Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Conservation District announced a giveaway, photo contest and information about the 2016 CAIP Cost Share Monday. Read below for more information on each of the items.

Tree Seedling Giveaway

Our annual tree seedling giveaway will be on Thursday, March 31st at 9:00am.  We will also have special guests Christine Oelschlager and Matt Strong from KY Division of Forestry to help answer any questions you may have.  There will be a limit of 5 total hardwood seedlings per person while supplies last.  We will have Eastern Redbud, Wild Plum, Pecan, White Oak, Persimmon, and White Pine.

 2016 CAIP Cost Share

 The application period for CAIP will begin on Monday, April 4th and end on Friday, April 29th.  There are a wide variety of items and practices eligible for cost share – whether you have an interest in crops, livestock, or more diverse operations such as honey bees or horticulture/greenhouse crops.  If you have a question about what is eligible to cost share, all the information is on our website or simply just ask.  We will be able to accept eligible receipts up to September 2, 2015 or later if you have already completed a practice.  Cost share is 50% of your receipts with $2000 the most that you can receive.  All approved applicants will be required to attend one educational event such as the County Ag Field Day.

Also a something new for CAIP this year – NO CASH PURCHASES.  This is required by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board and is stated in the 2016 Producer Guidelines.

Earth Day Photo Contest (for middle school students)

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet invites student photographers in middle school (grades 6-8) to submit an original photograph for the “Capture the Earth” environmental photo contest.  The winner will receive two nights lodging at any Kentucky State Resort Park with his or her family.  Judges will look for originality and creativity, photo composition, and how well your photo represents Earth Day.

To enter – send the photo as an .jpeg attachment to [email protected] with the subject as “Student Earth Day Photo Contest”.  You will need to include student name, age, grade, parent/guardian address and phone number, school name, county, where and when photo was taken, and a paragraph on how the photo “celebrates the beauty and diversity of Kentucky and encourages others to care about the state’s environment through stewardship and conservation.”  The photo can be of a native wildflower, wildlife, a waterscape, a landscape, etc.  Deadline is Friday, April 8th at 4:30pm.