Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District

Cold and wind did not stop more than 400 Montgomery residents from picking up free tree seedlings last week at the Liberty Park.

photo credit: Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now

On Friday, March 10th, the City of Clarksville, Clarksville Tree Board, Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Montgomery County Master Gardeners Association came together to offer 2,300 free tree seedlings for the purpose of Montgomery’s beautification and conservation.

photo credit: Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now

The drive-thru event took place at Liberty Park and offered Native Sweet Pecans, Elderberry, Indigo bush, Sargent Crabapple, White Oak, Northern Red Oak, Flowering Dogwood, Swamp Chestnut Oak, Nutall oak, Chinkapin Oak, Cherrybark Oak, Mockernut Hickory, Shumard Oak, Persimmon, Virginia Christmas Pine, and Red Mulberry.

Increasing the tree canopy, improving biodiversity, rejuvenating the atmosphere through oxygenation, helping to curtail soil erosion, all while providing food sources for wildlife habitat are just a few of the important features these generational gifts provide for us.

photo credit: Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now

For more information on programs we offer to help in wildlife and forestry management, soil and water conservation, and future seedling giveaways, follow us on Facebook or signup for program announcement emails here.

Due extreme forecasted weather, this giveaway has been RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY, MARCH 10 – 9a to 12p. Please share!

In cooperation with the UT TSU Montgomery County Extension, Clarksville Tree Board and Clarksville Master Gardeners, we are proud to offer Montgomery residents tree seedlings in honor of Arbor Day! In person only, first come, first served basis.

Clarksville-Montgomery County Arbor Day-Free Seedlings  March 3rd, 2023

Time:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm (or until all trees are gone)

Location:  The drive-through event is open to the public and will take place at Liberty Park near the Freedom Point Building.

250 Marina Way, Clarksville, TN 37040

Directions:https://www.cityofclarksville.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Liberty-Park-Clarksville-Marina-36

*Once inside of Liberty Park, follow the signs to the boat dock. 

• Follow the signs toward the marina (keep right) and you will be greeted and directed by Master Gardeners, Tree Board Members, Montgomery Conservation District and other volunteers.
• You will be given a color coded sheet of paper with the tree names.
• Pick 5 species/family (you can mix and match species).
• Stay in your vehicle.
• Pull forward and a volunteer will take your color coded sheet and get your trees for you.

 The trees will also be painted to match the color coded sheet.  There will be approximately 2300 trees to be given away on a first come, first served basis.

NASHVILLE, February 10, 2023 – NRCS Tennessee State Conservationist Sheldon Hightower announced the fiscal year 2023 Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Classic application deadline. Tennessee agricultural producers who wish to be considered for funding this fiscal year should apply by Thursday, March 23, 2023. 

“Through CSP, NRCS helps farmers and ranchers earn payments for maintaining their current level of conservation across their entire operation,” said Hightower. “CSP also provides the opportunity for farm operators to expand their conservation activities by adopting new technologies and management techniques.”

CSP provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements, and increased resilience to weather extremes. The program is for working lands including cropland, pastureland, rangeland, nonindustrial private forestland, and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of a tribe. Farmsteads and other associated agricultural lands are also included. CSP also provides specific support for organic and transitioning to organic producers.

To be eligible, contract participants must meet Farm Bill Program eligibility in conjunction with the Farm Service Agency, which includes meeting the Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Compliance requirements and the Adjusted Gross Income limits.

Applicants must also:

• Control or own eligible land;
• Develop an NRCS CSP plan of operations;
• Provide a map(s) that identifies and delineates the boundaries of all eligible land uses and acres included in their operation; and
• Identify any ineligible land that is part of their operation.

While applications are accepted throughout the year, interested producers IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY should submit applications to this office by the deadline to ensure their operations are considered for FY 2023 funding.

For more information about the CSP program, contact our office at 931-368-0252 x 3.

You may also visit the NRCS Tennessee website here. 

USDA and the Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District are an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

The deadline for applications of the David Hinton Memorial Scholarship for students majoring in  Agriculture and related majors and attending (or will attend) Austin Peay State University, in ANY grade level, is June 1, 2023.  Applications and more information can be found on our educational information page.  Please direct all questions to Nancy Holt, NLHolt@mcgtn.net.