National Association of Conservation Districts February 4 ...
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Prince George’s Soil Conservation District Soil Health Demonstration Farm Project National Association of Conservation Districts February 4, 2019 Steven Darcey, CPESC District Manager
Transcript of National Association of Conservation Districts February 4 ...
PGSCD Soil Health Demonstration Farm Project at Spice CreekPrince
George’s Soil Conservation District Soil Health Demonstration Farm
Project
National Association of Conservation Districts February 4, 2019
Steven Darcey, CPESC District Manager
Education and Outreach Programs:
County Inspectors
Soil Health Demonstration Farm Model
Work with conventional tillage farmer Two farms with similar topography and soils Setup prescribed crop rotations for both farms Crop one farm with conventional system Crop the other farm with all soil health best
management practices Manage fields w various cover crop mixtures Manage farms w conventional vs no-till
methods Keep records on inputs and yields Conduct field days and workshops Engage the farming community Present results at multiple functions
STEPS TO SUCCESS Located an abandoned overgrown farm owned by the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) Identify participating farmer. Offer free rent if he followed our program Establish goals for the project Get Board of Supervisor approval to proceed Develop a Memorandum of Understanding w MNCPPC Develop a tracking spreadsheet for inputs and outputs Perform Maryland NRCS Soil Health Assessment Take soil samples for fertility (Waters Lab) and soil health (Cornell) Develop a tentative budget Define all participant’s roles and responsibilities Begin clearing operations Repair tobacco barn to be used for workshops and field days. Apply for Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission “Regional
Ag Production” grant
Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) Spice Creek Farm - Total Acres:
145.0 Part of Patuxent River Park
- Demonstration Area: Approx. 40 acres
- Proposed Cropland: 32 acres
- Environmentally sensitive site. Lies w/in Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and bordered by Patuxent River and Spice creek
- Was in nursery stock for 30 years
- Abandoned since 2008. Overgrown w/ non-native nursery trees and shrubs and invasive non-native trees and other woody plants. Typical invasive species are ailanthus (tree of heaven), Bradford Pear and multiflora rose.
Spice Creek Farm Topographic Map
Located w/in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Limits
Predominately “A” slopes
Good access for the public by land or water
Old tobacco barn may serve as a focal point for workshops and educational activities
Existing wooded buffers
Proposed Cropland Areas Predominant Soil Type: CnA Collington - Wist Slope: 0-2% average Other Soils: CnB
Roles and Responsibilities Spelled out in the MOU PGSCD MNCPPC Farmer
Staff time Land Owner-Provides the Property
Gets Free Land Rent if follows the plan
Guidance, Farm Planning Equipment and labor for clearing
Work cooperatively with PGSCD
Education/ Outreach Education/Outreach Equipment and labor for clearing
Research/ Documentation
PGSCD pay for soil tests, cover crop seed and
grassed filter strip seed and soil amendments. The District’s no-till drill was used to plant cover crop and filter strips. District staff installed the initial
MNCPPC supply equipment for some of the clearing. Additionally they supply dumpsters for cleaning
out the old tobacco barn.
Goldsmith brothers perform some clearing w their equipment in
return for 10 year free rent.
1st ORDER OF BUSINESS CLEAR THE LAND
32.0 ACRES Debris is to be stockpiled for wildlife
habitat. Some debris will be burned.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
3.3 and 2.6 ac fields are wildlife corridors. The 3 brown circles are brush pile areas. Burning permit required by PG County Health and Fire Department.
Goals Soil Improvements Economic Improvements Increase organic material Reduce Fertilizer and chemical inputs
Improve water holding capacity Increase yields
Decrease compaction Reduce time in the field
Improve soil permeability and water infiltration
Reduce the need for expensive structural BMPs to reduce soil erosion
Improve soil biology Reduce Fuel usage
Reduce weed competition Decrease variability between seasons
Improve soil health w economic agronomic BMPs
Improve soil health w economic agronomic BMPs
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Crimson Clover 10% Annual Ryegrass 7.5% Forage Radish 3.5%
Turnip 2.5%
Spring 2016
Land clearing
Develop soil and water conservation plan. Develop nutrient management plan. Removal of overgrown nursery stock.
