Congratulations Mark and Janora Crow: 2026 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
The Florida Tree Farm Program proudly recognizes Mark and Janora Crow as the 2026 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, honoring more than six decades of exemplary forest stewardship, sustainable land management, and an unwavering commitment to preserving Florida’s working forests for future generations.
For the Crow family, forestry is far more than an occupation—it is a way of life and a legacy that now spans four generations. Learn more about Mark and Janora Crow: 2026 Jon Gould Florida Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.
University of Florida Seeking Newly Planted Loblolly Pine Sites Impacted by Drought
Do you have newly planted loblolly pine trees and think they may have suffered higher than usual mortality this year? The University of Florida IFAS is investigating the survival of loblolly pines planted during the 2025-2026 drought. If you have land in Florida, Georgia, or Alabama, and would be willing to grant us access, we will provide you (free of charge) with measurements of survival on pine seedlings planted during this most recent season; soil nutrient and moisture availability estimates; and assessment of factors that might have affected your seedling survival.
The goal is to provide forest landowners and managers with predictions of pine tree survival under different drought and management conditions. If interested, please email Dr. Jason Vogel, jvogel@ufl.edu. Learn more about this UF/IFAS Drought Rapid Response Project here.
Apply for the Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program
Apply by October 9, 2026
Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program through October 9. The program includes 44 northern Florida counties – the known range of the southern pine beetle.
This program provides incentive payments for landowners who have overstocked pine stands and need to conduct a first thinning. In addition, it offers partial cost reimbursement for activities that can mitigate southern pine beetle activity, such as prescribed burning, mechanical underbrush treatments, and the planting of longleaf or slash pine rather than loblolly pine, the beetle’s preferred species. All qualifying applications received during the submission period will be evaluated and ranked for approval.
For more details and the application, see the Florida Forest Service Southern Pine Beetle Assistance and Prevention Program web page.
Watch the Bugs on Trees? video on MyFLForest.Land to learn more about pine beetles and the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention and Assistance Program.
Financial Assistance Available to North Central Florida Landowners through the Surface to Springs and Forest to Gulf Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPPs)
Apply by September 30, 2026
North Florida landowners interested habitat management and conservation can apply for conservation easements and land management financial assistance opportunities in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Alachua Conservation Trust (ACT). Applications are due by September 30, 2026.
Landowners in the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Gilchrist, Hernando, Lafayette, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, and Union are eligible to apply.
These projects target conservation funding and resources to protect wildlife habitat, surface and ground water, and working forests and grasslands. Financial assistance is available to implement prescribed fire, forest thinning, rotational grazing, wildlife habitat improvement, cover crop planting, and stream and shoreline protection, among others.
If you are interested in pursuing these funding and conservation opportunities, contact Suzy Koehler, ACT RCPP Coordinator, skoehler@alachuaconservationtrust.org, 352-373-1078
George Johnson, ACT RCPP Conservation Practice Specialist, geroge@alachuaconcservationtrust.org 352-373-1089
Michael Ruiz, NRCS RCPP Coordinator, michael.ruiz@usda.gov, (352) 477-0891.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Financial Assistance Opportunities through Environmental Quality Incentives and Conservation Stewardship Programs
Apply by October 30, 2026
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida announces Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) financial assistance opportunities for agricultural producers and forestry operations through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
EQIP helps agricultural producers and non-industrial forest landowners plan and implement conservation practices that integrate conservation into working lands and improve environmental quality and habitat. More details about EQIP here.
CSP builds on this foundation by supporting whole farm stewardship, helping producers maintain existing conservation systems and adopt additional long-term enhancements across their entire operation to improve natural resources and overall agricultural performance. More details about CSP here.
Applications are available at your local USDA Service Center or online at the Get Started with NRCS web page. Applications for this funding cycle will be accepted until October 30, 2026.
Deadline Extended for Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program Applications
Apply by January 1, 2027
Florida’s agricultural producers have faced significant losses due to recent hurricanes including damage to structures, crops, and long-term productive assets. This program, developed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), will provide financial support to help producers rebuild, restore operations, and return to full production. If your operation experienced damage or loss during the 2023 or 2024 hurricane seasons, you may be eligible for assistance. The deadline to apply has been extended to January 1, 2027. Learn more and check your eligibility at the FDACS Florida Block Grant web site.
New Florida Land Steward Program Video Released!
Have land? Get a plan and stay connected. Check out our short new video about the Florida Land Steward Program. Share with neighbors, friends, family, colleagues that might be interested. Watch and share the new Florida Land Steward Program video.
Got Livestock? Participate in the Florida Rancher Survey
Kayley Winter, a graduate student at Florida Gulf Coast University, is conducting an independent study on how Florida ranchers navigate development, economic, and family succession pressures. She’s seeking quality data behind the real challenges this community faces every day. The survey is for landowners with a livestock operation on their property, is completely voluntary, and will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Please participate if you can. Access the Florida Ranch Survey here.
Forest Health Module in the UF Online Forest Landowner Academy
The UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences extension team is excited to announce the launch of a Forest Health Module in the Online Forest Landowner Academy. Those already enrolled in the course have full access to the new module.
For more details on the new content and instructors, see the recent blog post about the Forest Health Module here.
Here’s the direct link to enroll or access the course if you are already enrolled:
https://ifas-sfrc-for.catalog.instructure.com/courses/for-fla.
As always, questions about the course can be directed to Chris Demers, cdemers@ufl.edu, (352) 846-2375.
Have Land? Get a Plan and Stay Connected!
Don’t miss out on news and events! Sign up for the regular email updates! Send an email to the Florida Land Steward Program manager at fls@ifas.ufl.edu to be added to the email listserv. Florida Land Steward email updates are sent once a week or every other week and include the latest calendar of workshops, tours and other events; a link to the current issue of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter; updates on cost-share and other assistance programs, opportunities, and resources; and other stewardship related news and information.
More News, Events, and Opportunities
See our Florida Land Steward Events Calendar and News page for upcoming events and ongoing programs, initiatives, and opportunities.
Access the Quarterly Florida Land Steward Newsletter Online
Access the current and back issues of the quarterly Florida Land Steward newsletter here.
Have an Event or Related News to Share?
Drop a line with the details and link(s) to the Florida Land Steward Program manager at fls@ifas.ufl.edu.
Consider a Gift in Support of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program
The mission of the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program is to help and encourage private landowners to actively manage their land resources for long-term environmental, economic, and social benefits. This program is largely supported by partners and donors. If this program has made a difference in your land stewardship efforts, please consider a gift. Support the UF/IFAS Florida Land Steward Program here. Thanks!
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