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Easygrants ID: 24063 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation NFWF/Legacy Grant Project ID: 0603.10.024063 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants 2010 - Submit Final Programmatic Report (Activities)
Grantee Organization: Lancaster Farmland Trust
Project Title: Streambank Fencing on Amish Farms in Lancaster County (PA) Project Period 01/01/2011 - 12/31/2012
Award Amount $100,000.00
Matching Contributions $35,000.00
Project Location Description (from Proposal) The project will focus on the Mill Creek watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Project Summary (from Proposal) Implement and evaluate streambank fencing on seven preserved Amish farms in the Mill Creek watershed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Project will identify barriers to implementation of best management practices on Amish farms and install 25,200 linear feet of streambank fencing, 10 livestock crossings, and alternative watering systems as needed.
Summary of Accomplishments Through the grant entitled, “Streambank Fencing on Amish Farms in Lancaster County (PA),” Lancaster Farmland Trust developed, implemented and evaluated a streambank fencing project on Amish farms in the Mill Creek watershed. To accomplish the objectives of the project, Lancaster Farmland Trust engaged its unique relationship with the Amish community to identify the social, cultural and economic barriers to the implementation of best management practices (BMPs), focusing on streambank fencing. With barriers identified and strategies to address objections in place, the Trust worked to educate landowners in the watershed about BMPs and implement 22,770 linear feet of streambank fencing and 11 livestock crossings on 14 farms.
Lessons Learned Working with the Amish community for 25 years has taught Lancaster Farmland Trust that the best way to affect large scale change in the Plain Sect community is to bring about small scale change among individuals. Because the Amish are slow to adopt change, modifying the behavior of an individual has the potential to change the behavior of the community. The concept of “individual influence,” community connections, and relationships were key to the project’s success.
In addition to identifying and overcoming barriers to implementation, Lancaster Farmland Trust encountered the following challenges: -Survey, design work and livestock crossings were more expensive than originally anticipated.
-The presence of wetland plants and hydric soils on select farms initiated the need for a wetland inventory, which prolonged the permit approval process - causing significant construction delays.
-Construction for each of the projects was challenging to coordinate. Farmers’ schedules, season changes, and delayed permit approvals caused delays.
Conservation Activities Initiate visit(s) to individual farmers in three priority watersheds Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of visits completed)
Value at Grant Completion 14
Conservation Activities Conduct assessments of individual farms
Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of assessments completed)
Value at Grant Completion 14
Conservation Activities Design fencing systems and obtain permits
Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of fencing system plans designed (with permits obtained))
Value at Grant Completion 9
Conservation Activities Develop 5-year operation and maintenance plan Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of plans developed)
Value at Grant Completion 9
Conservation Activities Execute maintenance agreement
Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of agreements signed)
Value at Grant Completion 9
Conservation Activities Construct fencing and livestock crossings
Progress Measures Linear feet of livestock exclusion fencing installed with less than a 35-foot buffer
Value at Grant Completion 18,770
Conservation Activities Construct fencing and livestock crossings
Progress Measures Linear feet of livestock exclusion fencing installed with at least a 35-foot buffer
Value at Grant Completion 4,000
Conservation Activities Mass balance calculation of nutrient reduction determined by comparing pre and post levels of nitrogen
Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (Lbs. of nitrogen reduced) Value at Grant Completion 1,404
Conservation Activities Mass balance calculation of nutrient reduction determined by comparing pre and post levels of phosphorous
Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (Lbs. of phosphorous reduced)
Value at Grant Completion 543
Conservation Activities Partnered with LCCD to implement fencing and buffers on additional farms Progress Measures Other Activity Metric (# of additional farms where fencing and buffers were installed)
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Chesapeake Bay Stewardship FundFinal Programmatic Report Narrative
Lancaster Farmland Trust - Grant ID 24063
“Streambank Fencing on Amish Farms in Lancaster County (PA)”
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Briefly describe your project, including a description of the problem your project is trying to address, the project’s objectives and strategies, as well as the project location, and a characterization of the watershed and the relevant characteristics of the community’s natural resources, population, and economy.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency has identified South Central Pennsylvania as one of three hot spots in the Chesapeake Bay watershed with unacceptable levels of manure nitrogen in surface, ground and drinking water. Eight watersheds in Lancaster County have been targeted for the assessments through the EPA’s “Agricultural Assessment Initiative.” Three of the watersheds targeted by the EPA are in the Mill Creek watershed.
