Rock River field walk highlights farmers' efforts to curb phosphorus runoff

Governor Jim Douglas today joined Franklin County farmers and watershed groups at their Rock River Field Walk as part of Vermont s fourth annual Clean Water Day.
Clean Water Day is held annually in June to celebrate the work of Vermonters to improve water quality around the state and to renew the state s commitment to the goal of clean water for all Vermonters.
The field walk highlighted the innovations and progress in agricultural practices that are currently being piloted and used on a number of farms around the county. Wayne and Nancy Fiske of Windfall Acres hosted the event. The Fiskes are leaders in farmers efforts to reduce soil erosion and phosphorus runoff from annual crop and hay land and improve agricultural practices.
The commitment of countless farmers throughout Franklin County, and the state as a whole, to improve water quality is truly outstanding, the Governor said. The stewardship of Vermont s waters is everyone s responsibility farmer and city dweller; year-round resident and seasonal visitor and Vermonters take this responsibility seriously.
The Friends of Missisquoi Bay and Farmers Watershed Alliance, which sponsored the annual event, highlighted recent advances in practices being used on Vermont farms, including reduced tillage methods, changing crop rotations, nutrient management planning, installing grassed waterways and riparian buffers, and improving cover cropping through the use of seed drills, aerators, and roller/crimpers. All have been shown to reduce agricultural runoff and/or erosion.
Brian Jerose, of WASTE NOT Resource Solutions, who helped organize the event, noted the importance local implementation projects. It is when Vermont farmers test and use these practices on their farm s soils, generating watershed-specific results, that farmers become more confident that water quality protection and economically sustainable agriculture are compatible.
Other speakers included Dr. Heather Darby of UVM Extension, who discussed projects involving high-residue cropping systems and Kip Potter, on assignment with the Agency of Natural Resources Center for Clean and Clear. Potter described his work identifying areas in the Rock River watershed that are likely to be the most susceptible to erosion and/or suitable for reduced tillage methods.
For more information about water quality efforts in Vermont, visit www.anr.state.vt.us/cleanandclear.
Source: Governor's office.