Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge Cooperative Agriculture Opportunities 2023

Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Sumner, Missouri, has cooperative agriculture opportunities for farming on soybean fields totaling 673 acres for up to five years.

To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the bid form available on the refuge website. Applications must be received by November 9, 2023. Applications may be submitted by email to steve_whitson@fws.gov or in person at Swan Lake NWR 16194 Swan Lake Ave, Sumner, MO, 64681.

Successful applicants will be selected through an open and competitive process. Applications will be scored and ranked using the objective criteria described in the bid form. All applicants will be notified by November 17, 2023.

For more information, please contact Refuge Manager Steve Whitson at steve_whitson@fws.gov.

Sealed Farming Bids 2023

Instructions:

1. Complete Bid Sheet
2. Complete 1^st Page of Special Use Permit Application and sign and date the back page.
3. Place Bid Sheet and Special Use Permit Application in envelope and seal.
4. Return sealed envelope to Swan Lake Headquarters by Thursday November 9 at 4:00 PM.

If bid sheet is not completed correctly and clearly legible, Special Use Permit Application page 1 not completed and not signed on back page, and envelope not sealed the bid will not be considered.

Farming Cooperator Bid Solicitation

Bid Package 1 - Dove Units

1. Unit Description 

Dove Units

Note: Soil composition data represent estimates based on data from the USDA’s Web Soil Survey.

Dove Unit 2

Note: Soil composition data represent estimates based on data from the USDA’s Web Soil Survey.

2. Cropping Plan

3. Special Conditions

A. General Conditions

1. Each year’s payment will only be for acres of units in which soybeans are scheduled to be planted and harvested, the other units will not be calculated in the year’s price. This is the price you will pay each year for acres farmed.
2. Monetary Bids will be on a per acre basis. Bidders will need to determine what they are willing to pay per acre farmed including in-kind services for each year’s cropping plan. Your bid is the price you will pay each year for acres farmed. A committee of 1-2 refuge staff, an NRCS representative, and an MDC reprehensive will determine who is awarded the bid based on the criteria in Section 3.A.1 of this bid package. Winning bidder will be determined based on the following criteria: 
   • Bid price per acre
   • Experience cost share cropping or farming public land
   • Adequate equipment and labor resources
   • Experience farming with the type of crops in cropping plan
3. Bids will be valid for a 5 year period with a Special Use Permit issued in Year 1 (2024) and renewed annually for the four subsequent years (2025-2028).  If the Permittee does not want to honor the bid in years 2-5, the Unit will be given to the next highest bidder in this bid cycle or rebid at the discretion of the Service.  If it is re-bid the original cooperator will not be allowed to bid at that time. 
4. Once a bid is accepted, 80% of estimated payment must be made each year upon the issuance of the Special Use Permit no later than March 1.  The final payment must be made by the due date identified in the final bill that is issued to the permittee.
5. Bids should account for any In-Kind service required.  Please factor in your cost for any In-Kind services into your bid (See Section E for required In-Kind services).  No deductions will be made to your payment for In-Kind services
6.  What you bid is what you will pay for the acres you farm. 
7. Additional acreages may be added to bid packages upon agreement between the refuge manager and cooperator.
8. Plant and soil test may be conducted by the Service at any time to determine chemical applications that have been applied to ensure units are in compliance with approved permits.
9. Cooperators must have crops harvested by November 1 unless approved by the Refuge Manager.
10. Cash Payment for acres permitted to farm will be made to the Service regardless of weather or flooding issues or any other reason for crop loss.
11. Cooperator may enroll and participate in Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs.  Permittee must notify Refuge Manager if they are enrolling any Refuge crops into FSA programs.  The Refuge Manager will provide the Chariton County FSA Office a copy of Annual Special Use Permits.
12. Upon completion of the farming year, the Cooperator will receive a successful or unsuccessful rating from the Refuge Manager.  This determination will be made by utilizing the Farming Checklist and Evaluations form (Attached).  If the Cooperator receives an unsuccessful rating the units will be given to the next highest bidder from the bidding process or if nobody is still interested it will be rebid to a different Cooperator.  Cooperators may receive an unsuccessful rating for not complying with cropping plans, meeting planting and harvesting deadlines of specified crops, or other general conditions outlined in the farm plan