The Mill Creek watershed has high levels of nitrogen in surface waters. Animals with unrestricted access to waterways on farms cause a direct discharge of manure into the water. This discharge of nutrients yields a high delivery ratio to the Bay. Installing streambank fencing limits livestock access to the streams, reducing streambank erosion and nutrient discharge. Based on the terrain and subsurface soil composition, implementing riparian buffers and riparian buffers in conjunction with fencing, stabilizes streambanks, filters out additional nutrient and sediment, and provides an environment in which habitat can thrive.
The Mill Creek watershed is home to a large population of Old Order Amish farmers. Most Amish farmers do not accept financial assistance from government cost-share programs. In addition to the significant financial investment required to install structural upgrades like streambank fencing, Amish farmers are often concerned that streambank buffers will result in the loss of crop and pasturelands.
Through the grant entitled, “Streambank Fencing on Amish Farms in Lancaster County (PA),” Lancaster Farmland Trust developed, implemented and evaluated a streambank fencing project on Amish farms in the Mill Creek watershed. To accomplish the objectives of the project, Lancaster Farmland Trust engaged its unique relationship with the Amish community to identify the social, cultural and economic barriers to the implementation of best management practices (BMPs), focusing on streambank fencing. With barriers identified and strategies to address objections in place, the Trust worked to educate landowners in the watershed about BMPs and implement 22,770 linear feet of streambank fencing and 11 livestock crossings on 14 farms.
SUMMARY OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS
In four to five sentences, provide a brief summary of the project’s key accomplishments and outcomes that were observed or measured.
and plant riparian buffers as appropriate. Lancaster Farmland Trust conducted extensive education and outreach to all farmers in the watershed about streambank fencing and its benefits. The project resulted in a more definitive
understanding of barriers to the implementation of streambank fencing on farms within the Amish community, and how those barriers can be addressed and overcome.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES & OUTCOMES Activities
Developed overall work plan and established responsibilities. Lancaster Farmland Trust’s Deputy Director met with TeamAg Inc. and Comprehensive Land Services to discuss grant objectives, finalize the project plan, and assign duties as necessary.
Coordinated efforts with representatives of the Mill Creek Preservation Association. The Trust’s Deputy Director and the president of the Mill Creek Preservation Association discussed the project and identified potential interested farmers in the watershed. Comprehensive Land Services attended one Association meeting to announce the project, distribute information, and seek support.
Developed criteria and prioritized farms in the Mill Creek watershed. Lancaster Farmland Trust developed criteria used to rank all farms in the Mill Creek watershed. The Trust identified 34 target farms based on ranking, and assigned the highest priority to 14 farms with significant stream frontage; directing targeted efforts towards those farms that have been preserved through Lancaster Farmland Trust or the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board. Long-standing relationships had already been developed with these landowners, which increased the likelihood for timely implementation.
Developed printed materials to explain the program.
Sent a letter announcing the project and availability of funds to all 160 farmers with stream frontage in the Mill Creek watershed.
Developed informational fact sheet about streambank fencing for use at farmer meetings and farm
assessments. Comprehensive Land Services and Lancaster County Conservation District (LCCD) assisted with distribution to farmers throughout the watershed. The fact sheet was also distributed during initial consultations with Lancaster County landowners who expressed interest in preservation.
Highlighted project in the spring 2011 edition of the Trust’s “Open Views” newsletter, sent to 3,000 Trust supporters and owners of preserved farms.
Highlighted project in spring 2011 “Smart Farms” newsletter sent to 400 landowners who have preserved their farms through Lancaster Farmland Trust.
