May 14, 2021, Farm Pond Construction and Management Workshop, Haughton, Louisiana
Dear Friends,
People love FREE WORKSHOPS, and we love the sponsors who make our free workshops possible! With sponsor support, we are able to bring a large variety of workshops to communities near you.
The very best presenters, the most timely information, and fun times are scheduled for June and July. Please take a moment to look at the list of upcoming events below and find a workshop near you. Call us and save your spot. I guarantee that you will have a good time, learn a lot, meet new people, make connections, and sign up to attend another workshop!
We are looking forward to seeing you!
Sincerely, P. Ellzey Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Trailblazer RC&D
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
A Trailblazer Farm Pond Construction and Management Workshop was held on May 14, 2021, at Red Oak Lake near Haughton. Fifty-four people attended the workshop. Participants said the presentations were excellent and very easy to understand. Favorite workshop activities were the fish shocking, learning about fish stocking and pond construction, and individual help offered. Overall, everyone enjoyed the workshop, gave high marks to the presenters, and said the meal was excellent!
This workshop was provided free to the public through the partnership and support of ENABLE Midstream Partners; Mudd & Holland Consulting Foresters, LLC; Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF); Louisiana Forestry Association; Bossier Parish Police Jury; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Trailblazer RC&D.
Special thanks go to Tim Holland and family for their extra effort and time spent to make this workshop a great success! We appreciate your support!
“Great information and on-site demonstration.” – Workshop Participant
Watch our website for dates! Another farm pond workshop is planned for the fall!
May 14, 2021, Farm Pond Construction and Management Workshop, Haughton, Louisiana
May 14, 2021, Farm Pond Construction and Management Workshop, Haughton, Louisiana
May 25 Whitetails Unlimited Meeting
Trailblazer RC&D participated in a Whitetails Unlimited meeting in Ruston, Louisiana, on May 25, 2021, by offering a presentation on developing wildlife habitat for whitetail deer. Biologist Terry Johnston provided information on using native plants to improve deer habitat, as well as how to introduce desirable plant species to wildlife habitat areas.
We appreciate the invitation to participate in this meeting! Special thanks go to Daniel Taylor, the Whitetails Unlimited group, and Glenn Scriber for including Trailblazer RC&D!
“The PowerPoint that was shown and the information given by the speaker was excellent.” – Workshop Participant
May 25, 2021, Whitetails Unlimited Meeting, Ruston, Louisiana
May 27 All About Bats Workshop
An “All About Bats” workshop was hosted on May 27, 2021, at the LSU AgCenter in West Monroe, Louisiana. Presenters shared information on how important bats are to pollination, agriculture, insect control, and more.
This workshop was made possible by the support of ENABLE Midstream Partners; Mudd & Holland Consulting Foresters, LLC; Burnham Construction, Inc.; Canfor Southern Pine; Louisiana Forestry Association; LSU AgCenter; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Trailblazer RC&D.
Many thanks go to Max Cox for a GREAT PRESENTATION! Special thanks go to Jamie Shivers and staff of USDA NRCS for making this workshop a great success!
May 27, 2021, All About Bats Workshop, West Monroe, Louisiana
Farm ponds are built for many reasons. Agricultural producers use ponds for livestock, waterfowl and wildlife habitat, irrigation, fire protection, fish production, and recreation. Depending on your planned use, farm ponds can be designed to meet your specific needs.
Before you get started there are several things you need to think about:
Legal considerations – Pond related permitting is required.
Pond use – Pond use will determine the pond design.
Pond site – Soil type and slope are key to success.
Water supply – A regular water supply is necessary to keep the pond full.
Spillway – Removing excess water out of the pond is just as important as keeping the pond full.
After the pond is constructed, maintenance is essential to ensure a healthy functioning farm pond. Farm pond maintenance includes monitoring water quality, oxygen levels, fertilization, stocking and managing fish populations, weed control, and much more. Many of these issues are addressed in a publication produced by the LSU AgCenter; Sea Grant-Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; and Sport Fish Restoration—Management of Recreational and Farm Ponds in Louisiana. This publication can be found at: https://freshwater-aquaculture.extension.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ManagementRecFarmPondsLouisiana.pdf.
If you are interested in constructing a pond on your farm or you have issues with the farm pond you currently have, contact your local office of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). NRCS is available to provide technical and financial assistance to help with pond site selection, design, construction, and maintenance.
If you are interested in seeing first-hand how to manage your farm pond, attend a Trailblazer RC&D Pond Construction and Maintenance Workshop. These workshops are scheduled throughout the year. Check our online event schedule at: www.trailblazer.org/events/
May 14, 2021, Farm Pond Construction and Management Workshop, Haughton, Louisiana Caroline Simmons caught this 1.5 pound bass in Red Oak Lake farm pond. This pond has been featured many times during Trailblazer field days. Way to go Caroline!
The ecosystem of a farm pond is very diverse.
A farm pond provides a habitat for many plant and animal species. The aquatic plants help maintain water quality, temperature, and oxygen levels; reduce bank erosion; and provide food, spawning grounds, and escape cover for wildlife. Logs can provide basking and sunning opportunities for amphibians and turtles; egg-laying sites for fish, frogs, and salamanders; shelter for fish; and perches for birds. Deeper pond areas provide habitat for fish. Islands in the pond can provide nesting and resting areas for waterfowl. Vegetated buffer areas provide nesting and cover for wildlife.
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.
Blueberry picking with grandchildren makes delicious memories!
Looking for Something NEW to do This Summer?
Blueberry bush, ready for picking!
You don’t have to look far. There are great opportunities for you and your family right here in north Louisiana! Farmers and ag producers are opening up their farms and businesses to give you a unique opportunity to visit rural Louisiana, learn, and have fun!
So, when the kids say they are bored . . . load them up in the car and visit a farm. Adventure awaits right around the corner. Check out these local spots:
Cypress Nature Study Center – Benton, Louisiana Features fishing, swimming, 4.5 miles of trails, a picnic area, petting zoo and a comprehensive nature center.
Keachi Acres – Keachi, Louisiana Features 200 acres of woodlands and hay meadows, fishing, hiking, gardening, swimming, and canoeing.
Landry Vineyards – West Monroe, Louisiana Features tasting room and beautiful hillside vineyards.
Louisiana Herbs – Columbia, Louisiana Features pick-your-own mint, basil, and other culinary herbs; and buy plants on historic Breston Plantation.
McCain’s Family Farm, LLC – Ringgold, Louisiana Features five-acre, pick-your-own blueberry farm.
Mitcham Farms Peach Store – Ruston, Louisiana Features peaches and peach products at the largest peach orchard in Louisiana.
McKinney Hill Farm – Hosston, Louisiana Features pick-your-own blueberries, blackberries, purple hull peas, and tomatoes.
AGRITOURISM is a business venture on a working farm, ranch or agricultural enterprise that offers educational and fun experiences for visitors while generating supplemental income for the owner.
WORKSHOPS Trailblazer RC&D offers workshops throughout the summer on a variety of subjects. Check out our workshop schedule on our webpage at: www.trailblazer.org/events and register your family to attend!
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.