B. Seed Restrictions

1. All seed must be conventional seed, no Genetically Modified Glyphosate-tolerant Seeds. 
2. Seeds may not be treated with neonicotinoids.   Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. They are marketed and distributed in various forms including sprays, powders and seed treatments.  Trade names containing neonictinoids may include (but are not limited to) Acceleron®, Acetamiprid®, Actara®, Adage®, Adjust®, Admire®, Advantage®, Alpine®, Arena®,  Assail®, Belay®, Calypso®,  Celero®, Centric®,  Clutch®, Confidor®, Cruiser®, Dinotefuran®, Encore®, Flagship®, Gaucho®, Helix®, Inside®, Intruder®, Ledgend®, Merit®, Meridian®, Nipsit®, Platinum®, Poncho® , Pravado®, Premise®, Regent®, Safari®, Scorpion®,  Titan®, Touchstone ®, Tristar®,  and Venom®.   Active ingredients include: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nithiazine, sulfoxaflor, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam.

C. Pesticide/Herbicide Restrictions

1. See attached list (Attachment 5) for chemicals that will be available for approval through an Annual Pesticide Use Permit.  This list normally stays the same each year, but could be adapted due to Regional Herbicide Policy changes.
2. Pesticides/herbicide may not be applied until an approved Annual Pesticide Use Permit for the chemical has been received by the Cooperator.

D. Permitting Requirements

1. Before planting the Cooperator must have an approved Annual Special Use Permit for the year farmed.
2. Before applying any pesticides or herbicides the Cooperator must have an approved Annual Pesticide Use Permit for the year farmed.

E. In-Kind Services

No in kind services will be required for this option.

F. Reporting Requirements

1. Cooperators will be required to submit a Final Harvest Report at the end of the harvest season, which will include receipts for fertilization rates, receipts for seed type purchased and pesticide/herbicide applications including rates, times, and methods (A form will be provided for pesticide/herbicide treatments).
2. Seed labels must be submitted before any planting occurs by the Cooperator.
3. Pesticide/herbicide receipts must be submitted to Refuge Manager within 10 days after applying any chemicals.   Receipts must identify chemicals used, application methods, and application rates.
4. Upon completion of planting the units the cooperator will meet with the refuge manager within 5 business days to notify him in writing of the completion date of each field.
5. Upon completion of harvesting the units the cooperator will meet with the refuge manager within 5 business days to notify him in writing of the completion date of each field.

Dove Units downloadable map 

Farming Cooperator Bid Solicitation

Bid Package 2 - General Ag Fields

1. Package 2 Description

Unit 1 include agricultural tracks for long term farming.

Unit 2 includes agricultural tracts that are presently being farmed but will eventually be taken out of the farm program and restored to wetlands and prairie habitats.  These units will be restored sometime between 2025-2028

Unit 1 Long Term Ag Units

Note: Soil composition data represent estimates based on data from the USDA’s Web Soil Survey.

Unit 2 Restoration Units

Note: Soil composition data represent estimates based on data from the USDA’s Web Soil Survey.

