AG - Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural Waste Management is the management of on-farm generated wastes in an environmentally, economically, and agronomically responsible manner, addressing manure, milkhouse waste water, barnyard water, silo leachate, and other organic wastes as needed.

An inventory of the farm shall be done to identify areas of potential pollutant sources.  The areas of potential concern identified by the inventory will be addressed, taking into account the watershed and the specific farm location in the watershed. 
 
Waste shall be used to the fullest extent possible by recycling it through soil and plants.  Waste shall be collected and spread on the land or treated and/or stored until it can be spread.  The land that the waste is to be spread on shall be evaluated for its potential to produce runoff, leach to an aquifer, be flooded, and for its proximity to watercourses. The overall system shall include sufficient land for proper nutrient utilization. 

Adequate erosion control and other soil and water management practices shall be incorporated to prevent system-related problems.  Polluted runoff and seepage from concentrated waste areas shall be intercepted and directed to storage or treatment facilities for future disposal.  Appropriate waste handling equipment for the collection, transport, and spreading of the waste shall be planned for effective operation of the system.  All waste management systems shall comply with federal, state, or local regulations.

Steel Manure Tank

Earthen Manure Storage

Finishing Construction on Concrete Manure Storage

AG - Non-Point Source Program

NYS Agricultural Nonpoint Source Pollution Abatement & Control Grant Program

This grant program was established in 1994 by the State of New York to assist farmers in preventing water pollution from agricultural activities by providing technical assistance and financial incentives. County Soil and Water Conservation Districts apply for the competitive grants on behalf of farmers and coordinate funded activities. Grants can cost-share up to 75% of project costs or more if farm owners or operators contribute, in the following two areas:

1. Planning; funds awarded to conduct environmental planning

2. Implementation; funds awarded to construct or apply management practices

The New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee and the Department of Agriculture and Markets coordinate the statewide program and allocate funds provided by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund on a semi-annual basis. Since the program began in 1994 more than $50 million has been awarded to 53 Soil and Water Conservation Districts across the state to help farmers reduce and prevent agricultural sources of Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution.

What is Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution?

The primary cause of New York’s remaining water quality challenges can be attributed to NPS pollutants. According to the Federal Environmental Protection Agency:

NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carried away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, costal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water. These pollutants include:

*Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas;
*Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production;
*Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding stream banks;
*Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines;
*Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems, etc.

What are Rounds?

Rounds are the state’s term for the nonpoint source program funding cycle. For the most part, rounds have been announced on an annual basis with one round of funding per state fiscal year. Since the program’s inception in 1994, there have been a total of 17 rounds of funding available to Districts.

AG - Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Protecting and improving the quality of Wyoming County’s water resources is one of the main objectives of the Soil and Water Conservation District.  The implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) throughout the County are aimed at decreasing transfer of soil and nutrients to our water resources.

The Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical assistance in the planning and design of erosion control practices, and many Agricultural BMPs.  All of these activities help to protect our water resources.

Along with technical assistance to land owners, the Soil and Water Conservation District has been involved in research on some of the area lakes and streams, attempting to observe the effects of installed BMPs.

AG - Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM)

What is AEM?

Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) is a voluntary incentive-based program that helps all farmers operate environmentally sound and economically viable businesses.

The AEM Program coordinates existing agricultural and environmental conservation agencies and programs as well as agribusiness, to provide one-stop shopping for services.  All agricultural counties in New York State are currently conducting ARM programs and participation has grown to include nearly 8,000 farms.

Why AEM?

The AEM Program helps farmers address sources of water pollution originating from agricultural activities by:

* Assessing environmental concerns associated with their farming operations
* Documenting current stewardship
* Developing management plans
* Implementing environmentally sound practices to address identified concerns
* Complying with state and federal environmental regulations

Local management of program activities allows AEM to respond effectively to side-specific agricultural practices, local environmental concerns, and individual business objectives.

How does AEM work?

AEM uses a five tiered approach to help farmers develop and implement effective and profitable farm plans. 

Tier 1:  A short questionnaire surveys current farm activities, farmer’s future plans, and identifies potential environmental concerns.

Tier 2: Farming operation worksheets document current environmental stewardship while identifying and prioritizing environmental concerns.

