Relevant

Lancaster:  On December 11, the Ag Issues Forum of The Lancaster Chamber highlighted local and state efforts that will help the region in addressing the anti-pollution regulations that are a part of a new mandate from the federal government to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.

Some local farmers participated in a program to reduce the amount of fertilizer that they use as a part of an American Farmland Trust "Best Management Practices Challenge".  The reduction in fertilizer earned credits for putting conservation practices in place that can then be sold to other entities that are mandated to reduce discharges.  Mount Joy Boro has purchased such credits in the past.  The credits in this program were donated instead to the Lancaster Farmland Trust for their use in local conservation efforts.

Locally, the LFT has worked with farmers on no-till farming and the development of conservation plans.  The Trust specifially reaches out to Plain Sect farmers.  The goal is sustainable agriculture in Lancaster County that takes responsibility for the local role in cleaning up the Bay.

For more information, contact Gary Willier at The Lancaster Chamber at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Don McNutt at the Lancaster County Conservation District at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .