Marsh Sill Video – click here

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Planting in Diverse Cover Crops

District Board Vice-Chair Sam Smith planting soybeans in a cover crop mixture of Winter Peas, Abruzzi Rye, Crimson Clover and Diakon Radish. This demonstration site was established to research the utilization of  cover crops to improve soil health.  Plans are to continue this practice through the fall growing season.  Cost-Share assistance may be available.

Cost-Share Programs

Cost-Share Programs offer financial assistance to install best management practices (BMPs) on agricultural lands based on an average cost.  Best management practices are methods for reducing soil erosion and improving water quality.  Best management practices listed below are frequently implemented in our area.  See more detailed information at the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation Cost Share Programs website here and USDA-NRCS Cost Share Programs website here.

Conservation Tillage

A tillage and planting system in which at least 30% of the soil surface is covered by plant residue.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Cropland Conversion (Grass or Trees)

A BMP method that establishes and maintains a conservation cover of grass, trees, or wildlife plantings on fields previously used for crop production.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Field Borders

A strip of perennial vegetation established at the edge of the field that provides a stabilized outlet for row water, thereby improving water quality.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Grassed Waterway

A natural or constructed channel that is shaped or graded to required dimensions and established in suitable perennial vegetation for the stable conveyance of runoff to improve water quality.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Long-Term No-Till

Planting of all row crops for 5 consecutive years, with a goal of at least 80% plant residue from preceding crops.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, improvement of soil quality, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Seasonal High Tunnel

A High Tunnel System, commonly called a “hoop house,” is an increasingly popular conservation practice with financial assistance through USDA-NRCS the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

• Extend the growing season
• Improve plant quality and soil quality
• Reduce nutrient and pesticide transportation
• Improve air quality through reduced transportation inputs
• Reduce energy use by providing consumers with a local source of fresh produce

Sod-Based Rotation

An adapted sequence of crops, grasses, and legumes, or a mixture thereof, established and maintained for a definite number of years as part of a conservation cropping system that is designed to provide adequate organic residue for maintenance or improvement of soil quality.  Benefits include reduced soil erosion, reduced sedimentation, and reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers).

Waste Application System

An environmentally-safe system (such as solid set, dry hydrant, etc.) for the conveyance and distribution of animal waste from waste treatment and storage structures to agricultural fields as part of an irrigation and waste utilization plan.

Water Control Structure

A permanent structure placed in farm canals and ditches to provide control of surface and subsurface drainage. The primary benefit is a reduction in nutrient pollution.  Other benefits include reduced sedimentation, reduced pollution from dissolved and sediment-attached substances (e.g., fertilizers), and reduced storm-water surges of fresh water into estuarine areas.

Wildlife Habitat Management

Develop and improve wildlife habitat on private forestland .

• Prescribed burning
• Reforestation
• Firebreaks