West Virginia Success Story

Managing Nutrients in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Program or Category: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

Overview:
Mr. Mathias and his son own and operate a diverse agricultural operation in Hardy County, WV. The operation consists of four pullet poultry houses (which can house 64,000 birds per flock), a relatively large beef herd, 114 acres of crops (corn and soybeans), and other rented hay and grazing land. Mr. Mathias came to the local NRCS field office in February, 2006 for technical and financial assistance to address overwintering of his livestock. He fed his main group of stocker calves out in the open from fall to early spring near open drains and tributaries of the South Branch of the Potomac River.

Accomplishments:
NRCS staff worked with Mr. Mathis to write a Conservation Plan that would address resource concerns on his home farm. Mr. Mathias’ interest was in building a structure that would provide a stable place to feed his livestock over the winter and not be a threat to water quality. NRCS staff secured funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide financial assistance for Mr. Mathias to implement his Conservation Plan. A facility to accommodate confinement of 100 calves during winter was constructed for the purpose of reducing surface and groundwater pollution from excess nutrients and pathogens caused by heavy sediment and manure loadings. The facility includes a waste storage facility, which stores the estimated 300 tons of manure until it can be properly land applied in the spring according to Mr. Mathias’ Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan. Since cattle had been watered out of the stream, a well was drilled to supply water to a trough located inside of the structure. Mr. Mathias was required to fence off the tributary flowing through the stream 35 feet from the top of the bank, and trees were planted to create an adequate buffer and riparian wildlife habitat.

Program Benefits to Landowner:
Mr. Mathias has an easily-accessible, stabilized area to take feed to his cattle during the harsh winter months and is not tearing up his fields. He has addressed the water quality concern on his operation prior to regulation that might someday require him do so without the benefit of cost-share.

Program Benefits to Community:
Improved management of animal wastes and establishment of riparian buffers improve water resources in the county and ultimately, the larger watershed community.

Contact:
Christi Ross Hicks, Soil Conservationist
304-530-2825, Extension 105
Christi.Hicks@wv.usda.gov

Moorefield Service Center
223 North Main Street
Moorefield, WV 26836
Phone: (304) 530-2825, Fax: (304) 530-2086

< Back to 2009 Success Stories