Conservation plans are the basic tool used to establish a plan to lend assistance to cooperators. The planner and decision maker work together to decide what conservation practices are needed, on what schedule they should be implemented, and if cost share monies are feasible. If livestock are part of a farming operation, a livestock manure management plan is also part of the conservation plan.

The SWCD promotes farming methods that prevent soil erosion and prevent water degradation. Cropping rotations, strip or contour strip farming, conservation and no-tillage are some of the methods utilized. The SWCD has for rent 10 and 15 foot no-till drills and a no-till corn planter to allow an agricultural producer to try no-till before investing in equipment.

Water ways are vegetated areas that are designed and constructed to prevent concentrated water runoff from causing soil erosion.

Animal waste storages are holding facilities designed to store livestock manure. Stored livestock manure is recycled to farm fields to supply plant nutrients. The holding facility permits the livestock manure to be stored until field conditions are optimal for application.

Composting facilities are being utilized to permit dead stock to be recycled for plant nutrients without causing environmental degradation.

Treatment wetlands are being utilized to prevent polluted water from livestock facilities from degrading water quality. Several treatment wetlands have been installed in Wayne county and are currently being monitored. Preliminary results indicate that they are a viable practice.

Many other practices are available to producers and land owners from the Wayne SWCD. For more information, stop by our office or give us a call at 330-262-2836.