Ag in a Warming Climate
Thursday Dec 8, 2022 at 7PM
Climate change will cause reduction in agricultural productivity locally and in many regions of the world.
Dr. Mitch Wagener, Professor of Ecology & Climate Ecology at Western Connecticut State University, will lead a talk that discusses exactly what is causing the loss in agriculture and what changes we can implement.
Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (PRWC) will share resources on best practices to help farmers adapt to climate pressures, mitigate soil erosion, manage nutrients and manure, and grant funding opportunities to implement solutions.
This program is part two of a three part series on "Current Issues Surrounding Climate Change" hosted by Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust.
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World Water Day / National Ag Day
Tuesday March 22, 2022 from 7 to 8:30 PM
Join us for conversation about local water quality conditions, preventing runoff, managing manure and nutrients, building resiliency to flooding and drought, along with strategies to enhance your existing stewardship practices and funding opportunities for project implementation.
Presenters include:
Carol Haskins, PRWC Executive Director
Sarah Ammirato, NRCS Soil Conservationist
PRWC is here for you as a resource and welcomes the opportunity to connect with you one-on-one about potential management strategies and partnerships for securing grant funds that support on-the-farm conservation projects.
CLEAN WATER: AN AGRICULTURAL ESSENTIAL
RESOURCES
To learn more about what you can do around your home and yard to help keep water clean, click on the links below.
Water Quality and Quantity Data Links
Connecticut Department of Agriculture - CT DOA
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Conservation Options for CT Farmlands
(Guide from American Farmland Trust / CT Farmland Trust)
National Resource Conservation Service - USDA NRCS
One Good Idea
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Discover Good Ideas that improve your soil, land, and bottom line. One Good Idea is a multimedia clearinghouse where farmers can learn from other farmers about how to be successful and profitable with soil health and other stewardship practices. Because, sometimes, all you need to start or succeed
is that one good idea. One Good Idea is a collaborative effort between farmers and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension specialists from across the U.S. Midwest and Mid-South to help all farmers make a difference for their operations, their communities, and the world.
Best Management Practices by Topic
General Conservation
Guide to Conservation Planning for Agricultural Lands, USDA & National Conservation Planning Partnership
Water Quality Best Practices Overview, USDA
Conservation Success Stories, USDA library of 2-minute videos highlighting a variety of successful conservation practices at work.
The Nine-Step Conservation Planning Process, NRCS
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), USDA
Permanently Protecting Agricultural Farmland through Easements, Connecticut Farmland Trust
Manure Management
Revised winter and wet weather manure spreading guidelines to reduce water contamination risk, Cornell University, Publication No. 245 (Dec 2015)
"Winter Manure Bans Begin Going into Effect" American Agriculturalist (Dec 2019). Highlights winter manure spreading bans and guidelines in the Northeast.
Equestrian Facilities
Good Horse Keeping - Best Practices Manual for Protecting the Environment, CT Horse Environmental Awareness Program (2011)
Agricultural Management Practices for Commercial Equine Facilities, State University of NJ - Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Bulletin E296 (May 2004)
How to Properly Manage Manure by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Equine Extension Specialist University of Connecticut
How Horse Enthusiasts Can Help Protect Water Bodies by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Equine Extension Specialist University of Connecticut
Pasture: Planning, Seeding and Sacrifice Areas by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Equine Extension Specialist University of Connecticut
Pasture: Evaluation and Management of Existing Pasture by Dr. Jenifer Nadeau, Equine Extension Specialist University of Connecticut
Soil Conservation
Soil Health Best Practices Overview, USDA
USDA Healthy, Productive Soils Checklist for Growers, USDA
No-till Vegetable Production, by Shuresh Ghimire, Extension Vegetable Specialist, U-Conn Extension, May 2020
Soil Nutrient Analysis, UCONN College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
Pasture Rotation
Four Steps to Rotational Grazing, Penn State Extension, College of Agricultural Sciences, 2000.
Pest Control
Integrated Pest Management Program, UConn Extension. Look for categorical fact sheets relevant to fruit, vegetable, nursery, and others.
Streamside Buffers
The Importance of Streamside Buffers by Rivers Alliance of Connecticut
Lake and Stream Corridor Owners’ Guide for Riparian Buffer Establishment, Southeast Michigan Resource Conservation & Development Council
Benefits of Buffers Presentation by Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (June 2022).
Climate Change
USDA Climate Hub – Northeast Region
USDA Climate Hub - Northeast Region - Water Quality
USDA Climate Hub – Northeast Region - Storms and Stream Crossings
USDA Climate Change, Your Forest, and You (Northeast)