Author: Clean Technica
Soil Health Improvements in Western New York Farm Increase Economic Gain for Farmers
Soil Health Improvements in Western New York Farm Increase Economic Gain for Farmers
josterme01
Tue, 11/26/2024 – 9:45 am
Working with John Macauley and a Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag Economist, AFT created a partial budget to analyze the marginal benefits and costs of adopting no-till, cover crops, and nutrient management on the Macauley Farm. As a result of the three soil health practices, John’s net income increased by $44 per acre per year or by $25,036 annually on the 567-acre study area, achieving a 135% return on investment.
The Great Lakes are vital, providing drinking water for millions of people, but cropland in the basin contributes to excess nutrients and phosphorus entering the lakes. Farmers care about protecting water quality, but they face challenges in adopting conservation practices due to tight profit margins, concerns about yield impacts, insecure leases, and complexities with integrating conservation into their current management systems. While these practices are crucial for improving soil health and reducing nutrient runoff, farmers also need to see them as practical and profitable to decide to implement them. Through this project, American Farmland Trust (AFT) aimed to encourage farmers in the Genesee River Watershed to adopt soil regenerative management systems. We accomplished this by expanding a farmer-to-farmer demonstration network, gathering and sharing data on the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and fostering better relationships between landowners and farmers.
One highlight from this project was working with John Macauley of Macauley Farm – a multi-generation beef and crop farm stewarding 1,106 acres in the Genesee River watershed. Through their conservation practices of no-till, planting cover crops, and split fertilizer application, the Macauleys are saving around $72 per acre annually in machinery and labor expenses, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 69 percent. John is also happy to not be picking rocks anymore, which were kicked up by tillage.
“I am focused on building my soil health and letting nature do some of the work for me,” John says. “I may not be setting records for high yields, but at the end of the day, I’ve got more money in my pocket instead of shelling it all out upfront.”
John believes that continuing to find ways to improve his soil health will provide even greater returns in the future as he experiments with cover crop mixes to supply nutrients, thereby reducing reliance on inorganic N, P, and micronutrients. American Farmland Trust is grateful to have Macauley Farm as a member of the Genesee River Demonstration Farms Network, where John shares his knowledge and experience with his peers to help spread the adoption of soil health practices throughout the watershed.
To see more examples of economic case studies focused on soil health, and for more information on the Genesee River Demonstration Farm Network please visit our project webpage.
Tue, 11/26/2024 – 9:45 am
Keywords
Working with John Macauley and a Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag Economist, AFT created a partial budget to analyze the marginal benefits and costs of adopting no-till, cover crops, and nutrient management on the Macauley Farm. As a result of the three soil health practices, John’s net income increased by $44 per acre per year or by $25,036 annually on the 567-acre study area, achieving a 135% return on investment.
The Great Lakes are vital, providing drinking water for millions of people, but cropland in the basin contributes to excess nutrients and phosphorus entering the lakes. Farmers care about protecting water quality, but they face challenges in adopting conservation practices due to tight profit margins, concerns about yield impacts, insecure leases, and complexities with integrating conservation into their current management systems. While these practices are crucial for improving soil health and reducing nutrient runoff, farmers also need to see them as practical and profitable to decide to implement them. Through this project, American Farmland Trust (AFT) aimed to encourage farmers in the Genesee River Watershed to adopt soil regenerative management systems. We accomplished this by expanding a farmer-to-farmer demonstration network, gathering and sharing data on the benefits of regenerative agriculture, and fostering better relationships between landowners and farmers.
One highlight from this project was working with John Macauley of Macauley Farm – a multi-generation beef and crop farm stewarding 1,106 acres in the Genesee River watershed. Through their conservation practices of no-till, planting cover crops, and split fertilizer application, the Macauleys are saving around $72 per acre annually in machinery and labor expenses, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 69 percent. John is also happy to not be picking rocks anymore, which were kicked up by tillage.
“I am focused on building my soil health and letting nature do some of the work for me,” John says. “I may not be setting records for high yields, but at the end of the day, I’ve got more money in my pocket instead of shelling it all out upfront.”
John believes that continuing to find ways to improve his soil health will provide even greater returns in the future as he experiments with cover crop mixes to supply nutrients, thereby reducing reliance on inorganic N, P, and micronutrients. American Farmland Trust is grateful to have Macauley Farm as a member of the Genesee River Demonstration Farms Network, where John shares his knowledge and experience with his peers to help spread the adoption of soil health practices throughout the watershed.
