Grants: Agriculture/Pollution Prevention
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Iosco County Gateway Composting Project
November 2000The Iosco County Soil & Water Conservation District developed this project to demonstrate the proper and effective use of composting both in a rural (manure) and urban (yard waste) setting. The project provides for the use of a large, tractor-pulled, wind-row compost turner to 6 agricultural producers and municipalities at a reduced rate to demonstrate the effective and proper use of the equipment. The project identified the many benefits of composting, versus the comparatively higher cost of hauling and spreading the material at an off-site location or landfill. Ultimately, composted material can be used as a fertilizer or as topsoil. A second part of the project will include a composting seminar that will focus on individual and urban landowners and residents. The backyard composting seminar was designed to promote home-based use of composting. Finally, a Composting Fall Tour was held to demonstrate both small, backyard composting techniques and larger-scale, machine turned windrow composting to local officials and the public.
Phytoremediation
April 2000This project, sponsored by Saginaw Valley State University, built on work that has been done by the Saginaw County Health Department that has indicated lead exposure / contamination as a significant problem in the Saginaw By Watershed. This project worked to determine the practical and economic feasibility of using common plants for brownfield remediation of contaminated sites in the region. Studies were conducted at the control site on the SVSU campus, as well as at selected contaminated sites in the region. The study attempted to determine whether phytoremediation is indeed viable, and whether removal of lead from land that is currently vacant or not productive may become possible. Further, given that many residential areas and community gathering places (i.e. playgrounds) contain lead in the soil, this process may permit lead removal while causing little disturbance to current activities at the site.
Filter Strip Education
November 1999Through this project the District worked with the Saginaw Bay RC&D, the Bay and Saginaw Conservation Districts, and the Farm Service Agency to develop a brochure and host a tour for farmland owners in the Tri-County area to inform them about the economic and environmental benefits of filter strips and the availability of federal support to install them.
Integrated Cropping Systems
June 1999WIN’s support was directed at one year of this multi-year project. The purpose of this project is to develop data to demonstrate that reduced tillage practices improve soil health, maintain farm profitability and reduce soil erosion and impacts on water quality. The Innovative Farmers conducted a 5-year test of several cultivation techniques on the standard row crop rotation of dry beans, sugar beets and corn. They demonstrated that conservation tillage techniques generated the same per acre profit, while improving soil tilth and reducing erosion. They are going to continue to cultivate test plots to demonstrate additional techniques that improve returns and reduce impacts on water quality. Crop sales will help sustain the group’s activities in the future. The Innovative Farmers raised more than $49,000 to match WIN’s grant in 1998.
“Earth Tunnel”
June 1999WIN provided funding in two installments for this project. The Earth Tunnel was completed in April 1999, and had its public ‘debut’ at Midland’s Earth Expo at the Midland Civic Arena on April 24, 1999. This mobile, “walk through” display is designed to educate children and adults about the connection between soil and everyday life. Side panels highlight conservation practices used to insure a healthier environment, demonstrate the usefulness of natural habitat in relationship to farming, and explain how vegetables are grown. The Tunnel is available for school programs, fairs, mall exhibits and other displays around the watershed. Funding from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation allowed the Soil and Water Conservation District to purchase a trailer to store and transport the Earth Tunnel. The District charges users $25.00 for each day they display the Tunnel. The charge covers insurance and maintenance on the Tunnel. Users also make a deposit to cover any damage to the Tunnel. The Tunnel was displayed at a recent meeting of the Agriculture/Pollution Prevention Task Group, and was very well received. The District raised more than $15,000 to match WIN’s grant.