2. Cropping Plan

3. Special Conditions

A. General Conditions

1. Monetary Bids will be on a per acre basis.  Bidders will need to determine what they are willing to pay per acre farmed including in-kind services for each year’s cropping plan. Your bid is the price you will pay each year for acres farmed.   Please remember to take into account any In-Kind services you will be required to do in your bid.  Winning bidder will be determined based on the following criteria: 
   • Bid price per acre
   • Experience cost share cropping or farming public land
   • Adequate equipment and labor resources
   • Experience farming with cover crops
2. A committee of 1-2 refuge staff, an NRCS representative, and an MDC reprehensive will determine who is awarded the bid based on the criteria in Section 3.A.1 of this bid package.
3. Bids will be valid for a 5 year period with a Special Use Permit issued in Year 1 (2024) and renewed annually for the two subsequent years (2025-28).  If the Permittee does not want to honor the bid in years 2 thru 5, the Unit will be given to the next highest bidder in this bid cycle or rebid at the discretion of the Service.  If it is re-bid the original cooperator will not be allowed to bid at that time.  
4. Once a bid is accepted, 80% of estimated payment must be made each year upon the issuance of the Special Use Permit no later than March 1.  The final payment must be made by the due date identified in the final bill that is issued to the permittee.
5. Bids should account for any In-Kind service required.  Please factor in your cost for any In-Kind services into your bid (See Section E for required In-Kind services).  No deductions will be made to your payment for In-Kind services
6.  What you bid is what you will pay for the acres you farm. 
7. Additional acreages may be added to bid packages upon agreement between the refuge manager and cooperator.
8. Plant and soil test may be conducted by the Service at any time to determine chemical applications that have been applied to ensure units are in compliance with approved permits.
9. Cooperators must have crops harvested by November 1 unless approved by the Refuge Manager.
10. Cash Payment for acres permitted to farm will be made to the Service regardless of weather or flooding issues.
11. Cooperator may enroll and participate in Farm Service Agency (FSA) programs.  Permittee must notify Refuge Manager if they are enrolling any Refuge crops into FSA programs.  The Refuge Manager will provide the Chariton County FSA Office a copy of Annual Special Use Permits.
12. Upon completion of the farming year, the Cooperator will receive a successful or unsuccessful rating from the Refuge Manager.  This determination will be made by utilizing the Farming Checklist and Evaluations form (Attached).  If the Cooperator receives an unsuccessful rating the units will be given to the next highest bidder from the bidding process or if nobody is still interested it will be rebid to a different Cooperator.  Cooperators may receive an unsuccessful rating for not complying with cropping plans, meeting planting and harvesting deadlines of specified crops, or other general conditions outlined in the farm plan.

B. Seed Restrictions

1. All seed must be conventional seed, no Genetically Modified Glyphosate-tolerant Seeds. 
2. Seeds may not be treated with neonicotinoids.   Neonicotinoids are a class of insecticides chemically similar to nicotine. They are marketed and distributed in various forms including sprays, powders and seed treatments.  Trade names containing neonictinoids may include (but are not limited to) Acceleron®, Acetamiprid®, Actara®, Adage®, Adjust®, Admire®, Advantage®, Alpine®, Arena®,  Assail®, Belay®, Calypso®,  Celero®, Centric®,  Clutch®, Confidor®, Cruiser®, Dinotefuran®, Encore®, Flagship®, Gaucho®, Helix®, Inside®, Intruder®, Ledgend®, Merit®, Meridian®, Nipsit®, Platinum®, Poncho® , Pravado®, Premise®, Regent®, Safari®, Scorpion®,  Titan®, Touchstone ®, Tristar®,  and Venom®.   Active ingredients include: acetamiprid, clothianidin, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, nithiazine, sulfoxaflor, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam.

C. Pesticide/Herbicide Restrictions

1. See attached list(Attachment 5) for chemicals that will be available for approval through an Annual Pesticide Use Permit. This list normally stays the same each year, but could be adapted due to Regional Herbicide Policy changes.
2. Pesticides/herbicide may not be applied until an approved Annual Pesticide Use Permit for the chemical has been received by the Cooperator.

D. Permitting Requirements

1. Before planting the Cooperator must have an approved Annual Special Use Permit for the year farmed.
2. Before applying any pesticides or herbicides the Cooperator must have an approved Annual Pesticide Use Permit for the year farmed.

E. In-Kind Services

Cooperator will mow 8’ along both sides of 14 miles of refuge roadways identified on the attached map for mowing. Cooperator will mow these roadsides, once each month in the months of June, July, August, and September. These roadsides provide access to refuge farm fields and general farming operations by staff and permittee.

F. Reporting Requirements

1. Cooperators will be required to submit a Final Harvest Report at the end of the harvest season, which will include receipts for fertilization rates, receipts for seed type purchased and pesticide/herbicide applications including rates, times, and methods (A form will be provided for pesticide/herbicide treatments).
2. Seed labels must be submitted before any planting occurs by the Cooperator.
3. Pesticide/herbicide receipts must be submitted to Refuge Manager within 10 days after applying any chemicals.   Receipts must identify chemicals used, application methods, and application rates.
4. Upon completion of planting the units the cooperator will meet with the refuge manager within 5 business days to notify him in writing of the completion date of each field.

Bid Package 2 Maps