 By: Tess Flynn-Belles, Natural Resource Specialist
Hey all! It’s your old Uncle Conservation here and I’ve got a secret for you. And let me tell you, it’s a good one. Especially if you or someone you know lives near a stream which, let’s be honest, is the entire county. Ok, gather ‘round now. Ready for it? You can clear trees and woody debris out of a stream… WITHOUT A PERMIT!!! Holy Cow!! Did I just blow your mind?! I did, didn’t I?
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 By: Kevin Brown, Ag. Resource Specialist
Yes, that is what I said, a garden that takes no work. This is a picture of our garden here at the office. I mulched it, planted it, spent maybe 15 minutes (total) weeding it at different times, and am now harvesting it. I know there are a lot of non-believers out there. My wife said it wouldn’t work. My co-workers said it wouldn’t work and wanted to know who was going to be the one spending the time needed to weed and water it. My response was, “if it works the way it is supposed to, no one”. Even my mother said that when she read the first gardening article, I put out there, “I couldn’t believe your name was associated with it. You never wanted anything to do with a garden”. And she is right, I still don’t. But Voilà ! Here we are. I can handle a garden if I don’t have to do anything to make it a garden. Doesn’t everyone like to have super fresh vegetables if all they have to do is go pick them? Well, you can.  By: The Bradford County Conservation District
If you read last week’s article discussing stream permit options, there was mention of a “new” permit option for Bradford County. In this week’s article, we’ll discuss the evolution of that permit, what it is, and how you would go about qualifying for it. By: Jonathan VanNoy, Natural Resource Specialist
Last week we talked about how stream regulations protect people, and what NOT to do in streams. This week’s topic is about how to get permits when stream work IS needed. The first call you should always make with any stream work questions is to the Conservation District at 570-485-3144.  By: Jonathan VanNoy, Natural Resource Specialist
This is a question that we at the Conservation District hear with various wording on a fairly consistent basis, but especially after flooding events. The statement is exaggerated to make a point, but the emotion that I hear behind it is sincere. “WHY am I not allowed to protect my property!?’ By: Tess Flynn-Belles, Natural Resource Specialist
On September 3, 2019, the Bradford County Commissioners will open the application period for a new round of the successful County Stream Initiative Program. Since 2006, the Commissioners have worked with the Bradford County Conservation District to implement this program which has completed over 80 stream restoration projects, many of which have helped protect threatened homes and businesses from streambank erosion. As a result, over 21,000 feet (or 4 miles) of degraded streambank has been rehabilitated. Other accomplishments include annual sediment reductions of approximately 7,300 tons resulting in nitrogen and phosphorus reductions of 18,000 pounds and 7,300 pounds, respectively. Additionally, nearly 8 acres of forested riparian buffer have been created or enhanced adjacent to these completed projects. Some of the Best Management Practices that have been used to complete these projects are rock rip-rap toe protection, barbs, weirs, stacked rock walls, and log deflectors.  By: Kevin Brown, Ag. Resource Specialist
It is that time of year again. For the very important, local people that bring food to your table, it is the time of year to be thinking about how I am going to manage, and even improve, my field health through the winter months. (This goes for gardens too). Typically, we have given our fields a rest for the winter. Sounds like a good idea, right? Everything needs a rest. Well, in this case, a rest is basically the starvation of the very soil life that we need to help us grow food. Look up any kind of article or research on soil health. Two of the things that good soil health requires are to always keep it covered and have a living root in the ground. Soil biology feeds off living roots. Take away the root, take away the food. Take away the food, everything dies. You are left with the D word (dirt- which is not even a word in most soil professions). Why do we want a field to work for us 4-5 months out of the year and against us 7-8 months of the year? It just doesn’t make any sense. Read some articles from other parts of the country. They will tell you that they couldn’t make a living on one crop per year. They need multiple crops per year. It would help us an awful lot here too. How do we do this? Cover crops.  From left: Nick Martin, Brooke Ostrander, Deb Manchester, Stephanie Manchester, Rich Manchester, Theron Binford III and Austin Jelliff By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader
Ernest Manchester is a name to be remembered if you enjoy the natural resources of Bradford County. The scholarship in his name is open for application until September 30th each year.
 By: Nathan Dewing, Agricultural Team Leader We all know that perfection is the enemy of progress. How many times does that project around the house get stalled because you are waiting for everything to line up just right? I have always admired my dad, a life-long farmer, for his ability to get things done. I have affectionately joked that I may know how to get things done right, but my dad knows how to get things done! Progress. Farmers have never had the luxury of perfection. They have to feed the world. |
AuthorsVarious staff at the Bradford County Conservation District Archives
December 2019
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Bradford County Conservation District
Stoll Natural Resource Center 200 Lake Road, Suite E | Towanda PA 18848 Phone: (570)-485-3144 |
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