- By Diane Emmons
- Around Town
In support of AEM, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network will be providing signs that state “Lake-Friendly Farm” to agricultural operations within the watershed that are implementing AEM Best Management Practices.
The AEM process is divided into Tiers I through V. Tier I begins with an in-depth farm assessment by SWCD who work with farmers to identify environmental risks and the Best Management Practices that can help reduce and prevent environmental degradation. The Best Management Practices are tailored to each enterprise and might include creating an alternative water source that keeps livestock out of a creek, improved manure storage, and plantings to reduce erosion.
SWCD and other AEM Certified Planners can nominate farms to receive an award sign once they have reached Tier IV, the point at which a farm has started implementing the recommended practices. Nominations will be accepted until March 10, 2006 with the announcement of recipients in August at Lakefest, the annual meeting of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network.
This program is being adapted from Ontario County’s Lake-Friendly Farmer program by the Joint Agricultural Committee that provides on-going support to the Watershed Network and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (IO). The Joint Agricultural Committee consists of farmers; staff of SWCD, Cooperative Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service; agricultural consultants; and volunteers with the Watershed Network and IO. The Joint Agricultural Committee will have the prime responsibility for selecting those nominees that are eligible to receive a Lake Friendly Farm sign and the Watershed Network will be responsible for the overall program.
This program has received support from the Farm Bureaus of Cayuga, Seneca and Tompkins Counties, Tompkins Trust Company, and from county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD).
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