ONONDAGA COUNTY SOIL &

WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

2571 Route 11, Suite #1 LaFayette, New York 13084

Phone: 315-677-3851 X5 Fax: 315-677-3971 Email: info@ocswcd.org

Your advertisement

$200 per year= 4 issues!

Call us at 315-677-3851 X5

Conservation Quarterly

Onondaga County Soi l & Wa ter Conserva t ion Dis t r ic t

Volume 10, Issue 1 Winter 2012

“Promoting excellence in the wise use of our rural and urban natural resources.”

BICENTENNIAL FARM RECOGNITION

At the New York State Agricultural Society’s 180th Annual Forum on January 5th in Liverpool, Onondaga County’s Hill Villa Farms of Memphis was recognized as a Bicentennial Farm. The Farm, presently owned by Robert K. Hill, Jr. has been in the family since 1810 when it was part of land purchased by Deacon Isaac Hill. Robert Hill Jr. and his son Robert Hill III now operate Hill Villa Farm on Route 5 just east of Elbridge as a cash crop operation, having sold the cows in 2003. The land has been farmed by the Hill Family for over 200 years, and will continue to be farmed for at least an additional 100 years thanks to a conservation easement that will keep it in agriculture for that long. Robert Hill Jr., his wife Shirley, and Robert Hill III have been very active in the Elbridge and the agricultural community and have received numerous awards related to agriculture over the years. Congratulations to the Hill Family for this outstanding achievement.

By Mark Burger, Executive Director

2012 CNY REGIONAL ENVIROTHON

COVANTA ENERGY DONATES $5,000 By Maggie Connelly, Secretary

Donation to help high school student environmental education program

Covanta Onondaga presented a check for $5,000 as a contribution to the 2012 Central New York Re-

gional Envirothon. The Envirothon is a pri-vately funded program for high school stu-dents to learn more about our natural envi-ronment. This year marks the 15th consecu-tive year that Covanta has pledged their sup-port. “Covanta is proud to support the Envi-

rothon and environmental education programs like it,” said Kathleen Carroll, Covanta Onondaga busi-ness manager. “We’re happy our contribution can educate students on the environment and the critical fields of science and engineering.”

Located in Jamesville, NY, Covanta Onondaga provides sustainable waste dis-posal and renewable energy for the county and greater Syracuse region. The facility processes about 990 tons of municipal solid waste per day, generating almost 40

megawatts of renewable energy that in turn is sold to National Grid. Covanta Onondaga also recovers and recycles approximately 10,000 tons of ferrous metal annually. This year also marks the departure of Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District; they have joined the Western Finger Lakes Regional Envirothon to cut travel costs and try to increase school participation. Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison, and Chenango county schools will compete at the Friends of Rogers Environ-mental Education Center in Sherburne, NY on April 25th and 26th. Onondaga County will be represented by 20 teams

Our new logo!

Continued p. 7

The CNY Regional Envirothon Com-mittee accepts check from Kathy Carroll and other Covanta representatives.

Page 2 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

EPA TIRE COLLECTION SUCCESS

By Jeremiah Eaton, Resource Conservation Specialist

The District’s pilot tire collection has exceeded expectations in both number of interested farmers and quantity of tires recycled through the proposed watersheds in Onondaga County. By collecting the waste tires from partici-pating farms, we helped to reduce the number of disease carrying pests such as rodents and mosquitoes. Mosqui-toes breed in the stagnant water that collects inside tires and they pose a concern since they can carry West Nile

Virus and other diseases. In addition, large tire piles are a risk if they catch fire and release thick black smoke and other pollutants. Approximately 25 land owners recycled tires on their farms in the Otisco Lake and Onondaga Lake watersheds. Our proposed num-ber of tires to be recycled (4,000) was increased to an estimated number of 5,400 tires or 69 tons. The tires were recycled at Seneca Meadows landfill in Waterloo, NY. The facility has the technology to chip/shred the tires into an aggregate that is used in place of stone for leachate collection in their landfill system which collects gas to produce electricity. Other uses for tire-derived aggregate in place of stone include: roadside fill projects, foundations, and septic leach fields. Many thanks to EPA, Riccelli Enterprises, Seneca Meadows, and the participating land owners in making this project a great success.

Contractors involved with soil disturbance on SPDES (State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permitted construction sites are required to have at least one employee on site daily that has received the mandatory DEC 4 Hour Erosion and Sediment Control Training. Under the NYS Department of Environ-mental Conservation’s Stormwater Permit GP-0-10-001, all developers, contractors and sub-contractors MUST identify at least one trained individual from their company that will be responsible for implementation of the SWPPP, and have at least one trained individ-ual on site on a daily basis when soil distur-bance activities are being performed (effective May 1, 2010). Also, developers must have a qualified inspector conduct regu-lar site inspections in accordance with GP-0-10-001. Qualified inspectors and trained individuals must have 4 hours of training in the principals and practices of erosion and sediment control

Shown is Riccelli Trucking’s trailer being loaded by Beak & Skiff staff with tires that were collected during this program.