Tier 3: Local teams of resource professionals help farmers develop solutions to specific environmental concerns identified in Tiers 1 and 2.  Plans are designed with a farm’s mission, goals, and objectives in mind.

Tier 4: Agricultural agencies and consultants provide farms with technical educational, and financial assistance to implement Best Management Practices.

Tier 5: Ongoing evaluations help ensure that AEM helps protect both the environment and the viability of farm businesses.

AEM Benefits the Farmer & the Environment

AEM helps farmers:

* Manage manure and fertilizer nutrients
* Manage barnyard run-off and process wastewater
* Conserve soil
* Protect drinking water
* Improve neighbor and community relations
* Promote the economic and environmental benefits of farmland to the community
* Comply with environmental regulations
* Be consistent with permit requirements for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

What Assistance Does AEM Provide?

AEM links farmers with program partners to address specific environmental issues on the farm.

Financial Assistance

Cost sharing for environmental farm plans and BMP implementation can come from:

* NYS Agricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program (ANSACP)
* NYS Farmland Viability Grants
* NYS Energy Research & Development Authority grants (NYSERDA)
* USDA Farm Bill Programs such as the Environmental Qualities Incentive Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)

Technical Assistance & Education

* Environmental plan development
* Best Management Practice design & installation
* Education programs to help farmers operate viable and environmentally sound farms

AEM Objectives

* Provide a voluntary, incentive based program to address water quality concerns on farms
* Coordinate a watershed based approach
* Document environmental stewardship
* Adopt Best Management Practices (BMPs) consistent with farm resources.
* Increase farmers’ awareness of their potential impact on the environment
* Increase non-farmer awareness of agriculture’s multiple environmental benefits
* Address neighbor relations

To learn more about AEM, please contact:

* The Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District
* The USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service
* Cornell Cooperative Extension
* A Certified AEM Planner

This information was provided in a brochure distributed by The AEM Coordinator, NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee.

AG - NYS Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)

Farmers are now eligible to receive annual rental payments and other financial incentives for enrolling environmentally sensitive land within priority watersheds and public well-head areas in the New York State Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, otherwise known as CREP.

The CREP (pronounced “krep”) is a partnership between state and federal agencies designed to help farmers address agricultural related environmental concerns on 40,000 acres of land across the state. Participants voluntarily retire cropland or pastureland that is located on steep slopes or borders streams, creeks, lakes and public well-head areas to help reduce sediment and nutrient runoff from entering critical watersheds. Retiring highly erodible lands and planting it to native grasses, trees and other protective vegetation will enhance water quality and provide shelter, nesting areas and food for wildlife.

In return for taking these environmentally sensitive lands out of production and placing them in the CREP for 10-15 year contract periods, producers are eligible to receive the following: annual rental payments, annual maintenance payments, cost-share assistance, practice incentive payments, a signing incentive payment, and possibly an annual tax credit.

The CREP agreement between USDA and New York State was signed in October of 2003 and enrollment will be on a continuous basis through December 31, 2007. In order to be eligible to enroll in the CREP, land must be located within the eligible watersheds of 12 major New York State basins or surrounding a public well-head. Additionally, cropland must have been cropped four of the six years between 1996 and 2001 and must be capable of being cropped in a normal manner today. Marginal pastureland is also eligible for enrollment, provided it is suitable for use as a buffer practice.

Creating buffers and establishing vegetative cover demonstrates agriculture’s commitment to the environment and the health of community neighbors. Producers wishing to learn more about enrolling land in the New York State CREP should contact the Wyoming County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Farm Service Agency (FSA) or Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office.

Frequently Asked Questions About CREP

1. What is the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program?

The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program or CREP (pronounced “krep”) is a federal and state conservation partnership designed to address agriculture-related environmental concerns. Participants receive financial incentives from USDA to voluntarily enroll environmentally sensitive cropland or pastureland in contracts for a period of 10 to 15 years. In return for annual rental payments and financial incentives, participants convert the land to native grasses, trees and other conservation vegetation

2. What are the environmental benefits of CREP?

The New York CREP will help farmers address erosion and nutrient runoff within New York’s high priority watersheds. CREP’s aim is to remove environmentally sensitive cropland planted on steep slopes or bordering streams, creeks and lakes.

