Seed A Legacy Program:
Next Steps Guide
Thank you for your interest in the Seed A Legacy program.
In order to be approved, you must complete the following steps:
In order to be approved, you must complete the following steps:
1. LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PROGRAM:
Please watch the video above, read through our Habitat Establishment & Management Guide AND check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Q: I have some good existing habitat and just want to add seed to an existing site. Is that possible?
A: We do not provide seed mixtures for interseeding already existing sites. We prefer to work with a site that has been completely terminated - a blank slate you might say.
A: We do not provide seed mixtures for interseeding already existing sites. We prefer to work with a site that has been completely terminated - a blank slate you might say.
Q: My site is in existing grass, how do I proceed?
A: When sites are in existing grass cover, it is critically important that those sites have had the proper preparation to ensure the successful establishment of a pollinator mixture. Sites that unfortunately fall short of the landowners’ expectation most frequently include sites where the grasses have not been fully and completely terminated; the seed has not been planted with a technique used to increase the seed:soil contact, and finally; the site management does not include a follow-up management plan.
We want this planting to be the most successful that it can be to achieve the mission of creating more habitat for pollinators, and site preparation is one of the most important components to the long-term success of the planting. We require that you commit to the grasses being completely terminated when applying for our Seed a Legacy Program. Our Habitat Establishment & Management Guide outlines several ways in which this can happen. Typically, it takes one full growing season to terminate grasses if using an herbicide or cropping the site. If using a Natural Method of terminating the grasses (ie, repeated tilling or solarization), this generally takes between 3-4 growing seasons to terminate the existing grasses.
A: When sites are in existing grass cover, it is critically important that those sites have had the proper preparation to ensure the successful establishment of a pollinator mixture. Sites that unfortunately fall short of the landowners’ expectation most frequently include sites where the grasses have not been fully and completely terminated; the seed has not been planted with a technique used to increase the seed:soil contact, and finally; the site management does not include a follow-up management plan.
We want this planting to be the most successful that it can be to achieve the mission of creating more habitat for pollinators, and site preparation is one of the most important components to the long-term success of the planting. We require that you commit to the grasses being completely terminated when applying for our Seed a Legacy Program. Our Habitat Establishment & Management Guide outlines several ways in which this can happen. Typically, it takes one full growing season to terminate grasses if using an herbicide or cropping the site. If using a Natural Method of terminating the grasses (ie, repeated tilling or solarization), this generally takes between 3-4 growing seasons to terminate the existing grasses.
Q: I am entering into a USDA program; CRP, CSP, EQIP and want to use your seed. Is that possible?
A: Most USDA seed mixture guidelines do not meet our specifications. However, if they were to approve the use of our seed mixtures as they currently are for your state, we'd be happy to work with you on your new planting. We do not provide seed mixtures for interseeding already existing sites. We prefer to work with a site that has been completely terminated - a blank slate you might say. We're more than happy to provide seed for your new planting, but only if the USDA agrees to use our seed mixtures as-is.
If you're still interested, feel free to contact us, and we'll send you a copy of our seed mixes for you to take to the USDA office.
A: Most USDA seed mixture guidelines do not meet our specifications. However, if they were to approve the use of our seed mixtures as they currently are for your state, we'd be happy to work with you on your new planting. We do not provide seed mixtures for interseeding already existing sites. We prefer to work with a site that has been completely terminated - a blank slate you might say. We're more than happy to provide seed for your new planting, but only if the USDA agrees to use our seed mixtures as-is.
If you're still interested, feel free to contact us, and we'll send you a copy of our seed mixes for you to take to the USDA office.
Q: Is it okay to till my grass field this spring and plant in the fall of that same year?
A: This option is not successful in terminating the grasses. If you want to use a Natural Method of site prep including tillage to reduce grasses and weeds, it will take a minimum of 3 full growing seasons and likely 4 full growing seasons until you are ready to plant. During that time frame, no grass or weeds can be allowed to grow on the site.
A: This option is not successful in terminating the grasses. If you want to use a Natural Method of site prep including tillage to reduce grasses and weeds, it will take a minimum of 3 full growing seasons and likely 4 full growing seasons until you are ready to plant. During that time frame, no grass or weeds can be allowed to grow on the site.
2. DECIDE ON SITE PREP + TAKE PHOTOS:
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Determine the site prep method you plan to implement AND take photos of the land in its current state.
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3. COLLECT COORDINATES + CREATE SHAPE FILE:
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Find and record your GPS Coordinates AND create a 'shape file' photo of your land.
*You will be required to provide this information in the pre-approval application form.
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4. APPLY
Once you've completed ALL THREE of the steps above, please click the button below to fill out your pre-approval application.
- NOTE: With your application, you will be required to submit your GPS coordinates, the shape file link and a photo of the land in its current state.
What's Next?
- After completing the steps above and filling out the pre-approval application, you will receive a notification via email within 2 weeks on the status of your application.
- If your pre-approval application has been accepted, you will then be asked to schedule a 1-on-1 virtual interview with one of our biologists.
- If you've been accepted after the interview and haven't already done so, you may begin to prep your site.
- Once your site prep is completed, you will receive an official contract to sign.
- Once contract is signed, the seed will be sent to you. You will want to plant the seed in the fall/winter prior to February 15th.
- Once seed has been planted, first year maintenance is critical. You will receive a link to our Seed A Legacy Cooperator Portal with more information.
If you have any questions, please CONTACT US and we'll get back to you as soon as possible (include your full name and location of the project). Due to the high amount of interest and applications, please complete the LEARN section above first to make sure your questions weren't already answered.
We look forward to working with you to help save pollinators and to provide multiple environmental benefits! Your project moves us closer to changing the landscape as we know it.
