Natural Resources Need Responsible Landowners

If anyone has ever taken a plant-based class with me, they understand my passion to achieve the healthiest soil possible. As the Adult Agriculture Instructor in Maysville Community and Technical College’s Workforce Solutions department, I assess many natural resources through farm-based visits and educational classes. Soil is one of many critical sources for any successful land-based project.  Soil affects everything; it’s the foundation of our land.  Its connections with other organisms determine what is available for food or grain crops growing in any area. Humans and animals rely on this.

MCTC Workforce Solutions is a proud partner with The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Both institutions have similar goals: to help landowners become better stewards of their fields and woodlands through best practice management.

Jennifer Billings is a local farrier. She owns a farm-based business called Juners Homestead and her long-term goals include crop and livestock management. Jennifer shared this about our collaboration:

“Carrie Taylor and I worked together while NRCS offered insight for the natural resources on my farm. One of my primary goals is to transform my hayfields by promoting soil health and through planting grain that will be metabolically better for equines. Carrie knew the best source for seed I’ll use in the future.”

I recently sat down with Haley Henderson, conservation technician, and Jeffrey McCall, district conservationist at the Maysville NRCS office. They were very clear that they wanted people to take advantage of the services they offer.

“We love going to visit landowners who need advice on various topics related to land stewardship such as row crop management, forestry, wildlife and field or pasture management,” they shared. “This allows us to map out and provide short and long-term goals for them.” NRCS conservationists offer their services to help farmers find solutions to all natural resource issues.

There are many alternative options available to landowners in Mason and the surrounding counties, depending on a landowner’s short or long-term land goals. My relationship with Jennifer has been long-term. She is passionate about caring for the land’s resources and understands the critical connections between how resources such as healthier soil will impact her livestock and her crops. She’s interested in learning more about gardening and poultry production, and is willing to meet and partner with businesses who have the same respect for their land.

In many scenarios, land managers can use a combination of practical solutions to help improve natural resources. McCall suggests, “They might implement rotational grazing methods for their livestock and include interior fencing, managing livestock water troughs more efficiently, and increase cover crop usage.”

These methods can help farmers manage herds in more efficient ways. Reduced or no till practices will increase biodiversity of plants, insects, and animals, which creates a stronger ecological environment rich in diversity. Plant and animal decay (organic matter), can build layers to provide more diversity and higher nutrient densities within soils. This can ideally lead to farmers purchasing less input: they might save on grain if their livestock consumes a higher density and diverse forage in fields. They might save money on high-cost fertilizers because soils improve and produce higher nutrient rich plant life.  These results may create higher outputs and increase their profits, depending on their planning and management techniques.

Farmers and landowners in Mason, Bracken, and Robertson counties interested in receiving the services of the Natural Resources Conservation Service can reach the Maysville office at (606) 759-5570 extension 3. The NRCS also has local service centers located throughout the nation.

If you are interested in collaborating with MCTC Workforce Solutions on your land management or agricultural business goals, please contact me, Carrie L. Taylor, at (606) 301-6032.