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Prairie Grains is the
official publication of
the Minnesota
Association of
Wheat Growers,
North Dakota Grain
Growers Association,
South Dakota Wheat,
Inc., and the
Minnesota Barley
Growers Association.

The 18th sign-up for the Conservation Reserve Program, which runs from Oct. 26 through Dec. 11, again includes an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that evaluates CRP bids based on seven factors: soil erosion; wildlife habitat; water quality; air quality; enduring benefits; conservation priority areas; and cost. Included in the CRP priority area this sign-up are all or parts of nine Minnesota counties: eastern Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, and parts of Beltrami, Clearwater, Stearns, and Todd.

Consult with your local National Resources Conservation Service office on how to maximize EBI points, and increase the likelihood that acreage will be accepted. Approximately 30.5 million acres are under CRP contracts as of Oct. 1, 1998. Just over 3.6 million acres are under contracts that expire next year on September 30. USDA is authorized to maintain enrollment of up to 36.4 million acres.

NAWG Wheat Conference Feb 3-6 in Nashville

Center your vacation around the National Association of Wheat Growers’ Wheat Industry Conference and Exposition, February 3-6, 1999, in Nashville, Tenn. Featured guests include humorist speakers Jolene Brown and Dr. Carl Hurley; ag marketing expert Randy Allen; and futurist Bob Treadway. In addition to gaining insight in the wheat industry, there will be plenty of family time to see the sights and sounds of Opryland. For more information, contact the NAWG at 202-547-7800, or your state wheat association (see Prairie Grains table of contents for contact information).

U.S. CONSERVATION CHIEF VISITS ND

Pearlie Reed, Chief of the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service (center in photo), visited North Dakota this fall to gain a better understanding on conservation issues from a producer perspective. Reed’s visit was coordinated by the North Dakota Grain Growers Association and the National Association of Wheat Growers. Among conservation objectives sought by the wheat grower organizations is a mitigation banking pilot program for mitigating wetlands with lower-valued farmland.

"USDA Secretary Dan Glickman was given authority in the farm bill to go forward with pilot programs so that farmers would have additional wetlands management tools made available to them," says Margie Williams, who tracks environmental issues and is senior vice president of the NAWG.

$1,000 Monsanto grant for wheat farmers age 20-35

Monsanto and the NAWG Foundation are offering a limited number of $1,000 grants to wheat producers between the ages of 20 and 35. The grants may be applied toward attending the NAWG Conference in Nashville Feb. 3-6, or the summer conference in Breckenridge, Colo., next year. The purpose of the grants is to acquaint younger growers with the educational aspects of the wheat organization. Producers who have previously attended a national NAWG conference are not eligible.

Eligible producers will need to fill out a short application form and submit at least one letter of recommendation from a county extension agent, FFA instructor, or Monsanto product distributor in support of the applicant’s qualifications. Application deadline is Dec. 9. Contact your state wheat association for application information.

Kids! Enter farm safety poster contest

Kids between the ages of 5 through 12 are encouraged to enter a farm safety poster contest sponsored by Communicating for Agriculture. Winning artists will receive savings bonds valued at $400, $250, and $150 for first, second, and third place respectively. Posters will be exhibited at the NAWG Conference in Nashville, and the first place winner’s poster will be featured in CA’s "Highlights" publication, and placed on permanent display at the NAWG headquarters in Washington, D.C. Deadline to enter is Dec. 18. For more information, contact your state wheat association or June Silverberg at the NAWG, ph. 202-547-7800.

NDGGA names Berndt office manager

The North Dakota Grain Growers Association has named Shannon Berndt as office manager. Before joining the NDGGA staff, the Pollock, SD native had worked for the ND Farm Bureau and before that, ND Workmen’s Compensation Bureau.