AGRICULTURE Agriculture is a key cornerstone of the foundation of the District. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Indiana County has 951 farms that comprise a total of 148,288 acres, with 58% being used for crops compared to 42% for livestock, poultry, and other products. Even with the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the District continued to provide technical assistance to agricultural producers in the county. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the District provided technical assistance and program availability visits to farmers throughout the county regarding drought management, best management practices, soil health, and funding assistance. Additionally, several farm visits were conducted to provide manure management assistance and Resource Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) application guidance. Farming remains one of the most important industries in Indiana County. The District continues to serve our farming community by implementing best management practices to reduce soil and nutrient loss, thereby making the farm more profitable while cleaning up our streams in the process.
This operator is experiencing major runoff issues that are creating a gully (pictured above), eroding soil and allowing sediment to reach a nearby stream. As a temporary measure, the farmer has placed hay bales to try and slow the speed of water. ICCD is working with the farmer to create a permanent solution that will allow him to utilize the pasture.
Pictured above is a crop field next to Crooked Creek that is being washed away by an eroding streambank. ICCD staff visited the site with NRCS representatives to evaluate potential solutions. Fixing this issue will require miles of streambank stabilization.
14
2021 Annual Report
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software