1. Working to Improve Water Quality

2. Accelerating Riparian Buffer Adoption to Enhance Water Quality and Farm Income USDA-CSREES Extension Education project funded in 2000

3. Three component approach Multi-faceted educational program Demonstration sites Peer-based outreach program

4. Peer-based Outreach Program “FarmLink” - farmers or other rural leaders individually contact farmers and landowners to promote buffer adoption

5. “FarmLink” – Promoting Conservation One-to-One

6. FarmLink Advisor Selection Criteria Local farmer/landowner (possibly semi-retired) Local farmer/landowner (possibly semi-retired) Well-respected, recognized as a leader Well-respected, recognized as a leader Strong conservation ethic Strong conservation ethic Good communicator Good communicator Motivated, positive attitude, out-going Motivated, positive attitude, out-going Well-kept farmstead Well-kept farmstead 4 individuals selected 4 individuals selected

7. Shell Creek FarmLink Program Some Accomplishments/Impacts 42 individuals contacted by advisors 28 signed intent form 15 contracts executed 61.3 ac. of conservation buffers ~20 ac. of grassed waterways control runoff from ~225 ac. ~41 ac. of stream-side buffers filter runoff from ~2000 ac. protect 12,200 ft. of streambank >$73,800 payments over life of contracts

8. Shell Creek FarmLink Program Additional Accomplishments/Impacts One advisor also installed 10.4 ac. of buffers 1.1 ac. grassed waterway control runoff from >30 ac. 4.3 ac. streamside buffer filter runoff from ~200 ac. protect 5,282 ft. of streambank 5 ac. of cropland planted to grass erosion reduced ~20 tons per year wildlife habitat established >$10,000 payments over life of contract

9. Accelerating Conservation Practice Adoption to Enhance Water Quality Sponsored by the PrairieLand RC&D Council (Shell Creek) and Lower Platte North Natural Resources District (Duck Creek) with funding provided via the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality utilizing EPA Clean Water Act, Section 319 dollars

10. David P. Shelton Professor Biological Systems Engineering and Extension Agricultural Engineer Rod Wilke Extension Project Coordinator

11. Cooperative Effort Among

12. Current Priority Areas with additional conservation- practice funding SHELL CREEK WATERSHED (Including Loseke / Taylor Watershed)

14. Objective Enhance water quality by increasing the adoption of conservation buffers and other best management practices

15. Practices Continuous No-till Continuous No-till Conservation Buffers Conservation Buffers Nutrient Management Nutrient Management Onsite Waste Water Treatment Systems Onsite Waste Water Treatment Systems Decommissioning Out-of-Service Wells Decommissioning Out-of-Service Wells

16. RAISING THE STANDARD in the DUCK CREEK WATERSHED

17. Duck Creek Watershed Water-Quality-Improvement Accomplishments Phase I Accomplishments Twenty Nine (29) EQIP applications Twenty Four (24) NSWCP applications Nearly 700 Acres of No-till ~ $207,000 for dirt work (terraces, tile, basins) (29 producers) Three wells sealed Three septic system upgrades

18. THANK YOU