EROSION & SEDIMENT CONTROL TRAINING

By Doug Fisher, Program Manager

endorsed by NYS DEC, SWCD, or CPESC, Inc. Training is good for 3 years. Training is not required for CPESC, LA’s, and PE’s. Upon completion of the course, each participant will re-ceive a NYS DEC Storm-water training number and date on a wallet card as proof. This training DOES NOT allow contractors to conduct their own Qualified Weekly Inspections. Onondaga County staff has been actively working with the Syracuse Builders Exchange to provide this training on a regu-lar basis since January 2009. We encourage you to schedule a renewal class at the Syracuse Builders Exchange (437-9936 X 25), or for larger groups call us direct (677-3851 X 5) and we might be able to bring our training to your facility.

The 4-hour training course - good

for 3 years.

ONONDAGA COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Board of Directors:

F. Spencer Givens III, Chair, At-Large Rep. Craig Dennis, Vice-Chair, Practical Farm Rep. Annette Raus - Farm Bureau Representative Wayne Norris, Treasurer, Grange Rep. Brendan Whelan, At-Large Representative David Knapp, County Legislative Rep. Derek Shepard, Jr., County Legislative Rep.

Staff:

Mark Burger, Executive Director Maggie Connelly, Secretary Gwyn Olenych, Account Clerk I Doug Fisher, Program Manager

Christopher Creelman, Resource Conservation Specialist Ron Bush, Conservation Technician Jeremiah Eaton, Resource Conservation Spec. Mark Schaub, Resource Conservation Spec. Alan Masters, Resource Conservation Spec.

Phone: 315-677-3851 X5 Fax: 315-677-3971

E-mail: info@ocswcd.org

Website: www.ocswcd.org

SKANEATELES LAKE WATERSHED AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM

Watershed Agricultural Program Review

Committee (WAPRC)

Mike McMahon, Chair, Cortland Co. Steve Nemec, Vice Chair, Cayuga Co. Jim Greenfield, Onondaga Co. Ed Tidd, Onondaga Co. Mark Tucker, Onondaga Co. Vern Filkins, Cortland Co. Dale Kehoe, Cayuga Co. Lee Macbeth, City of Syracuse Rich Abbott, City of Syracuse

Staff:

Mark Burger, Program Manager Ryan Cunningham, Design & Implementation Eric Jensen, Farm & Nutrient Mgmt Planner

Phone: 315-677-4630 Fax: 315-677-4628

E-mail: slwap@ocswcd.org

Website: www.ocswcd.org

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Valerie Podolec, District Conservationist Elizabeth Fish, Soil Conservationist

Phone: 315-677-3851 X3 Fax: 315-677-3971

Website: www.nrcs.usda.gov

Page 7 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

from 10 high schools in the county and Greater Syracuse region. Students will compete to solve environmental problems in

aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and the 2012 current environmental issue “Nonpoint Source Pollution and Low Impact Development”. The competition ends with an oral pres-entation, based on the current envi-ronmental issue. The winning team from each county will compete at the New York State Envirothon May 23rd & 24th, at Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY. From

there, the State winner moves on to compete in the Canon En-virothon July 22nd through the 28th at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. You can visit the website at www.nysenvirothon.net.

The Envirothon experience is a unique approach to environ-mental education. The idea is simple – combine the proven concepts of hands-on education with the excitement of a good competition and the fun of spending a day outdoors. The re-sult? Students become environmentally aware, action-oriented adults; our schools benefit from the program’s effective educa-tional tools, a constantly changing curriculum – it builds strong ties between schools and the organizations that can help them teach a practical, interdisciplinary brand of environmental awareness.

Looking back to the Envirothon 2011 - students arrive for a day in the great outdoors.

EXTRAS

Ron Bush, who in addition to writing AEM farm plans will be managing the SLWAP’s conservation rental equipment and may be contacted at 677-2851 ext. 115.

Green Up the County - the District has sold almost 10,000 trees, shrubs and fruit bushes during its annual tree sale, sur-passing last year’s sales by 40% - a very green spring in Onondaga County! Thanks to all who support the program.

The District completed more than 150 Soil Group Work-sheets for landowners applying for an Agricultural Assess-ment. The Agricultural Assessment Program was estab-lished under Agricultural District Law to provide a means of preserving farmland. It is designed to provide a partial ex-emption from taxation for farmland.

Keeping you posted on our move, which is expected within the next couple months. Our new address will be 6880 Onondaga Lake Parkway, Liverpool, NY 13088.

