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Farm Management

HomeLandowner ServicesFarm Management
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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. Fuel and chemical management, 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

Kawartha Conservation offers the following programs and services to help farmers contribute to environmental conservation. Take part in our programs or apply for one of our landowner grants.

 Seedling sale

Bareroot seedlings are available to landowners in the Kawartha watershed who are undertaking stewardship planting projects which will help improve forest cover and the health of the watershed.

2022 Seedling Sale Updates 

 Native plant sale 

The native plant sale happens each spring and fall and provides native plants for the purpose of shoreline re-naturalization, habitat creation, erosion control, the establishment of rain gardens and low maintenance property beautification. 

Apply for a grant 

Funding may be available for the actions listed below; visit our grants page to learn more.

What actions can I take?

There are a variety of ways that you can help reduce water contamination and improve your farm operation.

Control cropland erosion

Follow these tips to control cropland erosion on your farm

  • Install grassed waterways
  • Build water and sediment control basins (WASCoB)
  • Add terraces
  • 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 the soil 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

Fuel and chemical management

Proper management of fuel and chemicals is important for environmental health and conservation. You should consider:

  • Implementing safe handling and storage of agricultural chemical and fuel
  • Upgrading residential fuel storage

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

  • Source Water Protection
  • Environmental Farm Plan
  • East Central Farm Stewardship Collaborative
  • 50 Million Tree Program

Resources

  • Pond guide
  • Windbreaks
  • Riparian Buffer Fact Sheet

Farm stewardship and lake management videos 

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