Thorndale Demonstration Farm Tour听
On September 5, 糖心直播 (UTRCA) stewardship staff hosted a public tour of the Thorndale Demonstration Farm, showcasing the suite of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented on the farm that are aimed at improving and protecting soil health and water quality. The tour highlighted innovative drainage practices including the contoured controlled drainage system, newly installed StormTech storm water retention system, and two Water and Sediment Control Basins (WASCoBs). The tour highlighted听tree and pollinator plantings as BMPs, and field management practices including crop rotations, cover cropping, and conservation tillage. 听
Staff shared details about the project design, installation, and maintenance, as well as how they are monitoring the effects of the BMPs on the quality and quantity of water leaving the field. Len Duynisveld, a poultry producer and cash crop farmer in Thames Centre, shared his experience with controlled drainage as well as his use of cover crops incorporated with other soil conservation practices. The tour was well attended, and included farmers and landowners, members of the drainage community, staff from neighbouring conservation authorities, and project partners. There was great conversation throughout which included knowledge sharing from staff and participants about their own experience using these practices. Thanks to all who attended!听
For more information on the Thorndale Demonstration Farm, please visit this earlier article.听
