Small farm owners and their animals realize many benefits of proper manure and pasture management (i.e. good land stewardship). For example, a well-managed pasture can produce more forage which results in less trips to the feed store. Additionally, properly managed manure can result in less mud in high use areas and less habitat for breeding flies, bacteria and fungus. What you may not realize is that well managed small farms benefit more than just the people and animals that live there.
You see, the properties typically provide valuable natural areas; open areas like pasture, wetlands and wooded areas can provide much needed habitat for wildlife and in many cases can help protect against water pollution by absorbing and filtering rainwater runoff before it enters nearby ditches and streams.
The Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has taken advantage of the multiple benefits of land stewardship (i.e. dual benefit to landowners and water quality) by establishing a targeted Small Farms Program which provides enhanced assistance to farm owners in a select area along the Elk River. The program is made possible by a grant from the Clean Water Land and Legacy Amendment, the SWCD was eligible for the grant because of the impaired water status of the Elk River. The Elk River has high levels of bacteria and nutrients; both levels above what the state says are safe for recreation. There are many small farms scattered across the landscape that drains to the impaired reach of Elk River; as such, they can be a part of the solution.
The Sherburne County Small Farms Program allows the SWCD to offer both technical and financial assistance to implement practices that protect water quality and the health of the farm; it’s a win-win situation. Practices that are eligible for assistance cost sharing under this program help to increase forage production (includes pasture seeding and grazing plans), reduce flies and costs associated with manure disposal (manure management planning including use of composting bins), reduce muddiness in paddocks (stormwater diversions and infiltration basis) and improve water quality (vegetated filter strips and other infiltration practices).
The funds are also being used to provide educational opportunities to small farm owners. In fact, the SWCD recently partnered with the U of M, Anoka Equine, and the MN Horse Council to host a workshop for small farm owners. The workshop included presentations by Krishona Martinson, Associate Professor and Equine Extension Specialist with the University of MN; Dr. Rick Marion of Anoka Equine; Tiffany Determan, Water Resource Specialist and Bill Bronder, District Technician both SWCD staff persons. In addition, two Sherburne County Landowners shared their experiences with managing manure. The workshop was well attended and well received with representation by over 45 small farm owners from across the state! Based on interest expressed, the SWCD hopes to host additional similar workshops in the future. In fact, the SWCD is already thinking about a future summer workshop on the farm so that attendees can see firsthand some of the land stewardship practices implemented with the grant!
For more information on the Small Farms Program visit the SWCD website at: www.sherburneswcd.org or call Tiffany Determan: 763-214-1170 x4.
