1. New Resources for Managing Poo
Amanda Gumbert
Water Quality Specialist
UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment/KY Division of Conservation
October 27, 2015

3. Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone

4. 2015: 6,474 sq. miles (4.1m acres/size of Connecticut + Rhode Island)

5. 80% P and 71% N coming from agriculture
80% P and 71% N coming from agriculture

6. What’s Going On In Kentucky?

7. Current Situation 90,000+ miles streams and rivers in KY
Agriculture is the leading source of stream impairments in KY (KEEC, 2012)
Affecting 46% of impaired streams

10. Why Should I Care About Water Quality?
Clean water is better for me

11. Why Should I Care About Water Quality?
Photo credit:

12. Why Should I Care About Water Quality?
Clean water is better for me
Clean water is better for my livestock

13. Why Should I Care About Water Quality?

14. Why Should I Care About Water Quality?
Clean water is better for me
Clean water is better for my livestock
Harmful Algal Blooms
Costs money to treat
May result in my water system being shut down (Toledo, OH)

15. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Localized incentive to restrict livestock access from water bodies, manage nutrients

16. How Do We Manage Poo in Kentucky?

17. Agriculture Water Quality Plans

18. KY Agriculture Water Quality Act
10+ acres in agriculture or forestry must develop a water quality plan
Plan includes Best Management Practices (BMPs) to protect water quality
Livestock
Crops
Pesticides and Fertilizers
Farmstead
Forestry
Streams and Other Waters

19. How Do Farmers Develop a Plan?
Use a web-based tool:
2. Use a printed document
3. Get assistance from local Conservation District
Also extension programs can help guide producers

20. Nutrient Management Plans
-Nutrients generated
- Crops grown
plus
-Existing soil fertility
- Without overloading soils

21. Cost Share and Financial Assistance
Kentucky Soil Erosion and Water Quality Cost Share Program (State cost share)
GOAP County Ag Investment Program (CAIP)
NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

22. Cost Share and Financial Assistance
NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
Managing Poo Project
$4 million to put conservation practices on the ground
Livestock operations
Nearing regulatory compliance enforcement
Referral process
Contact Amanda Gumbert or Steve Higgins

23. Associated Issues Help for farmers Conservation District staff
Nutrient Management Planner
Macy Fawns

24. Questions?

25. Amanda Gumbert
Water Quality Liaison
UK College of Agriculture, Food & Environment/KY Division of Conservation