Establish brush piles. Establish 35’ cool season grass
buffers. Establish wildlife corridor
Spring 2018
Additional Clearing
Fall 2018 Plant Multi-Species CC
Going forward no-till corn and soybean rotation w a fall multi specie cover crop.
Other rotations may be used. Summer cover crops may be to extend the
duration of “live” plants on the ground.
Progress Timeline 2016-2018
BUDGET
ITEM QUANTITY ACTUAL COS FUNDING SOURCE Field Border Seeding 5 acres @ $400.00/ac $791.66 PGSCD/MNCPPC New Roof for Barn $6,500.00 SMADC RAP GRANT
Structural Barn Work $16,300.00 SMADC RAP GRANT Dumpster @ Barn 2 Ea $0.00 MNCPPC
Removal of Old Truck in Barn $0.00 PGSCD Cover Crop Seed 15 Bags $750.00 PGSCD Weather Station 1Ea $0.00 SMADC GRANT
Compactomometer: Soil Compaction Tester 1 Ea $668.27 MDA CBFT Cornell Soil Tests 4 Ea $240.00 PGSCD
Cleaning of Barn: Trash Removal $1,640.00 SMADC RAP GRANT $26,889.93
SMADC RAP GRANT FUNDS: Start: $25,000.00
New Roof for Barn 6,500.00$ Structural Barn Work 16,300.00$
Cleaning Barn 1,640.00$ Remaining Funds: $560.00
Soil Health Demonstration Farm
$0.00
PGSCD
$1,640.00
$560.00
In 2018 the MNCPPC approached PGSCD about another site for a demonstration farm that was
more accessible to the suburban public. WATKINS PARK FARM
This farm is actually part of a larger public park and receives 1.5 million visitors a year. Soils and
topography are similar to Spice Creek
CHALLENGES Weather: 65 inches of rain in 2018 set a one hundred year record.
Farmer motivation to change old ways of farming.
Urgency to follow the prescribed model. Proper timing is essential.
Cost: conventional small grain cover crop is $12-$19 per 50lb bag.
$36-$57/acre (150 lbs/ac)
Multi species cover crop seed (Ray’s Crazy Mix is $50.00 per 50lb bag.
$50.00/acre (50lb/ac)
CONCLUSIONS
This is a long term 10-20 year project so to early to draw conclusions on the benefits of soil health practices.
Potential to provide outreach and education to thousands of citizens.
We are gaining knowledge of farmer perceptions, actual costs associated with applying soil health practices, what works and how to manage in unfavorable weather.
Thanks to:
Christine Fanning-Deputy M-NCPPC
Wade Hampton [email protected]
Harrison Palmer [email protected]
Prince George’s Soil Conservation District 5301 Marlboro Race Track Road suite 100
Upper Marlboro MD 20772 301-574-5162 ext 3 visit us on the web
Prince George’s Soil Conservation District Soil Health Demonstration Farm ProjectNational Association of Conservation DistrictsFebruary 4, 2019Steven Darcey, CPESCDistrict Manager
Education and Outreach Programs:
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Slide Number 5
Spice Creek Farm Topographic MapLocated w/in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Limits Predominately “A” slopesWell drained sandy loam soils Collington-Wist seriesGood access for the public by land or water Old tobacco barn may serve as a focal point for workshops and educational activitiesExisting wooded buffers
Slide Number 7
Slide Number 8
Slide Number 9
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Ray’s Crazy MixWinter Pea 24%Oats 20%Triticale 20%Hairy Vetch 12.5%Crimson Clover 10%Annual Ryegrass 7.5%Forage Radish 3.5%Turnip 2.5%
1950 Tobacco Barn Before Renovation
1950 Tobacco Barn After Renovations
Slide Number 16
BUDGET
In 2018 the MNCPPC approached PGSCD about another site for a demonstration farm that was more accessible to the suburban public. WATKINS PARK FARMThis farm is actually part of a larger public park and receives 1.5 million visitors a year. Soils and topography are similar to Spice Creek
CHALLENGES
CONCLUSIONS
National Association of Conservation Districts February 4, 2019
Steven Darcey, CPESC District Manager
Education and Outreach Programs:
County Inspectors
Soil Health Demonstration Farm Model
Work with conventional tillage farmer Two farms with similar topography and soils Setup prescribed crop rotations for both farms Crop one farm with conventional system Crop the other farm with all soil health best
