NEW Watershed Program - Conservation Practices

Why install conservation practices or best management practices (BMPs)?

Address problem areas: Conservation practices target and rectify specific issues within the agricultural fields, enhancing overall field health.
Tailor to your farm goals: Find the right practice that aligns with your unique farm management objectives for optimal results.
Boost soil health: Enhance soil vitality and promote greater water infiltration.
Improve drainage: Implement practices that optimize drainage, reduce soil and nutrient loss, and lead to better field productivity.

Reduce soil erosion: By stabilizing concentrated flow paths and actively eroding areas, runoff of sediment and nutrients is minimized, leading to cleaner water resources.
Mitigate downstream erosion: By enhancing water infiltration and capturing runoff upstream, downstream velocities are reduced, which decreases bank erosion.
Enhance water and stream habitat: Treating surface runoff upstream improves both water quality and the health of in-stream habitats, fostering a more resilient aquatic ecosystem.

Structural Practice vs. Operational Practice
- A structural practice is a method that is engineered and implemented to provide a long-term solution within a traditional crop system.
- An operational practice is a recurring annual practice implemented to build and enhance soil health within a traditional crop system.