Methodology
 

Literature Review

-- Sustainable Ag and 
    Watershed Conservation
-- Government Programs
-- Barriers to Conservation
    Farming
-- Creating an Enabling 
    Environment for 
    Conservation Farming
 

Research Project: Conservation Farming in Northfield, MN

--  Watershed Conservation
    on Northfield Farms
-- Government Programs
-- Barriers to Conservation
    Farming
-- Creating an Enabling 
    Environment for 
    Conservation Farming
 
 

In Pictures: Northfield Farms
 

Educational Program Development for Conservation Farming in Northfield, MN
 

Conclusions
 

Acknowledgements
 

Literature Cited
 

Crop Rotation incorporating Perennial Crops and Small Grains
 

One of the farmers I spoke with, Matt, maintains a strip of alfalfa on some of his more rolling land.

Alfalfa provides much more ground cover than row crops, and is therefore used by farmers on more erodible soils or  hillier land to prevent erosion

This winter wheat on the Larsons’ farm has protected the soil from erosion over the winter and is just emerging in this picture, taken in early spring.

Conservation Tillage: No-Till and Minimum-Till
 

The corn stalks on this no-till farm are left on the fields after harvest to provide physical protection from wind and rain, thus decreasing erosion.

These corn stalks on Dave Legvold’s farm have been left undisturbed since harvest last fall.  This spring, he will plant soybeans directly into the soil with a seed drill.

In no-till farming, the root structure of the previous years’ crop helps hold the soil together and prevent erosion.

In this picture, residue from the previous falls’ soybean crop, as well as the corn crop from two years ago, protects the soil from erosion.

Nutrient Management
 
 
 

On the Liebenstein farm, cow manure provides a biologically fixes source of nitrogen fertilizer for crop fields.

Conservation Buffers
 

This grass waterway running through a  field of soybean stubble on the Legvold farm will help reduce erosion and nutrient losses.

This line of American chestnut trees produces a  nut crop each year,and in conjunction with a larger  windbreak provides protection of fields from wind erosion.

Mike Ludwig has planted grasses and trees on his farm in order to attract wildlife.

Conservation Structures
 

This farmable terrace on David’s farm  helps halt the flow of runoff water.

View along the length of a farmable terrace.  The terrace slopes down gently on either side to act as a barrier to the movement of runoff water  and its associated sediment.