Farmers are environmental stewards, but get blamed for bulk of Chesapeake Bay woes

By Kathy Dixon

Using carefully designed nutrient management plans, farmers spoon-feed their crops just enough nitrogen or phosphorous for the plant's root system to absorb these substances.

"We give crops nutrients when they're needed, and following a nutrient management plan eliminates any excess nutrients from running off the field," said Lancaster County crop producer Dwight Forrester. "This benefits the farmer and the environment."

Just like a colander holds spaghetti noodles while the excess water drains off, conservation practices ensure that nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous stay in the ground and don't run off a farm field with the rainwater. Other best management practices such as no-till planting, cover crops, buffer strips, fencing and manure storage sheds prevent runoff as well.

Many farmers are already voluntarily using these practices. Forrester, who works for the Tappahannock regional office of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, said DCR's goal is for 80 percent of the state's farmers to have nutrient management plans. "And I think we're well on our way to meeting that goal," he said. "In fact, in some crop-intensive areas, more than 80 percent of farmers have plans."

Farmers say they work hard to be good stewards of the land, but feel they often get blamed for what goes wrong ...