It is anticipated that selected Discovery Farms will be in the program for 3-5 years. The collection of base farm data will take a few months and then the identification and implementation of practices will take another period of time. Monitoring outcomes and costs will be done for the remainder of the program.  Practices that are cost-shared may need to be maintained for a period of time greater than the program (7-10 years).

Requirements for Participation

• Must operate a functioning agricultural enterprise representative of the industry.
  
  
• Must have or be willing to develop a soil conservation plan reducing soil loss to tolerable level (T). The farm does not have to currently be within tolerable levels, but must be willing to adjust management practices to reach T during the study.
  
  
• Must have or be willing to develop a nutrient management plan that, at the minimum, provides nutrients at the nitrogen needs of the crop. A second nutrient management plan will be developed for the operation based on phosphorus management. A comparison of the differences in crop production, management practices, equipment needs, labor requirements and financial impacts of following a phosphorus based nutrient management plan will be evaluated.
  
  
• Must be willing to share financial information so the cost of adopting changes in management practices can be identified. Discovery Farms need to provide information on the current costs of storing and handling manure, level of nutrient crediting currently being taken, hauling distances, labor and management requirements.  This will provide the baseline information necessary to determine the cost of proposed environmental regulations.
  
  
• Must be willing to adopt changes in farming practices and to keep track of how these changes affect labor requirements, equipment needs, increases or reductions in purchased nutrients, and affects on yield an profitability.
  
  
• Willingness to participate in field days or meetings to discuss their experiences with other farmers.

 

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