Continued from p. 1

By Ivy Allen, USDA‐NRCS Public Affairs Specialist

UNDERSTANDING CONSERVATION COMPLIANCE

Page 6 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

The concern for soil erosion in the United States dates back to the days of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson; however, it wasn’t until the dust storms of the 1930s, which resulted in tremendous crop and farm loss, that Congress took action to ad-dress concerns of soil health.

In the 1970s, high demand for farm commodities led Congress to create a new crop subsidy incentive that led to mass farming production on sensitive land. By the mid‐1980s, new federal action was needed to confront the problem of soil erosion.

In 1985, Congress passed and signed into law the Food Security Act of 1985, parts of which are other-wise known as the “Farm Bill.” The Act contains the “sodbuster” and “swampbuster” provisions, which require USDA participants to meet certain criteria. This criteria is covered in the Conservation Compli-ance Provisions.

Still today, anyone participating in a USDA pro-gram or applying for one must meet and maintain the standards defined in the Conservation Compliance Provision. To maintain Conservation Compliance and your USDA program benefits, find out if any of the land you operate on is designated as “Highly Erodible Land” (HEL) or as “Wetlands.”

The compliance provision is targeted to affect wet-lands or land susceptible to erosion problems. The objective of the Conservation Compliance Provisions is to ensure that benefits provided as Farm Bill funds: 1) reduce soil loss due to wind and water erosion; 2) protect the Nation’s long-term capability to produce food and fiber; 3) reduce sedimentation and improve water quality; and 4) assist in preserving the functions and values of the Nation’s wetlands. All of these ob-jectives foster good land management practices.

When a field is designated as highly erodible, it must be protected from excessive soil erosion by ap-plying an approved site‐specific conservation system or plan. NRCS works with farmers and other land-owners to assist them in meeting the requirements of the Act and therefore maintain eligibility for USDA programs.

When agricultural land is designated as wetland, it will receive a classification (label) that will inform you of po-tential limitations. Many of these wetlands can still be farmed, but with certain limitations, including draining, leveling, dredging, filling and clearing. If a wetland is al-tered without first requesting a determination, the land owner/operator may become ineligible for USDA pro-gram benefits un-til the wetland is restored or miti-gated.

The Natural Resources Con-servation Service (NRCS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA) in New York are working together to raise awareness among current and potential USDA customers of the im-portance of complying with these provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985 so they do not become ineligible to participate in USDA programs. The joint effort is de-signed to prevent land owners and farm operators from engaging in activities which would unintentionally violate the Conservation Compliance Provision of this Act and to help identify areas of noncompliance so that mitigation efforts may help the USDA customers retain their pro-gram benefits.

If you are unsure about undertaking an activity on the land that could result in the loss of USDA bene-fits, visit the Onondaga County USDA Service Center at 2571 US Route 11, LaFayette, NY and file an AD ‐1026 form with the Farm Service Agency. A Highly Erodible Land or Wetlands determination can be made upon request. Requests should be made at least 60 days prior to project start date. Article submitted by Valerie Podolec, District Conservationist, USDA-NRCS, LaFayette Field Office

Looking at an HEL field. Proper crop rotation and structural practices will be used to address erosion.

Page 3 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE 2012 By Doug Fisher, Program Manager

The construction season for 2012 has “officially” started in Onondaga County. Our implementa-tion staff has scheduled numerous site showings for April with Bid Openings following the site showings, usually 1 week later. The Sealed Bid projects have been advertised in the Syracuse Post

Standard approximately 1 week prior to the site showing date. If you have missed these announcements, and would like more information feel free to call our office at 677-3851 X 5 and ask what projects are on the hori-zon. Contractors must pre-register for the site showings in order to secure a Bid Packet. Cost of all Sealed Bid Packets is $20.00 Non-refundable. Site Showings held to date are:

CoVale Holsteins Composting Heavy Use Area Pad Pumpkin Hollow Farm Soil Management-Waterway, Diversion, Underground Outlet Wetumpka Farm Barnyard Runoff Mangement/Pasture Management Murphy Farm Barnyard Runoff Management Maplehurst Farm Access Roadway, Clean Water Exclusion

Much more activity and Bid results will appear in our next edition.

12’ Aerway $5.00/Acre or $100/Day

Manure Incorporation

Odor control

Pasture Aeration

Residue Management

Break Compaction

8” Depth

10’ Great Plains No-Till Drill $9.00/Acre

Soybeans

Native Grasses

Small Seeds

Buffer strips

7.5” or 15” rows

Plant 3 seeds at once!

Wildlife management areas

6 Row No-Till JD 1750 Planter $10.00/Acre

Plant your:

Corn

Soybeans

Pumpkins

No-Till Coulters; Row Cleaners; Can run conven-tional; 30” Rows

CONSERVATION EQUIPMENT FOR RENT

2012 RATES

$100 Insurance/Delivery Fee

on all equipment.

