Wisconsin Buffer Initiative 1

Special Project since:
Special project farm for the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative 2003 - 2005

Family:
Pete, Theo and Charlie Knigge

Location:
4577 Poygan Ave., Omro, WI 54963 (Winnebago County)

Enterprises:
Dairy and grain

Research and advisory team:
The research and advisory team for this project is included in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative Report available at http://bombadil.lic.wisc.edu/WBI/index.htm

Research opportunities:
The Knigge Farm was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative because of its location in Northeastern Wisconsin on the red clay soils. These soils have high rates of runoff, and this farm offered tremendous opportunities to study the benefits of installing a buffer prior to water entering an area of concentrated flow.

Conservation practices:
This farm has implemented a number of effective conservation practices including grass waterways, nutrient management planning, conservation tillage and setbacks from water bodies.

Monitoring in place:
WBI Stations
Knigges cooperated in the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative study under the guidance of Dr. John Norman. This study used a lower cost monitoring system including the installation of Coshocton Wheel Water Sampler which serves to split down the flow of water into a manageable amount.