management practices Manage fields w various cover crop mixtures Manage farms w conventional vs no-till
methods Keep records on inputs and yields Conduct field days and workshops Engage the farming community Present results at multiple functions
STEPS TO SUCCESS Located an abandoned overgrown farm owned by the Maryland National
Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) Identify participating farmer. Offer free rent if he followed our program Establish goals for the project Get Board of Supervisor approval to proceed Develop a Memorandum of Understanding w MNCPPC Develop a tracking spreadsheet for inputs and outputs Perform Maryland NRCS Soil Health Assessment Take soil samples for fertility (Waters Lab) and soil health (Cornell) Develop a tentative budget Define all participant’s roles and responsibilities Begin clearing operations Repair tobacco barn to be used for workshops and field days. Apply for Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission “Regional
Ag Production” grant
Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) Spice Creek Farm - Total Acres:
145.0 Part of Patuxent River Park
- Demonstration Area: Approx. 40 acres
- Proposed Cropland: 32 acres
- Environmentally sensitive site. Lies w/in Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and bordered by Patuxent River and Spice creek
- Was in nursery stock for 30 years
- Abandoned since 2008. Overgrown w/ non-native nursery trees and shrubs and invasive non-native trees and other woody plants. Typical invasive species are ailanthus (tree of heaven), Bradford Pear and multiflora rose.
Spice Creek Farm Topographic Map
Located w/in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Limits
Predominately “A” slopes
Good access for the public by land or water
Old tobacco barn may serve as a focal point for workshops and educational activities
Existing wooded buffers
Proposed Cropland Areas Predominant Soil Type: CnA Collington - Wist Slope: 0-2% average Other Soils: CnB
Roles and Responsibilities Spelled out in the MOU PGSCD MNCPPC Farmer
Staff time Land Owner-Provides the Property
Gets Free Land Rent if follows the plan
Guidance, Farm Planning Equipment and labor for clearing
Work cooperatively with PGSCD
Education/ Outreach Education/Outreach Equipment and labor for clearing
Research/ Documentation
PGSCD pay for soil tests, cover crop seed and
grassed filter strip seed and soil amendments. The District’s no-till drill was used to plant cover crop and filter strips. District staff installed the initial
MNCPPC supply equipment for some of the clearing. Additionally they supply dumpsters for cleaning
out the old tobacco barn.
Goldsmith brothers perform some clearing w their equipment in
return for 10 year free rent.
1st ORDER OF BUSINESS CLEAR THE LAND
32.0 ACRES Debris is to be stockpiled for wildlife
habitat. Some debris will be burned.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
3.3 and 2.6 ac fields are wildlife corridors. The 3 brown circles are brush pile areas. Burning permit required by PG County Health and Fire Department.
Goals Soil Improvements Economic Improvements Increase organic material Reduce Fertilizer and chemical inputs
Improve water holding capacity Increase yields
Decrease compaction Reduce time in the field
Improve soil permeability and water infiltration
Reduce the need for expensive structural BMPs to reduce soil erosion
Improve soil biology Reduce Fuel usage
Reduce weed competition Decrease variability between seasons
Improve soil health w economic agronomic BMPs
Improve soil health w economic agronomic BMPs
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Crimson Clover 10% Annual Ryegrass 7.5% Forage Radish 3.5%
Turnip 2.5%
Spring 2016
Land clearing
Develop soil and water conservation plan. Develop nutrient management plan. Removal of overgrown nursery stock.
