USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Dr. William Puckett recently announced a sign-up for the Gulf of Mexico Initiative (GoMI). The initiative is designed to help farmers in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas improve water quality and ensure sustainable production of food and fiber.
The Alabama priority watersheds include the Weeks Bay (Upper Fish River, Middle Fish River, and Lower Fish River) in Baldwin County and the Escambia River (Canoe Creek and Pine Barren Creek–Sandy Hollow) in Escambia County, Alabama.
Financial assistance is available to help producers apply sustainable agricultural and wildlife habitat management systems that will focus on reducing soil erosion, improving water quality, and improving wildlife habitat on cropland, pastureland, and hayland. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis; however applications for 2014 funding must be received by May 16.
Some of the conservation practices include:
- Installing grade control structures to stabilize eroding gullies
- Implementing precision agriculture to reduce chemical application overlap and protect sensitive environmental areas
- Increasing adoption of residue and tillage management, cover crops, and conservation crop rotations to reduce sheet and rill erosion and improve soil organic matter, which will result in cleaner runoff and improved water quality
- Planting grass and trees to stabilize eroding areas
- Installing cross-fences and watering facilities to facilitate grazing distribution
- Controlling cattle access to streams to improve water quality and streambank stability
- Planting and managing native plant species to improve wildlife habitat and to assist with restoration of a multitude of declining species
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