HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1984-03-21, Page 354 - The Farm Edition, Week of March 21, 1984
Duron County farmers tackle soil erosion through grassroots conservation
Huron county's soil erosion problems are
being tackled from. the roots up.
About 20 farmers here are involved in
Ontario's fust grassroots Soil and Water
Conservation District to find ways to reduce
erosion on their farms and at the same time,
sustain high' yields.
The District is, supported by four groups:
the 300 -member Huron Soil and Crop
Improvement Association, the Ontario Min-
istry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) and
the Ausable-Bayfield and Maitland Valley
Conservation Authorities.
Their efforts are co-ordinated by an
executive committee and carried out by
Conservation Agronomist Carol Thompson
at the Clinton OMAF office. She is working
with each farmer setting up on-farm plots to
try minimum tillage practices, -terracing and
ridge cultivation.
"I'm encouraging farmers to try these
methods themselves so they gain first hand
experience and see results on their own
farms." -
"This give them confidence to use these
methods again and talk positively about
them with their neighbours."
The District's grassroots approach is
ideal, says Jim Arnold, assistant manager of
soil management and conservation for
OMAF's plant industry branch.
"It allows farmers to tailor their conserva-
tioikoethods to their area's unique soil
conditions and erosion problems. Sharing
special equipment is also possible when a
small group of local farmers is involved - and
that really cuts costs."
Promoting new tillage practices also
involves re-educating farmers, which is mpst
easily done at a local level, he says.
"Tillage and cropping practices are
farmer dependent. They must fit into his
system of operation, his soil type and his
management style."
"Promoting these at the local level helps
farmers realize that a change in tillage and
cropping practices is a must before structur-
al controls can be completely effective."
A 1982 OMAF study outlined to area
farmers the need for a grassroots conserva-
tion group, says Don Lobb, District
chairinan who has been using conservation
tillage practices on his farm for the past
The District's grassroot approach is ideal, says Jim Arnold, assistant manager of soil
management and conservation for OMAF's plant industry branch.
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three years.
The study showed that erosion cost%
Huron county $6.8 million annually in lost
production - the second highest total erosion
in the province.
"The grassroots organization was also
formed because area farmers were becomink
increasingly concerned about yield losses
due to erosion and were looking for leader-
ship and technical expertise," he says.
The District has held ,several , workshops
and information meetings, including an
on-farm conservation tour to interest farm-
ers in conservation measures and show them
how these can be used to save their soil, and
at the same time sustain high yields.
Tom Prout, general manager of the
Ausable-Bayfield - Conservation Authority
says the organization of the District is
unique and he hopes other counties will
follow Huron county's lead.
"The District is similar to a co-operative.
All agencies work together to set direction
and policy and function as an information
centre for farmers."
He says the conservation authorities are
working with farmers in the District to find
ways to stop soil erosion from affecting
water courses.
He says he thinks it is realistic to expect
positive results from the District's work
within the next three to four years.
"1 hope the trend is slow but continuous to
give us time to learn how to carry, out soil
conservation management, protect the water
courses and at the same time, sustain high
yields."
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