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Pheasants Forever farm‑bill biologist reports 22 CRP contracts, outreach and burn‑trailer plan for Todd County
Summary
Pheasants Forever farm‑bill biologist Riley (Trentina) Peterson reported 22 CRP contract applications accepted (21 accepted at the federal level so far) covering about 486 acres, outreach to landowners, training and a proposal to station a burn trailer at the NRCS office for local use.
Riley Peterson (now Riley Trentina) and Karen Dawson of Pheasants Forever gave the Todd County Board an update on the farm‑bill biologist program during the July 15 meeting, describing landowner outreach, program enrollments, and technical support activities for conservation on working lands.
Peterson said the first year in the county focused on relationship building with landowners and county and state partners, learning program rules (notably continuous changes to the Conservation Reserve Program) and conducting site visits. Highlights provided to the board:
- 22 CRP applications were submitted during the sign‑up window; 21 have been accepted at the federal level so far (roughly 486 acres covered to date). - About 75 new landowner contacts and more than 450 acres were assessed for conservation opportunities (CRP, easements and other federal programs). - Outreach included presenting at local events (a feedlot meeting and a Women in Ag conference) and coordinating with NRCS, SWCD and other partners. - Peterson and staff are working to provide a burn trailer (equipment and safety gear) that would be parked at the NRCS office and rented to local landowners for prescribed burns; the program would charge a nominal fee to cover insurance and administration.
Peterson emphasized that Pheasants Forever’s approach is to offer conservation options that complement agriculture rather than take land out of production unnecessarily; CRP offers incentives to landowners to retire low‑productivity ground and to restore soil health. She also noted Pheasants Forever’s national advocacy work in support of federal conservation programs that bring dollars into rural communities.
Ending: The biologist said the program will continue outreach and technical assistance in Todd County and that planned projects and tools such as the burn trailer aim to build local capacity for conservation practice implementation.
