. Croix County 每205 acre Nagel property.
First Build a Wildlife Area project in Wisconsin.
Indianhead, Kinni, and Racine County Chapters contributing.

Columbia County 每40 acre Wolf parcel.
Now part of the Pine Island State Wildlife Area.
Completed by the Columbia County Chapter.

Rock County 每69 acre Johnson parcel donated to the DNR
as part of Evansville咄ootville PHG. Completed by the
Rock River Valley Chapter.

Fond du lac County 每50 acre Wiese parcel donated to the DNR and near Eldorado Marsh Wildlife Area.
Spearheaded by the Fox River Valley and Fond du lac County Chapters.

Chippewa County 每60 acre Melville Meadows parcel, added to the HallieMarsh Wildlife Area. Spearheaded by the Chippewa Valley Chapter.

Chippewa County 每200 acre YonkeWetland, near the Chippewa River corridor, an important migratory bird area. Another project lead by the Chippewa Valley Chapter.

Rock County 每95 acre Dooley property. Full donation and currently under PF ownership awaiting future donation to DNR. Rock River Valley Chapter.

Congratulations to all, as well as all the partners!Remember, none of these deals were done by one person. They take great dedication, cooperation, and determination by many people, but the rewards are huge! There are several more Wisconsin land projects currently in the works with hopes of completion in 2010.

*** 6/4/2010 Summer Mowing for Weed Control
Your biggest task in the first few years of a prairie planting is weed control. Weeding, burning, and mowing are the most effective ways to control weeds.
In small areas, removing and cutting back weeds are the most efficient methods. The most challenging aspect of these tasks is distinguishing between prairie plants and weeds. If you aren't sure what a seedling is, wait a week and look again, but be sure to remove the suspected weeds before they flower and set seed.
The best way to manage a large prairie is through the use of controlled burns, and the best time of year for that is now behind us. Mowing and removing clippings is a good substitute for burning, particularly on smaller sites. If you start a prairie from seed, mowing is recommended during the first year to control weeds which grow more quickly than prairie plants. For the first few years, set the mower high (6" to 8") to avoid cutting desirable prairie plants. After 4 or 5 years mow once a year after the seeds have fallen, or preferably, in the early spring. Remove clippings to expose crowns for re‐growth.
Prairie usually needs no herbicides, insecticides, or fertilizers. Dense prairie vegetation will discourage invading weeds although perennial grasses from adjacent turf can invade along the edges of the planting. The wildflowers will provide food for beneficial insects which will aid in controlling pest insect populations.

*** PF has various seed mixes available for CRP or prairie restorations. Spring seed is available. For order form and complete listing please contact Bill Schaller at; schaller.eng.cocker@verizon.net I will email you the print out.


We are still wanting to push the CRP SAFE program in the eastern part of the county. Again, this encompasses Courtland and Fountain Prairie Townships. It is a continuous signup, so anyone in those two townships interested in CRP should give me a call or stop by the office.
Also, we are still pushing the Wetlands Reserve Program. Currently, accepted applicants in Columbia county will receive $4000/acre for cropland and $3000/acre for noncropland in a permanent easement. Pass the word on to anyone who has drained agland who is looking for other options with their property.
There is also currently a signup for the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). WHIP offers cost-sharing to for various practices such as prairie establishment, controlled burning, brush management, to name a few. EQIP offers cost-sharing for practices leaning more towards agricultural operations. The signup for these two programs runs through February 19th. Those interested should stop into the office or call 608-742-5361 ext.3.
Here are a few websites for more information:

WHIP: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/whip.html
EQIP: http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip.html
WRP: ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WI/Pubs/wrpfsWI.pdf
SAFE: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/stateoffapp?mystate=wi&area=home&subject=prog&topic=landing


Eric Krueger
Farm Bill Biologist, Pheasants Forever
USDA-NRCS
2912 Red Fox Run Rd.
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608)742-5361 ext.108
Cell: (608)444-9828
Email: ekrueger@pheasantsforever.org
eric.krueger@wi.usda.gov