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Situation:
Small farm agriculture is a prevalent land use within our region and can be a significant source of water pollution. Most of these small farms do not fall under the EPA Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation regulations and its comprehensive nutrient management planning requirements. Often, they do not take advantage of assistance programs because of a lack of awareness or an inability to contribute requisite matching funds for capital improvements. Many of these farms operate in rural and urbanizing areas close to high density residential areas and water resources. The amount of land per animal unit is typically very small, resulting in problems with manure storage, handling and use. When improperly managed, these farms may contribute excess nutrients, bacteria and other pathogens, organic matter, sediments and odors to the environment. On these lands, erosion, sedimentation, loss of vegetation, loss of riparian buffers and private well contamination may occur.
Approach:
This Initiative will combine existing work conducted within the region to strengthen efforts. Within the region, we have programs in place to assist small farms. For example, Cornell will share its work with small farms to improve feeding regimens as a cost saving method to reduce nutrient pollution. Rutgers will share its developing on-farm nutrient management certification program for small farmers and its assistance to horse manure producers in improving manure management techniques. UPR will share how it designs low cost manure storage facilities for limited resource farms. The current Region 2 Water Program has contributed to Land Grant University (LGU) efforts in animal waste management by facilitating regional discussion and by providing resources to the LGUs to advance their work in this area. In 2007, URI received an extension education grant to develop an education program for small acreage livestock owners and managers focusing on pollution prevention BMPs.
Stakeholders:
Farmers, agricultural service providers, NRCS, other agency staff, crop consultants, certified nutrient management planners and volunteer organizations like 4-H.
Sampling of Programs in the Region:
In this presentation, there is a brief description highlighting accomplishments and tangible changes in
this focus area in 2007.
A team of Rutgers researchers affiliated with the Equine Science Center and several state and federal agencies is developing a demonstration working horse farm using agricultural best management practices to provide solutions to many of the problems facing farm owners and stable managers today, such as preserving water quality, proper nutrient and waste management, farm and pasture management, weed control, fencing, pasture rotation, and soil enrichment. When complete, it will be a learning center where research, education and proactive outreach through live demonstrations and twilight seminars will enrich the public’s understanding of how to successfully manage the environmental challenges their farms may pose.
Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center offers a wide range of eeducational materials, such as monthly newsletters, webcasts and fact sheets highlighting innovative manure management resources and programs from across the country.
The mission of the Small Farms Program at Cornell University is to foster the sustainability of diverse, thriving small farms that contribute to food security, healthy rural communities, and the environment by encouraging small farms-focused research and extension programs and fostering collaboration in support of small farms.
The Water Quality and 4-H Small Acreage Livestock Program at URI addresses small acreage livestock pollution issues by training people to train others on BMPs that can be employed on small acreage sites to protect water quality. This program focuses on sites that are 10 acres or less or do not qualify for special USDA assistance grants.
A multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary integrated research project at the University of Vermont is examining to what extent the expanded adoption of rotational grazing would enhance the profitability and competitiveness of small- and medium-sized farms, improve environmental quality, and strengthen rural communities. The project is conducting analyses across three focal watersheds in the following zones: 1) New England, 2) New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, and 3) Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Beginner Farmers of New Hampshire is a farmer to farmer network with the goals of connecting farmers and the community, sharing ideas and information, and accessing technical assistance and agricultural education. Their collaborative efforts help Small and Beginner Farmers achieve their goals, strengthen their communities, boost the agricultural industry and economy, and improve quality of life in New Hampshire.
The New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) encourages more sustainable regional agriculture and promotes small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers. They maintain an extensive resource collection; produce publications; develop and offer innovative, farmer-guided programs; and advocate for policies that encourage sustainable small-scale agriculture.
