Tile DrainsSocial Perception Subgroup

Project Team: Mackenzie Hart, Laura Principato, Sara Halm, Diana Biggs

Problem statementAgricultural tile drains are a

widely used method of converting wet fields to arable land through subsurface pipes that ultimately discharge into waterways, which may have damaging ecological effects. To address this potential issue an analysis of the attitudes and perceptions of farmers about the use of tile drains is needed.

Methods- Research tile drain use in Chittenden County

- Identified farmers with and without tile drains

- Formulate questions; identify farmer priorities

- Interview farms- at their location/ farmers market

- Compiled interview responses

- Determine current social impressions and repercussions of tile drains

Image from Farmers Market

(Full Moon Farm)

Survey Questions

Tile Drain Owner

1. How long have you have you had a Tile Drainage system?2. How long were you considering tile drains before they were installed?*3. What did you know about tile drains before you decided install them?*4. Why did you ultimately decide to install tile drains?*5. What resources did you use to learn more about tile drains?6. How was the drainage system installed?7. What are the benefits of this drainage system?*8. Are there any drawbacks to using tile drains?*9. Do you take any precautions to minimize sediment, nutrient and/or chemical flow from

drainage pipe?*10. Are you aware of any alternative methods that achieve a similar result to a tile drainage

system?*

Interviewing at the Farmers Market

Tile Drain Free Farms1. Have you considered installing tile drains? (Why/Why not)

2. Do you think you would benefit from using a tile drainage system?

3. Do you think there are any drawbacks to using tile drains?

4. Are you aware of any alternative methods that achieve a similar result to a tile drainage system?

Ranking Questions- administer to all farms

(a) Rank threats to water quality from most important to least important· Sediment· Urban runoff· Pesticide and herbicide use· Nutrient loading (manure, fertilizers)

(b) Practices they believe are most effective at addressing those threats (rank)· Buffers· Stream bank stabilization· Nutrient Management· Wetland Preservation

(c) Which of these practices they would be interested in learning more about (rank)· Buffers· Stream bank stabilization· Nutrient Management

· Wetland Preservation

Farmer feedback: David Zuckerman suggested to use continuous scale

Findings: Farm Responses

Full Moon Farm: David Zuckerman

Jericho Settlers Farm

Unity Farm

Adam’s Berry Farm

Tamarack Hollow Farm: Amanda Andrews

Discussion/ Recommendations● The impact is determined by several factors specific to the land and management practices of the

farm.

○ Land factors

○ Management practices

● It is ineffective to draw a definite conclusion.

○ guidelines

○ resources for best management practices.

Recommendation 1:

1.Assessment of the property to determine if the land is suitable for tile drainages.

-Determine if a detrimental effect on the surrounding floodplain.

2. If the assessment concludes detrimental impact and the property owner still wanted to install tile drains

a. retention pond or constructed wetlands

b.changing management practices to reduce the impact.

Recommendation 2: State webpage

Conclusions…

● Implications of Climate change● Limitations of Study

○ Ranking vs Scaling ○ Small Sample Size○ Time

Acknowledgements

Marli Rupe, thanks for helping!Adam Hausman and Jessica Sanford of Adam’s Berry

Farm Neil Marchessi from Unity Farm (owned by Cathy

Wells) Andy Jones from Intervale Community Farm

David Zuckerman from Full Moon Farm Amanda Andrews from Tamarack Hollow

Christa from Jericho Settlers Farm