TREE TALK – Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops

SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Jan. 31, 2013

Media Contact: John Hinners, 605.353.7187

TREE TALK – Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops

PIERRE, S.D. - The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) will host informative Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops in February throughout northwestern South Dakota.

The free workshops will provide information about how to evaluate shelterbelts and plan improvements. Examples will be presented on shelterbelt renovation involving replacement, release and/or removal of selected trees and shrubs or rows, adding rows, removing branches, etc.

“Shelterbelt trees and shrubs face hard growing conditions in western South Dakota,” says John Hinners, SDDA agro-forester. “Weather events that damage and kill trees include drastic temperature drops, snow load, high winds and drought. Lack of maintenance and livestock also can damage or ruin shelterbelts.”

A list of dates, times and locations for the workshops: (all times Mountain Standard)

Date             Time                      Venue                                                  Town

Feb. 12         1 p.m.                     Harding Co. Rec. Center              Buffalo, SD

Feb. 12         6 p.m.                     Grand Electric Social Room         Bison, SD

Feb. 13         1 p.m.                     Harry’s Community Hall               Dupree, SD

Feb. 13         6 p.m.                     Community Legion Hall                Faith, SD

Feb. 14         1 p.m.                     Courthouse Comm. Mtg. Room    McIntosh, SD

Feb. 14         6 p.m.                     Community Center                      Timber Lake, SD

Producers who would like more information about attending one of the Shelterbelt Renovation Workshops should call their local conservation district: Corson County, 605-273-4506, Dewey County, 605-865-3552, Harding County, 605-375-3216, Perkins County, 605-244-7160, Tri-County, 605-967-2561, Ziebach County, 605-365-5185.

For questions for SDDA, contact John Hinners, SDDA agro-forester at 605-353-7187 by email at john.hinners@state.sd.us  , or Natural Resource Specialist Bob Drown at 605-244-5222, extension 4, or by email at robert.drown@sd.nacdnet.net

Agriculture is South Dakota's No. 1 industry, generating nearly $21 billion in annual economic activity and employing more than 80,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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