Initiated visit(s) and conducted assessments of 14 priority farms. Lancaster Farmland Trust scheduled visits with 14 landowners identified in the prioritization. Assessments included an evaluation of on-farm conditions and stream characteristics; the identification of barriers to the implementation of streambank fencing; and the distribution of educational materials about fencing and its benefits. TeamAg Inc., Comprehensive Land Services and LCCD were engaged to provide technical assistance at assessments when necessary.
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Drafted and obtained landowner agreements from participating farmers. Lancaster Farmland Trust evaluated andmodified a sample maintenance agreement for the fencing projects, provided by TeamAg. The agreement details the landowner’s responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of the fencing systems and livestock crossings. The agreement includes a property description, BMP implementation summary and a five year maintenance plan, which ensures the longevity and performance of the project.
Designed fencing systems and obtained permits. Lancaster Farmland Trust engaged TeamAg Inc. to complete design specifications for projects on nine farms. Design was unique for each property and factored in on-farm characteristics, farmer and herd needs, as well as environmental goals for the specific project. TeamAg Inc. conducted an engineering survey on each property and submitted six general permit applications for livestock crossings to the Bureau of Watershed Management, PA Department of Environmental Protection.
Selected and hired one excavating and two fencing contractors through a competitive bid process.
Constructed streambank fencing and cattle crossings on farms. Engaged contractors to install 16,870 linear feet of high-tensile, multi-strand, electric streamside fencing and 11 livestock crossings on nine farms. Worked with the Lancaster County Conservation District to install an additional 5,900 linear feet of fencing on five farms – for a total of 22,770 linear feet on 14 farms. Riparian buffer work is in process on five of the project farms, with additional buffer work to be completed in spring 2013. Approximately 4,000 of the total linear feet of fencing installed were implemented with a 35 ft. setback.
Executed maintenance agreement. Each landowner has signed a five year maintenance agreement that includes an exhibit outlining the management plan for their property. Lancaster Farmland Trust will confirm compliance with the management plan through an annual monitoring visit throughout the life of the agreement, thus ensuring the sustainability of the project.
Conducted outreach workshops for farmers about BMPs, highlighting streambank fencing.
Hosted four workshops for landowners to discuss technical and financial resources available for the implementation of BMPs. The streambank fencing project and other available resources were highlighted. More than 5,000 invitations were sent to farmers in targeted watersheds, including the Mill Creek watershed, and 130 farmers attended. Trust staff followed up with landowners after the workshops to provide additional guidance and assistance.
Partnered with the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board and the Lancaster County Conservancy to host one workshop for landowners and municipal officials entitled, “Protecting, Preserving, and Stewarding: A Workshop for Landowners to Conserve Lancaster County’s Working and Natural Lands.” The workshop highlighted the tools and funding resources available for the protection of agricultural and natural lands. One session was devoted to BMPs including riparian buffers. Approximately 1,700 invitations were sent, and 70 municipal officials and farmers attended the workshop.
Outcomes
Identified social, cultural and economic barriers to implementation of BMPs on Amish farms.
Through this project, Lancaster Farmland Trust has identified the following barriers, and the associated methods used to address and/or overcome those barriers.
To overcome this barrier, Lancaster Farmland Trust has sought alternative, private funding sources for implementation. Securing private funding has allowed the Trust to offer financial assistance, through its Smart Farms program, that Plain Sect farmers feel comfortable accepting. The Trust continues to encourage the Plain Sect community to take advantage of federal cost-share opportunities, but broad community participation in these programs remains exceptionally rare.
