Assisting farmers and landowners to protect one of their most valuable resources has been the cornerstone of the Conservation District’s Ag Resource Program since its inception.  Saving topsoil and managing nutrient run-off to protect water quality continues to be the focus of our efforts.  These preservation efforts benefit farmers as well as all county residents. 

Conservation planning plays a major role in the water quality of our local streams & rivers.  Because of the far-reaching effects of local farm practices, our farmers are being asked to develop and implement conservation and nutrient management plans and install Best Management Practices (BMPs), and they look to the Conservation District and our U.S.D.A. partners to assist them in this effort.  

A conservation plan determines what problems need to be addressed and what to do to fix the problems, commonly referred to as Best Management Practices (BMPs).  Installing BMPs keeps nutrients where they belong, control soil erosion, improve animal health, improve local water quality.

BMPs are specialized practices designed to control soil erosion, manure and nutrient runoff, store animal wastes, establish vegetation, and manage the application of animal waste and fertilizer.  The conservation plan for your farm will include some combination of practices that address your particular situation. 

Common practices include:

Permanent Vegetative Cover

Conservation Tillage/No-till

Cover Crops

Animal Waste Management

Contour Farming/Stripcropping

Waste Management System

Diversion

Streambank Protection or Fencing

Terraces

Nutrient Management Planning

Grassed Waterway

Soil and Manure Analysis

Grazing Lands/Pasture Management

There are New Chapter 102 Regulations Affecting Agriculture.

E&S Plans are now required for animal heavy use areas over 5,000 square feet. 

DEP defines "animal heavy use areas" as: barnyards, feedlots, loafing areas, exercise lots, or other similar areas on an agricultural operation where it is not possible to establish and maintain vegetative cover of a density capable of minimizing accelerated erosion and sedimentation by usual planting methods.  The term does not include entrances, pathways and walkways between areas where animals are housed or kept in concentration.