How We Conserve Land
Conservation Practices
Every industry has its own version of “best management practices.” In agriculture, we often refer to them as conservation practices. They are specific management practices a farmer implements to protect or conserve the natural resources of their farm. These practices serve the environment and, in turn, serve the farmer.
Agricultural conservation practices help eliminate unnecessary soil and nutrient loss. Using conservation practices balances the need to have “working” agricultural lands and protect natural resources.
Protected
Conservation work is most impactful when completed on preserved farms.
The permanent protection of farmland is a best management practice on its own, as keeping farmland intact increases our soil’s ability to soak up water, reduces runoff and improves ground water recharge. Additionally, public investment of dollars in conservation has the highest chance of sustainability when installed on permanently protected farmland. In our experience, there is no better way to assure the viability and sustainability of agricultural best management practices than to place them on farmland that will never be paved over.
Nearly every farm in Lancaster County uses one or more conservation practices.
Some examples include no-till planting, cover crops, manure storage units, concrete barnyard areas, grass waterways, terraces, streambank fencing, livestock crossings in waterways, planting along the natural contours of the landscape, and planting in strips.
