Blue Water Farmes: Edge-of-Field Monitoring in Kentucky Soils

The objective of this project is to facilitate the establishment of a network of edge-of-field water quality monitoring demonstration sites in Kentucky collectively known as Blue Water Farms. This work will include establish partnerships with producers and the USDA NRCS supporting Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) eligible producers who wish to take advantage of and participate in the USDA NRCS Edge-of-Field monitoring standard practice. The USDA NRCS EQIP Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring Program As described by the USDA NRCS, voluntary edge-of-field water quality monitoring enables agricultural producers and scientists to quantify the impacts of conservation work on water quality. Through edge-of-field monitoring, NRCS works with producers and conservation partners, such as universities, agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to measure the amount of nutrients and sediment in water runoff from a field, and compare the improvements under different conservation systems. Information from monitoring stations helps producers make informed decisions regarding the use of inputs and conservation practices. These decisions, often called adaptive management, help producers increase economic efficiency while maximizing yields. The information also demonstrates the value of conservation efforts by producers.