|
top
No-till farming
The Mercer County Conservation District owns four no-till seed drills which are
leased at a low rate to the county farmers. These drill sowed 1,600 acres this
year. As a result of this program approximately 85% of all cropland in Mercer
County is no-tilled.
^ Return To Top
Wildlife
Habitat Improvement
There is an increasing interest for Landowners in developing wildlife habitat,
walking trails, restoring native grasses, etc. Twenty-four Mercer County farmers
have developed wildlife habitat and other are in the planning stages.
^ Return To Top
Pollution
Control
With four rivers and approximately 30 dairies in Mercer County, animal waste
control has become a major priority. There are currently approximately 85 animal
waste systems in operation in the county and others being planned.
^ Return To Top
Thistle Control
The district maintains two Broyhill sprayers that are loaned to farmers for the
control of musk thistle, which continues to be a problem in the county.
^ Return To Top
Burn Down Spray
The District purchased a two hundred gallon Broyhill Sprayer to use Round-up
spray in only. The primary uses for this sprayer will be to burn down existing
grass in strips for preparation for tree planting, and to burn down fescue
fields for conservation for native warm season grass planting.
^ Return To Top
Tree Setter
The District has a Whitfield Tree Setter. This setter plants one row of tree
seedlings at a time. The setter is hauled on a specially designed trailer
for easy transport and unloading. In addition, the tree setter is equipped with
a 32" wide sod scalper.
^ Return To Top
Recycling
The district coordinates an office-wide recycling program and purchases recycled
products when possible.
^ Return To Top
Teacher's
Grants and Scholarships
The district offers teachers in all area schools a grant for the purchase of
environmental education materials. The teacher must submit the idea with a list
of materials needed and a cost estimate. Educational materials are also kept on
hand for teachers and students. The District promotes the Ag and Environment in
the Classroom program.
^ Return To Top
Scholarship
The district offers a $750 renewable scholarship to area students entering the
fields of agriculture or environmental science.
We currently have two on scholarships.
^ Return To Top
Dues
The Mercer County Conservation District pays 100% of the dues assessed by KACD
and NACD as well as R.C. & D.
^ Return To Top
|
