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West Virginia Success Story
Water Concerns Addressed for Two Local Farmers with AMA
Program or Category: Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA)
Overview: Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) provides cost share
assistance to agricultural producers to voluntarily address issues such as water
management, water quality, and erosion control by incorporating conservation
into their farming operations.
Producers may construct or improve water management structures or irrigation
structures; plant trees for windbreaks or to improve water quality; and mitigate
risk through production diversification or resource conservation practices,
including soil erosion control, or transition to organic farming.
The Morgantown/White Hall NRCS Office Team has recently had first hand
experience in working with irrigation for small crops. Two local producers, one
in Marion County and one in Monongalia County, have recently addressed water
concerns associated with growing blueberries, apples, and truck crops. Both
producers have been assisted using the AMA program.
The Marion County farm has been in blueberry production for the last 6 years and
has worked with truck crops for 8 years. During summer months there was a
problem, not enough rainfall when needed. Because of this the farm had a lower
production rate on their blueberries and truck crops. In 2004 the local producer
applied for the AMA program in hopes of getting assistance with a much needed
irrigation system to aid in watering the crops.
Accomplishments:
After researching irrigation systems, Gary Ely, Soil Conservation Technician in
the White Hall Service Center, was able to design a working system for the farm.
A spring fed pond was constructed for a water source where water is pumped to a
2,500 gallon tank on top of the hill. The water is then gravity fed through a
series of pipes and filters to provide water to 0.2 acres of blueberries and 0.3
acres of truck crops.
Through the assistance of the 2004 AMA program, a well fed irrigation system was
installed. This system was designed with knowledge of irrigation from the
landowner, TSP planners, and NRCS Ag Engineer. A well was drilled for the water
source and is pumped to water 4.4 acres of blueberries and 0.4 acres of apple
trees while flowing through approximately 1,450 feet of pipeline.
Program Benefits to Landowner:
Thanks to the AMA program and the assistance of the Morgantown/White Hall NRCS
office, the local producers are now going to be able to continue to grow quality
products that they will be able to market to the public as well as expanding
their operations into highly productive blueberry, apple, and truck crop farms.
Program Benefits to Community:
The surrounding community can purchase locally grown produce.
Contact:
Katie Fitzsimmons, Soil Conservationist
304-291-4377 ext 103
Katie.Fitzsimmons@wv.usda.gov
Morgantown Service Center - Serving Monongalia County
201 Scott Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26508
Phone (304) 291-4377 Fax (304) 291-4139
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Monongalia County irrigation system for blueberry field. This
picture was taken during the construction phase. |
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On the Monongalia County Farm the farmer is using drip irrigation to
supply water to his blueberry plants.
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The Marion County Farm is using a pond to supply water for their
irrigation needs. As you can see, he is utilizing a gasoline powered
pump to siphon the water from the pond which then runs through a filter
before being pumped up hill to an above ground storage tank. |
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The Marion County Farm is utilizing an above ground tank for water
storage. |
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After the water leaves the storage tank it flows to this sand filter
system to ensure that no debris pass on to the drip irrigation tubes.
Our Marion County Farmer also included an injector at this point to aid
in adding nutrients to the water. |
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