Using prairie filter strips next to crops to protect Wisconsin water

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Prairies of the past could be a modern conservation tool for Wisconsin farmers.

Native prairie plants can act as a sponge and slow soil runoff from rain. Research from Iowa State University shows planting dense, diverse and deep-rooted prairie strips next to corn and soybean fields has environmental benefits.  

Sand County Foundation is working with six farmers to demonstrate how prairie strips work on Wisconsin farms of varying soil types, typographies and management styles...

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Ken Notes: I live on the Sugar river in Albany Wisconsin and the silt is a real problem. Simple deep-rooted prairie strips could all but eliminate this problem over time, alas we want to mandate change rather than sit down and work with farmers.

It drives me crazy that we would rather go to war than solve the problem. Farming is tough, 500 to 1,000 smaller dairy farms have closed shop in the last year alone while CAFO`s are increasing. We will lose the very farmers that built the State and will be dealing with mega farms that can buy political favor and policy.

I urge every land conservancy, green organization, and environmental lobby to reach out to state farmers. Ask how can we help and can we partner to bring our forces together to create a special agriculture environment in the state.

Unless of course we think CAFO`s are the way to go...