Troup routinely worked with NRCS to update and implement his conservation plan. Over the years, projects have included tile, contour strips, grassed waterways, conversion to a no-till system, a poultry litter storage, and a forest management plan. Mr. Troup continued conservation efforts with the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) in 2010 and again in 2015. When it came time to turn things over to the next generation, the newly created BDS Farms LLC was ready to continue the family’s conservation legacy. Lamar’s children signed on to take over the CSP contract in 2017.

In 2019 another potential renewal for CSP was discussed. Lamar and his son in law, Chris Harvey, stated that they had recently begun to raise some beef feeders. The beef herd was introduced to diversify the operation and, while they only had a small herd, they were already interested in expanding. However, concerns needed to be addressed while feeding the herd. The herd was fed in the pasture, and this combined with an unimproved run-in shed had led to an animal concentration area (ACA). Nutrients and sediment from this ACA could reach a spring fed waterway which contributed directly to Middle Creek. NRCS staff suggested that instead of renewing the CSP contract, BDS Farms should instead sign up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

NRCS began working with BDS Farms to develop a conservation plan that would address resource concerns contributed to the beef herd. NRCS staff worked with the operators to develop an engineer’s inventory and evaluation (I&E). The I&E identified resource concerns on the farm and conservation practices that would successfully address those concerns. At the same time, other staff worked with Chris to develop a prescribed grazing plan to protect the pastures from overgrazing and nutrient buildup. The operation also planned to update the current nutrient management plan (NMP) and include the practices identified by the I&E. Together, the I&E, grazing plan, and NMP completed a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP). The NRCS considers a CNMP to be required planning for any conservation practice dealing with the handling of manure.

With the CNMP complete, BDS ranked high enough during the 2021 EQIP ranking cycle to be offered funding. The EQIP contract would provide incentive payments to help cover the associated costs with the practices identified in the CNMP.  The contract included Heavy Use Area Protection (HUAP) and Waste Storage Facility (WSF). The HUAP and WSF, combining with several associated practices and Prescribed Grazing, would protect the pasture and eliminate the ACA. This would eliminate a source of sediment and nutrients that contributed to the designation of Middle Creek as an Ag-Impaired Watershed.

Since the contract was signed in 2021, BDS Farms LLC has continued to implement all structural practices. The design was completed in the fall of 2021 allowing for construction to commence. The operation is currently working with NRCS to complete the EQIP contract. BDS Farms is thrilled with the resulting HUAP and WSF structure. It not only protects water quality, but also has resulted in cleaner, healthier livestock. The structure was even essential in outreach to a neighboring farmer who had begun to work with NRCS on a similar project. Lamar and his family look to continue the conservation legacy and have signed up for the CSP program once again.