To see more examples of economic case studies focused on soil health, and for more information on the Genesee River Demonstration Farm Network please visit our project webpage.
Tue, 11/26/2024 – 9:45 am
Keywords
GLRI grant improves soil, helps protect water quality in Ohio
GLRI grant improves soil, helps protect water quality in Ohio
josterme01
Thu, 11/21/2024 – 1:53 pm
A $193,500 USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant is helping maintain and improve water quality in Euclid, Ohio. The grant to Cleveland Metroparks is allowing partners to plant trees, reduce soil compaction and enhance a riparian buffer along Euclid Creek. More information about the project.
Thu, 11/21/2024 – 1:53 pm
GLRI grant improves soil, helps protect water quality in Ohio
GLRI grant improves soil, helps protect water quality in Ohio
josterme01
Thu, 11/21/2024 – 1:53 pm
A $193,500 USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant is helping maintain and improve water quality in Euclid, Ohio. The grant to Cleveland Metroparks is allowing partners to plant trees, reduce soil compaction and enhance a riparian buffer along Euclid Creek. More information about the project.
Thu, 11/21/2024 – 1:53 pm
A $193,500 USDA Forest Service Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant is helping maintain and improve water quality in Euclid, Ohio. The grant to Cleveland Metroparks is allowing partners to plant trees, reduce soil compaction and enhance a riparian buffer along Euclid Creek. More information about the project.
Thu, 11/21/2024 – 1:53 pm
GLRI Funds Help Pollinators Thrive on Finger Lakes National Forest
GLRI Funds Help Pollinators Thrive on Finger Lakes National Forest
josterme01
Fri, 11/15/2024 – 1:43 pm
CorpsTHAT join Forest Staff in the Finger Lakes to plant native species plugs that had been growing at the NRCS Plant Materials Center. (USDA Forest Service photo by Greg Flood)
Finger Lakes National Forest staff and partners were able to replace invasive grasses at Backbone Campground, Overlook Trailhead, and the parking area at Caywood Point with native species, thanks to funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
Partners were also key in restoring the areas for pollinators. The USDA Plant Materials Center provided short term seed storage prior to propagation, space to prepare seeds for planting, greenhouse space to grow about 2,000 plugs, and expertise in in the field. In addition, a crew Finger Lakes Community College and a crew from CorpsTHAT!, a program dedicated to connecting the Deaf Community and the outdoors through education, recreation, and careers, helped put the new plants in the ground.
The species of native forbs and grasses planted will provide pollinators with nectar through the growing season as well as habitat to overwinter in the stems and leaf litter of the newly planted species.
Fri, 11/15/2024 – 1:43 pm
EPA completes Drum Removal Pilot Study in the Hubbell Processing Area of the Torch Lake Area of Concern
EPA completes Drum Removal Pilot Study in the Hubbell Processing Area of the Torch Lake Area of Concern
josterme01
Wed, 11/13/2024 – 1:39 pm
As part of the Drum Removal Pilot , a crane unloads material into a a hopper barge.
This fall the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency completed a Drum Removal Pilot Study in the Hubbell Processing Area (HPA) of the Torch Lake Area of Concern (AOC). The work was performed as part of the Great Lakes Legacy Act sediment and drum remediation as a partnership between EPA and Honeywell International, in close coordination with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy and other community stakeholders.
As part of past evaluations and work performed by EPA and Honeywell, over 400 metal 55-gallon drums have been identified on the lakebed of Torch Lake in the HPA at various water depths, ranging from approximately 20 feet to over 70 feet in depth. Drums noted during underwater video surveys appear in various stages of deterioration with contaminated sediment present in the area of the drums.
EPA’s contractors removed approximately 100 drums as well as debris and contaminated sediment from three areas at differing water depths.
Turbidity curtains and bubble curtains, which help control residual sediment movement during dredging, were in place throughout drum and sediment removal operations. Extensive monitoring was performed during dredging activities that will help in the development of a larger cleanup project. Drums, debris and sediment removed were temporarily staged prior to be transported to a disposal facility.
The in-water portion of the pilot study was completed in late September with material transportation to the landfill completed in early November. The Drum Removal Pilot Study will assist in the evaluation of drum removal and cleanup options at various water depths, which is a critical component of the ongoing Torch Lake HPA Feasibility Study.
Learn more about remediation and restoration work in the Torch Lake AOC.
Wed, 11/13/2024 – 1:39 pm