Retiring highly erodible cropland and planting it to protective vegetation will enhance water quality, while providing shelter, nesting areas and food for wildlife. Buffers planted along stream banks will filter phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment from runoff before it enters the waterways.

3. What areas in New York are included in the program?

CREP is available in specified watersheds throughout the state. Eligible watersheds were selected because the   NYS Priority Waterbody List indicates that they are negatively impacted due to agricultural activities. USDA     and NY State aim to place 40,000 of the most environmentally sensitive acres into the program.

Public wellhead protection areas, as designated by the New York State Department of Health, are also eligible     for enrollment within these watersheds. CREP will remove cropland acreage surrounding wellheads from crop production, thereby reducing the potential for contaminants to affect the water supply.

4. What are the goals of the New York CREP?

The goals of the New York CREP are:

Reduce nutrient loading of

* phosphorus from 145,284 pounds per year to 72,642 pounds per year
* nitrogen from 77,376 pounds per year to 38,688 pounds per year
*  sediments from 175,316 tons per year to 70,126 tons per year

Reduce the potential for pathogens to enter identified waterbodies.

Establish riparian buffers adjacent to 4,598 stream miles and 473,457 acres of surface waters.

Establish conservation vegetation on areas that serve Environmental Protection Agency approved wellhead zones.

5. What type of cropland is eligible for CREP?

Eligible cropland must have been cropped four of the six years between 1996 and 2001. Additionally, the land must be physically and legally capable of being cropped in a normal manner. Marginal pastureland is also eligible for enrollment provided it is suitable for use as a buffer practice.

6. What conservation measures are applicable?

* Field boundaries and marginal pastureland adjacent to surface water are the primary focus of the program. These acres would be planted to grass or a combination of grasses, shrubs and trees.
   
* Whole fields may be enrolled, but to qualify the slope of the acreage must be highly erodible and 50 percent of the acreage must be within 1,000 feet of a surface water source. These fields may be planted to grasses, trees, wildlife habitats and/or wetlands.
   
* Fields located in wellhead protection areas can be planted to grasses and trees as well.

7. What will producers earn under CREP?

New York CREP participants will be eligible for the following types of USDA payments:
* Annual Rental Payments: all producers will receive an annual rental payment based on the soil’s pre-determined rental rate. This rate will then be increased by an additional 145 percent as an incentive to enroll in the program (Example: A $40 rental rate plus the 145% incentive payment ($58) equals a $98/acre annual rental payment.). Annual rental payments are issued in October.
   
* Annual Maintenance Payment: To offset any cost incurred by the producer for preserving the conservation practice, a maintenance payment of $5 to $10 dollars per acre will be added into the annual rental payment.
   
* Cost-Share Assistance: USDA will reimburse farmers up to 50 percent of the eligible costs for installing conservation practices.
   
* Practice Incentive Payment: As an incentive to establish certain practices, a one-time payment equal to 40 percent of the installation cost will be issued. This payment is in addition to the cost-share assistance and issued upon completion of the practice.
   
* Signing Incentive Payment: Eligible producers will also receive a one-time payment of $100 to $150 per acre for land enrolled in a grass waterway, riparian buffer or filter strip practice. This payment is made after the contract has been signed and approved.

In addition, New York will offer:
   
* An annual tax credit: CREP acres may be added to the first 250 acres of qualified agricultural land eligible for a New York State income tax credit to offset school taxes.

Cost-Share Assistance: Producers may be eligible to receive additional cost-share assistance through New York State on a competitive basis.

8. Are there other benefits to enrolling in CREP?

Establishment of riparian buffers and other CREP practices is a visible way to demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship. Neighbors and community members often notice and appreciate these efforts toward protecting water quality and wildlife.

Participation in CREP can also help ensure a safe drinking water supply for your livestock by reducing contaminants entering surface water. If livestock are fenced out of streams altogether, an alternate water supply may be installed to provide fresh drinking water.

9. When will CREP sign-up begin?

The CREP agreement between USDA and New York State was signed on October 29, 2003. Enrollment will be on a continuous basis through December 31, 2007. Each CREP contract is for a 10 to 15 year period. Farmers and landowners can enroll at their local Farm Service Agency office or the Soil and Water Conservation District office.

10. Where can I get more information about the program?