Header image  
Creating and preserving
wildlife habitat for over 25 years
 
  
 
P.O. Box 1745
  46 Pennsylvania Ave.
  Easton, MD 21601
  410-822-5100
    info@cheswildlife.org
   
 
 
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Reducing farm inputs while maintaining farm profitability

The main objective of CWH’s Sustainable Agriculture program is to demonstrate the compatibility of profitable farming with enduring natural ecosystems. Our ultimate goal in row crop production is organic no-till. Specifically, the program involves the elimination of farming practices that are known to have a harmful effect upon the environment (e.g. soil erosion, nutrient pollution, insecticides, residual herbicides, carbon release) and the implementation of wildlife and agronomically friendly practices. These would include crop rotations, IPM (integrated pest management), managed buffer strips, soft edges and hedgerows. It is much easier and less costly to reduce the application rate of a pesticide than to clean it up once it has entered the ground or surface water.

In 2005, we continued to improve and refine our demonstration that agricultural profitability and wildlife habitat can be interwoven and that a biologically based farming system is an enduring one. The many coveys of quail on our 540-acre farm on Kent Island help to prove our point. Our farm management plan for Barnstable Hill Farm on Kent Island includes an annual soil test and bi-monthly monitoring of each crop for weed and insect levels so we are able to lime and fertilize according to our soil types, using our nutrient management plan as a guide, and anticipated crop yields. Doing this also allows us to choose the most appropriate means of weed control. CWH has also continued not using insecticides and residual herbicides at Barnstable Hill Farm. We control insects through crop rotation, delayed planting and the use of Bt, and weeds with cultivation and non-residual herbicides instead.

If you would like to speak with someone at CWH to get more information about the Sustainable Agriculture Program, please call Robin at 410-822-5100.
 


 CWH is a proud member of Environmental Fund for Maryland


 

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