Small Scale / Small Field Conservation - Poster Presentation
Arnold D. King and Lynn Betts
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ecological Sciences Division,
Washington, DC, USA
ABSTRACT
Natural resource problems occur on land units of all sizes. The new publication
"Small Scale / Small Field Conservation is intended to help solve natural resource
problems using simple conservation practices and concepts. Meant for small
fields, or relatively small-scale operations, the practices featured can be designed
and installed with a small investment of time and money. The booklet should
serve to give the basics - additional technical help may be necessary from the
Natural Resources Conservation Service at the local USDA Service Center.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
There are an ever-increasing number of small farms and ranches throughout the
world. Financial resources are often limited on these small-scale units and
conservation practices can usually be installed with hand tools, family labor and a
few supplies. The newly released publication "Small Scale / Small Field
Conservation" was designed for use as an education tool to help train people in
the principals of planning for natural resource conservation. It can also be used as
a tutorial for classroom situations for all age groups. The publication contains 25
pages of color pictorials and text.
The common resource problems are discussed and conservation practices
designed to solve the problems are illustrated. A secondary objective is to teach
the "system approach" to planning conservation treatment. A single conservation
practice may solve the problem, but conservation practices work together as a
system to solve a multitude of resource problems.
Alternative solutions to nine common resource problems are discussed. They
include:
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Slowing sheet and rill erosion
1. Residue Management
2. Contouring
3. Stripcropping
4. Contour Buffer Strips
5. Grass/Tree Planting
6. Cover Crops
Stopping Gullies
1. Water Chutes
2. Drop Structures
3. Pipe Structures
4. Grassed Waterways
Reducing Impacts of Wind
1. Crop Residue
2. Cover Crops
3. Windbreaks/Shelterbelts
4. Vegetative Wind Barriers
Managing grazing land
1. Grazing Systems
2. Water Supply
3. Fencing
Managing Plant Nutrients and Pests
1. Nutrient Management Basics
2. Pest Management Basics
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Improving Soil Quality
1. Manage Organic Matter
2. Maintain Chemical Balances
3. Conserve Topsoil
Wetland, Woodland, and
Wildlife Issues
1. Managing Wetlands
2. Managing Woodlands
3. Managing Wildlife
Stabilizing Streambanks
1. Exclusion Fencing
2. Water Crossing
3. Rock Riprap
4. Grass Filter Strip
5. Bioengineering
Farmstead Issues
1. Manure Stacking
2. Composting
3. Water Gutters
4. Heavy Use Protection
5. Diversions
The final portion of the publication discusses "making a plan". The objective is to
bring the information together and formulate a record of decisions, or what is
referred to as a conservation plan.
CONCLUSIONS
This project resulted in a high quality teaching tool for use in the field or
classroom. The original objective was to provide a guidance document for public
distribution at the NRCS field office level. However, it can be used as a tutorial
with an instructor available in a classroom setting. It can also be helpful to an
urban homeowner who wants to know the basic principals of natural resource
conservation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service funded the project. The
development team consisted of the following NRCS employees:
 Arnold King - Ecological Sciences Division, NHQ
 Lynn Betts - Communications Officer, Iowa State Office
 Bill Hughey - Engineering Division, NHQ
 Larry Holmes - National Small Farms Coordinator, NHQ
 Fred Gasper - State Engineer, Michigan State Office
 Lisa Krall - Soil Scientist, New England States
 Stefanie Aschmann - Agroecologist, Watershed Institute, Nebraska
 Charlie Rewa - Biologist, Wildlife Institute, Little Rock Arkansas
Corresponding Author Contact Information: Poster Presentation
Arnold King, NRCS, Ecological Sciences Division, Washington D.C., Office
location is Box 6567, Ft. Worth, Texas 76115, Phone 817-509-3213, Fax
817-509-3210, aking@ftw.nrcs.usda.gov.