Working to Improve Water QualityWorking to Improve Water Quality

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” –FarmLink” –Promoting Conservation Promoting Conservation

One-to-OneOne-to-One

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

Cooperative Effort AmongCooperative Effort Among

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

RAISING THE STANDARDRAISING THE STANDARD

in the

DUCK CREEK WATERSHED

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

THANK YOUTHANK YOU