As we enjoy the last weeks of summer, we are starting to look forward to fall, cooler weather, and all the great workshop opportunities ahead. Don’t forget to keep Trailblazer in mind when looking for something to do in August. For example . . . Do you have trees that you might consider selling? Check out Trailblazer Tuesday at the Lincoln Parish Library on August 3 and find out how valuable your trees really are. Ever heard of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker? I’ll bet you have never seen one. Join us on August 12 in Homer to learn more about this elusive bird. Does it really exist? Join us and find out! I’ll be looking for you!
Sincerely, P. Ellzey Simmons Chief Executive Officer – Trailblazer RC&D
The Banner News – Bernice, LA
Trailblazer RC&D appreciates the great coverage of our workshops by The Banner News!
We always ask, “How did you find out about this workshop?” A large percentage of people in Union Parish respond: “THE NEWSPAPER.”
Thank you Bernice Banner for allowing us to be a part of your hometown news!
We hope to see you at a workshop soon!
Check out “Upcoming Events” at the bottom of this page.
Your Safety is Our Concern
Trailblazer RC&D’s workshops are conducted in accordance with Louisiana Department of Health COVID-19 guidelines, and attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask and practice social distancing.
July 1, 6, 13, 20, 27 Quail Forever Workshop Series on Wildlife Management Jonesboro, Ruston, Ringgold, Minden, Farmerville, LA
“Great information in understandable manner.” Workshop Participant
Quail Forever Workshop Series on Wildlife Management
Quail Forever’s mission is to conserve quail, pheasants, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education and conservation advocacy. Sabrina Claeys, Quail Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist, offered a workshop series during July on how to improve or restore critical wildlife habitats on private lands. These meetings were supported by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Trailblazer RC&D.
If you are interested in attending a workshop on wildlife habitat development, check out “Upcoming Events” at the bottom of this page.
July 29 All About Hummingbirds Ringgold Library, Ringgold, LA
Special thanks to the Saline Soil and Water Conservation District for their support of this workshop!
All About Hummingbirds Workshop – Ringgold, LA
A large group of people attended Trailblazer RC&D’s “All About Hummingbirds” workshop on July 29, 2021, at the Ringgold Library in Ringgold, Louisiana. Presenters shared information on how to attract hummingbirds, hummingbird migration patterns, habitat, and feeders. Representatives from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Saline Soil and Water Conservation District shared information on available technical and financial assistance. Participants enjoyed Ancie Parkman’s presentation and tips on flowers and hummingbirds, and during the workshop, Don Parkman, was honored by the Saline Soil and Water Conservation District for his many years of dedicated service to conservation. Congratulations Don!
This workshop was made possible by the support of ENABLE Midstream Partners; Mudd & Holland Consulting Foresters, LLC; Burnham Construction, Inc.; Bienville Parish Police Jury; Bienville Parish Library, Saline Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Trailblazer RC&D.
Thank You!
Many thanks go to Trailblazer’s July workshop partners, sponsors, and friends—they made it possible for us to offer quality workshops free of charge for all to attend.
To use the USDA NRCS conservation energy estimators, visit the NRCS website at: https://energytools.sc.egov.usda.gov or visit your local NRCS office for assistance.
Conservation News From Entergy
Article and photograph provided by Entergy Solutions – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Top Five Ways to Save Energy on Your Farm
Agriculture energy expenditures can be costly. Entergy Solutions offers many ways to decrease energy use and save on expenses while maintaining a modern, safe operation. Try these five energy-saving opportunities by partnering with a certified trade ally to reduce your utility costs and save money for your farm.
Ventilation Systems • Replace your fans with high efficiency models • Manage fan speeds based on moisture levels and air temperature • Achieve greater energy efficiency with increased fan diameter
Lighting Systems • Choose LED lamps and fixtures • Utilize timers and motion sensors • Extend equipment life with routine maintenance
Irrigation Systems • Reduce well pump motor horsepower to save up to 40% in energy costs • Ensure proper spacing of low-pressure nozzles • Reduce system pressure and achieve a 35% reduction in energy costs
Refrigeration Systems • Spray refrigerated areas with cold water • Ensure refrigeration storage is properly insulated • Utilize energy-efficient compressors, heat exchangers and refrigerants
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) • Gain greater flexibility by installing VFDs on fans and irrigation pumps • Match the operational speed of electrical motor and reach up to 60% in savings
Find out how your agribusiness can save money on utility bills for years to come!
• Schedule an Agriculture Energy Audit with an Energy Advisor to determine your facility’s energy savings potential. • Submit your application to your Energy Advisor and receive your incentive check. • Complete your energy efficiency upgrades.
Due to current COVID-19 conditions, NRCS staff are working with customers through phone, mail and online communications. Field work continues with appropriate social distancing to help producers with conservation planning and financial assistance through Farm Bill programs.
NRCS Local Offices (in Trailblazer RC&D’s outreach area)
All USDA Service Centers, including those with NRCS field offices, are not currently accessible to customers in person. Online services are available to customers with an eAuth account, which provides access to the farmers.gov offsite link where producers can view USDA farm loan information and payments and view and track certain USDA program applications and payments. Customers who do not already have an eAuth account can enroll at farmers.gov/sign-in. Online NRCS services are available to customers through the Conservation Client Gateway link which can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov. Customers can track payments, report completed practices, request conservation assistance and electronically sign documents.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Bats Are Facing Their Own Pandemic – White-Nose Syndrome
Since first detected near Albany, New York, in February 2006, white-nose syndrome has caused the death of more than 6.7 million bats in North America–threatening regional extinction for some species of bats. This disease is named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and wings of bats it infects. The fungus causes a multitude of issues that result in death of the bat.
The spread of white-nose syndrome can significantly impact the ecosystem. Bats help in seed distribution, pollination, and insect control. They contribute significantly to plant diversity and forest regeneration.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is monitoring where bats are known to hibernate, and they conduct annual surveillance for white-nose syndrome.
If you see a bat exhibiting signs of white-nose syndrome, contact Nikki Anderson at nanderson@wlf.la.gov or Dr. Jim LaCour at jlacour@wlf.la.gov.
From Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website: White-Nose Syndrome, https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/white-nose-syndrome, viewed on 8/1/2021.
811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you don’t unintentionally dig into an underground utility line.
This Dial 811 message is brought to you by Enable Midstream Partners. Enable Midstream Partners is a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates, and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets serving major producing basins and markets.
