RESPONSE:

Thanks for writing, Kyle!

Sounds like we have a lot in common. There's also an organization in Alberta, Canada, that takes a similar approach. Just had an opportunity to meet with them in January at a first-ever provincial land use conference in Edmonton. They have an excellent web site at http://www.landstewardship.org/frameset.htm. The Executive Director is Ernie Ewaschuk (lscewaschuk@compusmart.ab.ca).

Also have been working with Brad Crabtree in North Dakota, who brought together a group to deal with flood control issues in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada. His group came up with a very similar approach as we did -- and, apparently, as you have done (except you have gone beyond concept and are actually doing productive work on the ground!) Details about the Farmland Stewardship Initiative and be found on our web site at http://privatelands.org/farmland_stewardship_initiative.htm

I mention these two contacts because I am finding that the concepts contained in the Farmland Stewardship Program have connections with groups in several states and in Canada -- and the more we know about each other, the better.

From your email, it appears that you already are doing much of the "program assembly" and "tailoring of existing programs to local needs" that the FSP is designed to facilitate.

As you note "... we see a substantial increase in farming efficiency, farming productivity, farming profitability, water quality, wildlife enhancement and local economy and community. It works great!" That's been our experience in the projects we've conducted.

From your description, it sounds like the Farmland Stewardship Program can do 4 things-- 

1) make your job of program assembly easier by providing you with more resources to draw on; 

2) provide you with technical assistance funding to work with landowners to assemble programs together to fit the specific needs and opportunities available on individual parcels of property -- and the differing degrees of willingness found among landowners to participate in these programs; 

3) allow you to fit existing programs to local needs by creating a formal process through which existing programs can be adapted, and exceptions to policies and regulations that do not make sense can be changed, through a petition to the head of the agency that administers the program; and 

4) give you official designation as a "contracting agency" or 3rd party vendor to perform these services on behalf of the USDA.

Latest language for the FSP, which will be considered in conference committee, is posted at http://privatelands.org/sec256_conference_bill.htm

I look forward to further contact.

All the best,

Craig Evans
President
Florida Stewardship Foundation
621 NW 53rd Street, Suite 240
Boca Raton, FL 33487
Phone - 561-995-1474
FAX - 561- 995-1475

Cell phone (best way to reach me) 561-289-9690
Email - craig@privatelands.org
Web sites - www.privatelands.org 
www.us-farm.com 
www.fl-stewardship.com