2015 EQIP Edge of Field Water Quality Monitoring
Farmers and landowners in Arkansas have until July 17, 2015, to submit applications to receive financial assistance through the En
vironmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to monitor edge of field water quality on agricultural lands in 149 targeted watersheds throughout the state.
Through edge-of-field monitoring, NRCS works with farmers and conservation partners, such as universities and non-governmental organizations, to monitor the amount of nutrients and sediment in water runoff from a field, and compare the improvements under different conservation systems. Conservation practices typically evaluated include planting cover crops and using no till, irrigation water management, and practices to reduce and trap nutrients and sediment.
Landowners will work closely with one or more of the monitoring partners including the USDA Agricultural Research Service, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (UofA), UofA Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Arkansas State University. These groups will assist NRCS with monitoring activities within their respective watershed once landowners are approved and equipment has been installed.
Monitoring stations enable NRCS to measure at the edge of farm fields rather than try to estimate conservation effects from in-stream measurements that are subject to influences outside of the farmer’s control. Edge-of-field monitoring, combined with instream monitoring, can provide a more thorough picture of improvements within a watershed.
The financial assistance, available through EQIP, helps farmers install and maintain the monitoring systems for up to nine years.
The results of data collected will be maintained confidentially for farmers’ use and for use by the conservation partners responsible for monitoring.
Interested farmers should contact their local USDA service center for more information.
