Farm Management

A cattle barn and barnyard with new eavestroughs The Kawartha watershed is made up of nearly 50% farmland. Agriculture and healthy lakes are two pillars of our vibrant local economy. Farms can have a significant impact on lake health and how you manage your farm can make a big difference. Nutrient management, source water protection and environmental farm planning can all play a critical role in supporting the health and safety of our watershed.

Programs and services

Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative

The Talbot River Healthy Environment Initiative provides technical and financial support for agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the Upper Talbot River subwatershed. Eligible projects include tree and shrub planting, livestock exclusion fencing, alternate watering systems, and more.

Watch these videos of recently completed projects supported by this initiative:

Reducing cattle farm run-off with riparian buffers and eavestroughs

Improving water quality with exclusion fencing for cattle

Using native trees and shrubs to limit stormwater run-off

Strategies for reducing nutrient loading into the environment

Improve water quality with exclusion fencing

What actions can I take?

There are a number of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) you may implement to improve soil and water quality on your farm, and Kawartha Conservation is here to help. Explore the different types of BMPs you can implement on your property, and their accompanying resources, below.

Funding is available for farm BMP projects that improve water quality across our watershed. Learn more and schedule a site visit to support your application for funding.

Control cropland erosion

Follow these tips to control cropland erosion on your farm:

Install grassed waterways
Build water and sediment control basins (WASCoB)
Establish healthy riparian buffer zones next to waterways
Use windbreaks and shelter belts to minimize wind erosion
Plant cover crops
Install tile drainage control boxes

Manage manure, nutrients and runoff

You can manage manure, nutrients and runoff by:

Building manure storage that makes it easier to get the manure in the right place at the right time
Installing water diversion structures that direct clean water away from barnyards and manure storage
Installing fences and alternate water sources to keep livestock away from watercourses

Plant trees

Trees can help reduce runoff and keep nutrients in the soil. Here are a few tree planting tips:

Connect or enlarge an existing forest on your land
Plant a windbreak to protect crops, improve irrigation efficiency and manage snow drift
Utilize marginal land that can't be harvested to plant trees for wildlife habitat

Soil and lake management best practices

Soil management and lake management have the same goal - keep soil and nutrients on the land and out of the water. Using best management practices as laid out by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs can have many benefits, including:

Increasing crop yields and improving soil health
Fewer sediments and contaminants entering waterways
Access to clean drinking water for livestock keeps them healthy and reduces veterinarian costs

Additional resources

Check out these external programs and resources for more information on farm management.

Programs

Resources

Farm stewardship project inspiration

Looking for inspiration? Visit our YouTube channel to check out past farm stewardship projects.

Questions?

Looking to learn more about farm stewardship and how Kawartha Conservation can assist with your project? Contact Ola Pasternak by email or by phone at (705) 328-2271 ext. 242.