working to improve water quality. accelerating riparian buffer adoption to enhance water quality and...
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Accelerating Riparian Buffer Accelerating Riparian Buffer Adoption to Enhance Water Adoption to Enhance Water Quality and Farm IncomeQuality and Farm Income
Accelerating Riparian Buffer Accelerating Riparian Buffer Adoption to Enhance Water Adoption to Enhance Water Quality and Farm IncomeQuality and Farm Income
USDA-CSREES Extension Education USDA-CSREES Extension Education project funded in 2000project funded in 2000
Three component approachThree component approach
• Multi-faceted educational program• Demonstration sites• Peer-based outreach program
Peer-based Outreach ProgramPeer-based Outreach Program• “FarmLink” - farmers or other rural leaders
individually contact farmers and landowners to promote buffer adoption
FarmLink Advisor Selection CriteriaFarmLink Advisor Selection Criteria
• Local farmer/landowner Local farmer/landowner (possibly semi-retired)(possibly semi-retired)
• Well-respected, recognized as a leaderWell-respected, recognized as a leader• Strong conservation ethicStrong conservation ethic• Good communicator Good communicator • Motivated, positive attitude, out-goingMotivated, positive attitude, out-going• Well-kept farmsteadWell-kept farmstead• 4 individuals selected4 individuals selected
Shell Creek FarmLink ProgramShell Creek FarmLink Program• Some Accomplishments/Impacts• 42 individuals contacted by advisors• 28 signed intent form• 15 contracts executed• 61.3 ac. of conservation buffers• ~20 ac. of grassed waterways• control runoff from ~225 ac.• ~41 ac. of stream-side buffers• filter runoff from ~2000 ac.• protect 12,200 ft. of streambank
• >$73,800 payments over life of contracts
Shell Creek FarmLink ProgramShell Creek FarmLink Program• Additional Accomplishments/Impacts• One advisor also installed 10.4 ac. of buffers• 1.1 ac. grassed waterway• control runoff from >30 ac.• 4.3 ac. streamside buffer• filter runoff from ~200 ac.• protect 5,282 ft. of streambank• 5 ac. of cropland planted to grass• erosion reduced ~20 tons per year• wildlife habitat established• >$10,000 payments over life of contract
Accelerating Conservation Accelerating Conservation Practice Adoption to Enhance Practice Adoption to Enhance Water Quality Water Quality
Sponsored by the PrairieLand RC&D Council (Shell Creek) and Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (Duck Creek) with funding provided via the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality utilizing EPA Clean Water Act, Section 319 dollars
David P. SheltonDavid P. SheltonProfessor Biological Systems EngineeringProfessor Biological Systems Engineering
and Extension Agricultural Engineerand Extension Agricultural Engineer
Rod WilkeRod WilkeExtension Project CoordinatorExtension Project Coordinator
Current Priority Areas with additional conservation-practice funding
SHELL CREEK WATERSHED (Including Loseke / Taylor Watershed)
ObjectiveObjectiveEnhance water quality by increasing Enhance water quality by increasing the adoption of conservation buffers the adoption of conservation buffers and other best management practicesand other best management practices
PracticesPractices
• Continuous No-till Continuous No-till • Conservation BuffersConservation Buffers• Nutrient ManagementNutrient Management• Onsite Waste Water Treatment SystemsOnsite Waste Water Treatment Systems• Decommissioning Out-of-Service WellsDecommissioning Out-of-Service Wells
Duck Creek WatershedWater-Quality-Improvement
Phase I Accomplishments Accomplishments
•Twenty Nine (29) EQIP applications
•Twenty Four (24) NSWCP applications
•Nearly 700 Acres of No-till
• ~ $207,000 for dirt work (terraces, tile, basins)(29 producers)
•Three wells sealed
•Three septic system upgrades