Additional $2.00/mile fee -

from county line to destination

if outside SLWAP or Onondaga

County.

A $100 cleaning fee will be

charged on invoice if equipment

is NOT returned clean;

including mud between coul-

ters, material inside fertilizer

boxes, and seed boxes.

No charge for any buffers, field

borders or filter strips installed

inside Skaneateles Lake Water-

shed.

CALL RON BUSH:

(315 ) 677 -3851

ex t . 115

Page 4 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

FUNDING FOR ON-FARM ENERGY ORGANIC, HIGH TUNNEL & AIR QUALITY CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

By Elizabeth Fish, Soil Conservationist - USDA/NRCS

All four initiatives offer technical and financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The On-Farm Energy, Or-ganic and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives are available statewide, but the Air Quality funding is limited to counties with identified priority areas of concern.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. This year, there will be 3 ranking periods for the initiatives: February 3, March 30 and June 1. The Air Quality Initiative has two ranking dates which end February 3 and March 30.

On-Farm Energy Initiative

NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that as-sess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommen-dations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling opera-tions and similar facilities to support the farm operation.

Organic Initiative

NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conserva-tion practices for organic production. New for fiscal year 2012, applicants will be evaluated continuously during the ranking periods. Applications meeting or exceeding a threshold score may be approved for an EQIP contract be-fore the end of the ranking period. Applications rating below the threshold score will be deferred to the next pe-riod. A new threshold score will be established at the beginning of each ranking period. This new scoring process allows organic producers to implement conservation practices in a timelier manner.

Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative

NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that ex-tend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. More than 4,000 high tunnels have been planned and implemented nationwide through this initia-tive over the past two years.

Air Quality Initiative

NRCS helps producers address air quality concerns on their operations. Assistance includes establishing cover crops, planting windbreaks, implementing nutrient management practices and applying other conservation meas-ures that mitigate and prevent air quality problems. Conservation practices installed through this initiative reduce airborne particulate matter and greenhouse gases and conserve energy.

If you want to sign up or have questions concerning the EQIP program and the initiatives, contact the NRCS at

(315)677-3552 ext 3.

PLANT COVER CROPS AFTER CORN SILAGE

Page 5 Conservat ion Quar ter ly Volume 10, I s sue 1

By Eric Jensen & Alan Masters, Resource Conservation Specialists

Corn silage fields have little post-harvest residue cover and pose greater risks for soil erosion and nutrient runoff as compared to fields with hay or high-residue crops. Year after year cropping of silage corn often results in reduced soil organic matter leading to increased compac-tion and storm runoff problems. One of the best ways to properly manage these environmental concerns is to plant a winter annual cover crop immediately following corn silage harvest. A winter annual cover crop can effectively provide protection to the soil as a physical barrier against rain storms and runoff. A growing cover crop such as winter rye may absorb up to 25 pounds on average

of excess soil nitrogen that otherwise would not be avail-able to the following crop. Since fertilizer nitrogen is ex-pensive, this saved value could offset some of the seed cost. Early planting is critical for plant establishment and to pro-duce adequate growth. The more growth produced the more benefits like soil protec-tion and nitrogen absorption. Over time, a cover crop’s root biomass improves soil struc-ture and increases organic mat-ter. Organic molecules re-leased from cover crop roots also increase soil aggregates and improves water infiltration. To receive the most bene-fits from a cover crop in New York, an October 1st planting date is highly recommended by the USDA NRCS. The best

choices available are winter wheat or winter rye planted at a minimum 100 pounds per acre. They will live through the winter and continue to grow in the spring providing protection to the soil. The cover crop can be terminated at 8-12” of height with a contact herbicide or harvested as a forage at boot stage later in May. The District utilized EPA funding and Onondaga Lake Partnership funding to start a cover crop project this fall (2011) with farms in the Onondaga Lake watershed. From our observations this fall, our two primary lessons learned go hand-in-hand: 1) either broadcast or no-tilled cover crops can succeed when the planting date is followed and 2)

minimize tillage to gain the most benefit from your cover crop- reduced soil ero-sion, reduced nitrogen losses, and less fuel use. Consider trying an early season silage corn variety in the 85-92 day range for an earlier harvest, to manage this Octo-ber 1st planting date, which is a require-ment to meet the NRCS standard when utilizing grant funds. The nitrogen sav-ings, reduced soil compaction, reduced soil erosion and runoff potential, plus increased organic matter are all signifi-cant benefits. As a steward of the land, a cover crop practice after silage corn will help improve soil quality now and for generations to come. For more information on cover crops, including possible funding/reimbursement programs contact the SLWAP or Soil & Water Conservation District at (315) 677-3851 X5. Broadcast winter rye.

Drilled winter rye.

Winter wheat on HEL slope.

Winter wheat on HEL field above Otisco Lake.