Physical Setbacks - Significant setbacks, as required by most government cost-share programs, cause management concerns for farmers in Lancaster County. Plain Sect farms in Lancaster County are small; an average size of 60 acres. While small in comparison to the national average (400+ acres), these farms are viable because they comprise the most productive non-irrigated soils in the nation – producing impactful crop yields. The scale of farms in the county, along with commodity prices, make conversion of this land to non-productive riparian buffers problematic. This dichotomy forces farmers to make management decisions which have accidental environmental impacts. For example, pastureland along stream corridors is common
throughout the county –because farmers cannot operationally or financially afford to convert prime farmland into pasture and exercise areas. This concern is compounded by the fact that this has been traditional
management practice for generations and change among this community is often slow.
To address this barrier, the Trust encouraged farmers, through education and outreach, to implement “adaptive fencing” – fencing with a flexible setback. While the environmental and management benefits associated with 35 foot buffers were communicated, most farmers preferred a smaller setback due to the aforementioned reasons. The Trust worked with farmers to determine a setback which was conducive to their operation, while still achieving water quality benefits.
Establishment and maintenance of buffers – Plain Sect farmers take pride in the visual appearance of their farms, and can unintentionally cause negative environmental consequences when making their property aesthetically pleasing. Culturally, the community views “overgrown” stream buffers as poor property
management, therefore many farmers frequently mow, trim and allow livestock access to these areas to avoid scrutiny by their peers.
Lancaster Farmland Trust utilized education and outreach to address this barrier. Through one-on-one
consultations, farmer workshops and the distribution of printed materials, the Trust worked to educate farmers about the environmental benefits of fencing and buffers – and how these benefits help the farmer and
outweigh aesthetics.
Culture – The Plain Sect agricultural community in Lancaster County is conservative and slow to adopt change. The Amish are also reluctant to seek advice from beyond their community, and therefore, have less access to mainstream agricultural education.
This barrier to implementation is why Lancaster Farmland Trust is the ideal organization to lead this effort. Over its 25 year history, the Trust has established strong, trusting relationships with the Amish community. Nearly 75 percent of farm families who preserve their farms through the Trust are Amish. Lancaster Farmland Trust has established positive and credible lines of communication with key members of Amish church districts, and regularly consults with members of the Amish Steering Committee. The success of the project hinged on this unique relationship.
Increased awareness of benefits of streambank fencing in the Amish community.
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The second layer for increasing awareness was engaging community connections to “spread the word.” Offering workshops, with an opportunity for peer-to-peer networking among Plain Sect farmers, was a key strategy of the project. Amish farmers are more likely to change their practices if they learn from other Amish farmers who have already experienced success with new practices. Bringing farmers together to share information and encouraging them to talk with their friends, family and neighbors extended the reach and increased the impact of the project. Lancaster Farmland Trust will continue to develop this unique relationship to spur additional water quality improvements.
Improved the health of the Mill Creek watershed and the Chesapeake Bay.
Lancaster Farmland Trust engaged TeamAg Inc. to perform a mass balance calculation of nutrient reduction determined by comparing pre and post nutrient levels. The implementation of streambank fencing and cattle crossings has achieved annual reductions of 1404 pounds of nitrogen and 543 pounds of phosphorous into the watershed.
These reductions will aid Lancaster County and Pennsylvania in meeting aggressive reduction goals and will ultimately improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
This project is an important piece in Lancaster Farmland Trust’s overall water quality efforts in the Mill Creek watershed, which include:
Writing Ag E&S and nutrient management plans for farms in the watershed through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Partnering with the Department of Environmental Protection, Franklin and Marshall College and LandStudies to provide stewardship and maintenance of a wetland restoration project at Big Spring Run. The legacy sediment removal project is the first of its kind to be substantiated by pre and post restoration data, and will provide valuable insight into this new method for reducing nutrient and sediment loading in the Chesapeake Bay.
Collaborating with LandStudies on a project to utilize LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to identify potential locations in Lancaster County for stream and floodplain restoration through the removal of legacy sediments. The goal of the project is to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution, improve water quality, and assist municipalities in meeting MS4 and TMDL requirements.
Partnering with West Lampeter Township to conduct assessments on farms in the township to determine if landowners have implemented conservation plans and to inventory the best management practices in place on farms. The project has the potential to identify a new model that utilizes agricultural BMPs as a
nontraditional, more cost-efficient means for municipalities to meet water quality standards.
