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March 10, 2010
Charlotte County ranchers can learn how to use soil testing to more effectively fertilize pastures through a Community Education Grant from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
The Range Cattle Research and Education Center received a $5,000 grant to offer free soil and tissue testing and educational materials to regional beef and forage producers. Reductions in the amount of fertilizer applied to pastures could decrease pollution of surface and groundwater resources in ecologically sensitive areas in west-central Florida. If you are a rancher who would like to participate in the project, please contact Reyna Speckman, range cattle station Extension specialist, at (863) 735-1314.
Funding for the project is provided by the District’s Alafia River, Manasota and Peace River basin boards. The Alafia River Basin includes the southern half of Hillsborough County and the southwestern portion of Polk County. The Manasota Basin includes Manatee and Sarasota counties. The Peace River Basin includes portions of Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties.
The overall goal of the Community Education Grant Program is to actively engage adults in water-related issues pertaining to conservation, protection and preservation. Funded by the District’s Basin Boards, the program is intended to motivate communities to get involved in watershed protection through various educational activities. These grants offer up to $5,000 to help fund projects that provide communities an opportunity to learn about water resources.
This year the District awarded 35 grants Districtwide for a total of $144,052. This is the 13th year Community Education Grants have been available.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s 2011 Community Education Grant program will begin its application process in June 2010. For more information, please call the District’s Communications Department at 1-800-423-1476 or (352) 796-7211, ext. 4757.