Establish brush piles. Establish 35’ cool season grass
buffers. Establish wildlife corridor
Spring 2018
Additional Clearing
Fall 2018 Plant Multi-Species CC
Going forward no-till corn and soybean rotation w a fall multi specie cover crop.
Other rotations may be used. Summer cover crops may be to extend the
duration of “live” plants on the ground.
Progress Timeline 2016-2018
BUDGET
ITEM QUANTITY ACTUAL COS FUNDING SOURCE Field Border Seeding 5 acres @ $400.00/ac $791.66 PGSCD/MNCPPC New Roof for Barn $6,500.00 SMADC RAP GRANT
Structural Barn Work $16,300.00 SMADC RAP GRANT Dumpster @ Barn 2 Ea $0.00 MNCPPC
Removal of Old Truck in Barn $0.00 PGSCD Cover Crop Seed 15 Bags $750.00 PGSCD Weather Station 1Ea $0.00 SMADC GRANT
Compactomometer: Soil Compaction Tester 1 Ea $668.27 MDA CBFT Cornell Soil Tests 4 Ea $240.00 PGSCD
Cleaning of Barn: Trash Removal $1,640.00 SMADC RAP GRANT $26,889.93
SMADC RAP GRANT FUNDS: Start: $25,000.00
New Roof for Barn 6,500.00$ Structural Barn Work 16,300.00$
Cleaning Barn 1,640.00$ Remaining Funds: $560.00
Soil Health Demonstration Farm
$0.00
PGSCD
$1,640.00
$560.00
In 2018 the MNCPPC approached PGSCD about another site for a demonstration farm that was
more accessible to the suburban public. WATKINS PARK FARM
This farm is actually part of a larger public park and receives 1.5 million visitors a year. Soils and
topography are similar to Spice Creek
CHALLENGES Weather: 65 inches of rain in 2018 set a one hundred year record.
Farmer motivation to change old ways of farming.
Urgency to follow the prescribed model. Proper timing is essential.
Cost: conventional small grain cover crop is $12-$19 per 50lb bag.
$36-$57/acre (150 lbs/ac)
Multi species cover crop seed (Ray’s Crazy Mix is $50.00 per 50lb bag.
$50.00/acre (50lb/ac)
CONCLUSIONS
This is a long term 10-20 year project so to early to draw conclusions on the benefits of soil health practices.
Potential to provide outreach and education to thousands of citizens.
We are gaining knowledge of farmer perceptions, actual costs associated with applying soil health practices, what works and how to manage in unfavorable weather.
Thanks to:
Christine Fanning-Deputy M-NCPPC
Wade Hampton [email protected]
Harrison Palmer [email protected]
Prince George’s Soil Conservation District 5301 Marlboro Race Track Road suite 100
Upper Marlboro MD 20772 301-574-5162 ext 3 visit us on the web
Prince George’s Soil Conservation District Soil Health Demonstration Farm ProjectNational Association of Conservation DistrictsFebruary 4, 2019Steven Darcey, CPESCDistrict Manager
Education and Outreach Programs:
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Slide Number 5
Spice Creek Farm Topographic MapLocated w/in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Limits Predominately “A” slopesWell drained sandy loam soils Collington-Wist seriesGood access for the public by land or water Old tobacco barn may serve as a focal point for workshops and educational activitiesExisting wooded buffers
Slide Number 7
Slide Number 8
Slide Number 9
Ray’s Crazy Mix
Ray’s Crazy MixWinter Pea 24%Oats 20%Triticale 20%Hairy Vetch 12.5%Crimson Clover 10%Annual Ryegrass 7.5%Forage Radish 3.5%Turnip 2.5%
1950 Tobacco Barn Before Renovation
1950 Tobacco Barn After Renovations
Slide Number 16
BUDGET
In 2018 the MNCPPC approached PGSCD about another site for a demonstration farm that was more accessible to the suburban public. WATKINS PARK FARMThis farm is actually part of a larger public park and receives 1.5 million visitors a year. Soils and topography are similar to Spice Creek
CHALLENGES
CONCLUSIONS
