Catchment-sensitive farming

Catchment-sensitive farming is a sustainable agriculture program developed by the Environment Agency and Natural England that aims to protect watersheds from pollution by agricultural runoff. It offers grants to farmers to help develop environmentally sustainable farming methods that limit the contamination of nearby bodies of water. From January to July 2013, over £11 million worth of grants had been issued. In addition to funding, Natural England offers free advice, farm inspections, and training programs to farmers.

The goal of Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) is ultimately to improve the environmental impacts that farms have on our Planet. Farmers are advised by the CSF project, where they use trained, experienced staff to teach farmers about the methods that can be used. Farmers are taught about the following subjects: manure management, nutrient management, soil condition, pesticide management, and farm infrastructure. Catchment Sensitive Farming has teamed with four different organizations to help farmers:The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the Professional Nutrient Management Group, The Rivers Trust, and The Voluntary Initiative.

The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board discusses soil management to increase productivity as well as decrease farming’s impact on the environment. If soil structure is sub-par, then crop growth is sub-par, and soil loss will enter rivers and streams polluting the environment. For proper management of soil these steps are necessary to take-assess the soil, soil sample, cultivation to improve soil, and protect the environment. To assess the soil health, and structure a soil pit is dug. Once the soil pit is dug the soil is sampled and analyzed. Information is collected in regards to nutrient content and pH of the soil, and micro nutrients are examined by broad spectrum analysis. The third step, cultivation and rotating the soil improves both soil structure and health. During cultivation and rotation the farmer’s must be educated on visual signs of compaction, and know when to cultivate arable soil. The final step for soil management according to The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board is to minimize farmer’s impact – reduce and prevent runoff through the use of banks, buffer strips and tramline management.

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Wikipedia