CHESAPEAKE BAY PROGRAM
The Lackawanna Conservation District has participated in the Chesapeake Bay Program since the late 1980’s. The Lackawanna County Chesapeake Bay Program serves two vital purposes:
1) Ensure that all farm owners and operators are aware of, and in compliance with, State regulations governing manure management and soil erosion control. These regulations dictate that:
– Erosion and sediment control plans exist and are current with management on all operations that complete tillage, including no-till fields, as well as farms with animal heavy use areas greater than 5000 sq. ft. (current NRCS Conservation Plans may meet these requirements).
– Manure management plans or Act 38/NRCS 590 Nutrient Management plans exist and are current with management for all operations that produce and/or land-apply manure, including pastured animals.
2) Assist landowners with the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) to reduce non-point source nutrient and/or sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We have worked with countless farm owners and operators to provide financial and technical assistance towards BMP installation on their farm including: barnyard improvement and stabilization, manure storage, roof runoff control, grazing systems, stream crossings, grass & forest buffers, diversions, no-till, cover crops, etc.
To further assist farmers in understanding and abiding by regulations and requirements, document existing BMP’s on the farm, and to aid in the implementation of new BMP’s on their farms, we have been conducting farm education outreach site visits and farm inspections since 2012. With a goal of 25+ farms visited per year, the District hopes to be able to reach out to and assist each and every farm within Lackawanna County.
AGRICULTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE PROGRAM
In 2014, the Lackawanna County Conservation District began its Agricultural Best Management Practice (Ag BMP) Program. The goal of this program is to install BMP’s to protect water quality. While many programs require that all resource concerns on the farm related to nutrient and/or sediment pollution are resolved, this program is designed for “one-off” type projects that often don’t rank high enough to get funded through other funding programs, but can still provide valuable environmental benefits. Eligible BMP’s, including both structural and crop related practices, will receive a 75% cost share. All program participants must be in compliance with manure management and agricultural E&S regulations to receive funding. Applications are accepted year-round and are funded based on the results of a competitive ranking process and available project funds.
SOIL HEALTH PROGRAM
Since its inception, the Lackawanna County Conservation District’s Soil Health Program has changed in scope, but not in purpose. Our program objectives are to provide education, technical assistance, and funding assistance for no-till, cover crops, and other soil health practices. The District regularly hosts workshops and events to promote and highlight soil health. Upon request, soil testing and/or soil health analysis can be performed, at minimal or no cost, to determine what management changes may be necessary to improve soil health and decrease runoff into the Chesapeake Bay.
In addition, we have a 10′ Haybuster no-till seeder, a John Deere 7000, 4-row, no-till corn planter, and a 5 Ton Stotzfus Redhawk Lime Spreader available for rental to plant cash and cover crops and boost soil fertility with regular lime application. Last, but certainly not least, we utilize programs such as the Lackawanna County Soil Health Enhancement Program and REAP Tax Credit program to provide cost-share funding for producers.
Quick Contact: Eric Johnson, johnson@lccd.net
Seeder Rental Rates*
Standard Rate: $15.00 per acre
Cover Crop Rate: $10.00 per acre
Corn Planter Rental Rate*
$15.00 per acre
Lime Spreader Rental Rates*
0-10 acres- $100.00
10-25 acres- $150.00
25-50 acres- $200.00
50-75 acres- $250.00
75+ acres- $300.00
*Additional fees may apply, see rental agreement for details