4. Challenges and Lessons Learned
Describe any specific challenges that have arisen during the course of the project and how they have been addressed. Also describe the key lessons learned from this project, such as the least and most effective conservation practices or notable aspects of the project’s methods, monitoring, or results. How could other conservation organizations adapt their projects to build upon some of these key lessons about what worked best and what did not?
In addition to identifying and overcoming barriers to implementation in the Amish community, Lancaster Farmland Trust encountered the following challenges during the project:
economical than originally budgeted and offset the overage. In addition, the Trust was not able to secure a single contractor to handle both the installation of livestock crossings and fencing construction – which increased costs, delayed project implementation, and consumed staff time for coordination.
Wetland Inventory. The presence of wetland plants and hydric soils on select farms initiated the need for a wetland inventory at the request of the Lancaster County Conservation District. The inventory triggered a more detailed review of the permit application by LCCD and prolonged the approval process - causing significant delays in the timing of construction.
Scheduling of construction. Construction for each of the projects was challenging to coordinate. Farmers’ schedules, season changes, and delayed permit approvals caused delays.
Time intensive consultations. Trust staff and project partners spent considerable time in discussions with farmers about streambank fencing, buffers and livestock crossings. This investment of time, though significant, was essential to securing landowner commitment to the practices. The long standing relationship the Trust has established with many of these farmers helped to bridge the concept into implementation.
All of these challenges were addressed through careful oversight of the project. Lancaster Farmland Trust worked closely with partners, farmers and contractors to ensure the timeliest completion of activities. Revising and adapting the project plan to account for these challenges will be useful to other organizations undertaking similar efforts, and to the Trust as it administers similar implementation projects in the Mill Creek watershed and throughout Lancaster County.
5. Dissemination
Briefly identify any dissemination of lessons learned or other project results to external audiences, such as the public or other conservation organizations.
Lancaster Farmland Trust will utilize lessons learned through this project, as we implement similar projects in other impaired watersheds throughout Lancaster County. This project can also be replicated in other areas of the Chesapeake Bay watershed with similar agricultural and cultural profiles.
To disseminate results of the project to other landowners in Lancaster County, the Trust:
Incorporated information about the project, various BMPs and their benefits into 785 annual monitoring visits with owners of preserved farms and 70 informational visits with farmers interested in preservation.
Discussed streambank fencing and riparian buffers at the Trust’s spring 2013 Smart Farms workshops series attended by more than 70 farmers and community members.
Encouraged Plain Sect landowners in the watershed to talk with their families, friends and neighbors about their involvement in the project and its benefits. Followed up with farmers for referrals.
To disseminate results of the project to other conservation organizations, the Trust:
Prepared and delivered a presentation entitled “Farmland Preservation; Saving Land and Improving Water Quality,” about the relationship between preservation and water quality at the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association’s (PALTA) 2012 annual conference. Highlighted project.
Presented at a workshop, entitled “The Role of Land Trusts in Water Conservation” at the 2012 Choose Clean Water Coalition annual conference. Highlighted project.
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Will incorporate information about the project in a presentation with the Lancaster County Conservancy entitled “Protecting, Preserving and Stewarding Together; Doubling Conservation through Land Trust Collaboration” for PALTA’s 2013 annual conference.
Lancaster Farmland Trust will also disseminate the results of this project to Lancaster County municipalities who are interested in exploring how agricultural BMPs can help them meet TMDLs without implementing costly structural upgrades. This unique theory of municipalities employing, and potentially investing in, “green infrastructure” on farms could transform how municipalities achieve and sustain water quality goals.
As an approved technical service provider through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Lancaster Farmland Trust will utilize experience gained through this project to provide other grantees with guidance and assistance on various education, outreach and implementation projects.
6. Project Documents
Lancaster Farmland Trust has uploaded the following documents as supporting materials for this final report: “Before and after” photos of two project farms.
