The Gratiot Conservation District welcomed US Congressman John Moolenaar (R – Michigan) to Kyle Bolt’s farm in rural Gratiot County in November for a field day showcasing the results of the Upper Bad River Watershed (BRW) Sedimentation Reduction Program. As a cooperator in the program, Mr. Bolt has utilized a conservation technique known as no-till farming and has also planted cereal rye as a cover crop to hold his soil in place, preventing soil erosion and sedimentation.
Congressman Moolenaar requested the opportunity to see conservation practices on the ground first hand so that he can better represent the people of Michigan as well as the unique pay-for-performance techniques used in the BRW.
The field day was organized by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), other participants included representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), MI Agribusiness Association, local crop advisors, the Mott Foundation and Kellogg Foundation.
Watershed Technician Mike Gurnee showed attendees the online tool used to calculate payments and provided examples to the group while in the field. As part of the Sedimentation Reduction Program, the Conservation District is paying landusers to apply conservation in high priority areas.
The Upper Bad River Watershed Sedimentation Reduction Program is funded by a grant from the Great Lakes Commission using money provided through the Great Lakes Watershed Initiative Network.
Congressman Moolenaar requested the opportunity to see conservation practices on the ground first hand so that he can better represent the people of Michigan as well as the unique pay-for-performance techniques used in the BRW.
The field day was organized by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), other participants included representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), MI Agribusiness Association, local crop advisors, the Mott Foundation and Kellogg Foundation.
Watershed Technician Mike Gurnee showed attendees the online tool used to calculate payments and provided examples to the group while in the field. As part of the Sedimentation Reduction Program, the Conservation District is paying landusers to apply conservation in high priority areas.
The Upper Bad River Watershed Sedimentation Reduction Program is funded by a grant from the Great Lakes Commission using money provided through the Great Lakes Watershed Initiative Network.