Agricultural Conservation Planning framework

In order to address nonpoint pollution more effectively, the Agricultural Conservation Planning Framework (ACPF) is being used in the Caesar Creek lake region. ACPF uses high-resolution geo-spatial data to identify site-specific opportunities to install management practices across small watersheds. Its main priority is to inform and engage local producers in agricultural conservation by improving soil and water health. With this technology watershed projects can go from demonstration to implementation by identifying priority areas for specific management practices.

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Click the pictures below to learn more about the practices

​Contour Buffer Strips:
Strips of grass alternated with wider cultivated strips that are farmed on the contour and used to slow runoff water, trap sediment, and reduce erosion.
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​Conservation Crop Rotation:
Planting certain crops that reduce erosion and enrich the soil, thus reducing runoff and decreasing the need for fertilizer

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Water and Sediment Control Basin:
Earth embankment or a combination ridge and channel constructed across the slope of a minor drainageway to reduce erosion, trap sediment, and reduce and manage runoff

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​Tile Drainage:
Tile runs are placed into an agricultural field in order to lower the water table. Lowering the water table allows more oxygen in the soil reducing soil erosion, increasing crop yield, and improving water quality.

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​Denitrifying Bioreactors:
 A carbon source is installed in the subsurface agricultural drainage flow to try to reduce the contraction of nitrate nitrogen in the soil.  Enhances denitrification to increase gaseous nitrogen and decrease the amount of nitrate in the water
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​Nutrient Management Planning:
A nutrient management plan gives   farmers information on where to place fertilizer, when, and how much.

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Drainage Water Management:
Process of controlling outflow of drainage water from surface or subsurface agricultural drainage systems that manages the moisture of the soil.

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​Manure Incorporation:
Mixing manure into the soil to keep it in place and prevent runoff
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​Wetland Restoration: 
Returns a wetland to its original condition in order to improve water quality and reduce flooding. This practice
is used in areas where a former wetland was present.

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Cover Crops:
​When planted after the main harvest, cover crops reduce erosion, hold nutrients in the soil, and improve soil health.
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​Variable-rate Fertilization:
Applying scientific fertilizer levels based on the need of each sub-acre. Reduces fertilizer application without risk of losing yield.

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​Subsurface Nutrient Application:
Applying fertilizer below the surface to reduce runoff.

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Underground Outlet:
conduit or system of conduits are placed beneath the ground surface to direct surface water to an outlet to prevent damage caused by concentrated flow erosion, flooding, or ponding.

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Grassed Waterways:
Shaped or graded channel established with vegetation, like grass, to direct surface water to an outlet. This helps to reduce erosion and improve water quality of downstream water bodies.

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Where is acpf being used?

The ACPF is being used in hundreds of watersheds in states across the Corn Belt including Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and parts of Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota to inform and engage local producers in agricultural conservation. In Ohio ACPF is fairly new.

How does it work?

The ACPF is made up of three components:

• A framework based on a sequence of conservation priorities from in-field to edge-of-stream practices
• Databases of field boundaries, land use, and soil data
• A toolbox for use within Esri’s ArcGIS (versions 10.3-10.6 and ArcGIS Pro 2.2) along with the provided databases and high resolution topographic data to generate detailed output maps identifying a broad range of conservation practice opportunities available

Why is it being used?

ACPF has many benefits including: 

• Facilitates targeted conservation
• Supports watershed planning
• Saves time and resources
• Enables local-level flexibility
• Promotes stakeholder engagement
• Provides scientific validity to conservation funding opportunities

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