2018
Blue Water Farms: Edge-of-Field Monitoring in Kentucky Soils (Year 1)
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Abiotic stressField management SustainabilityWater supply
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Brad Lee, University of Kentucky
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board
$206,184
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
USDA - NRCS
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Institution Funded:
Kentucky Soybean Board
$206,184
Brief Project Summary:

The objective of this project is to facilitate the establishment of a network of edge-of-field (EoF) water quality monitoring demonstration sites in Kentucky collectively known as Blue Water Farms. This work will establish partnerships between the USDA-NRCS and USDA-NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) eligible producers who wish to take advantage of and participate in the EoF Water Quality Monitoring Standard Practice 201 and 202. The University of Kentucky will serve in the role of water quality monitoring partner and in this capacity we will establish the water quality monitoring network, collect and analyze water samples, and assemble the data into reports required by...

Unique Keywords:
#water quality & management
Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Information from monitoring stations helps producers make informed decisions regarding the use of inputs and conservation practices. These decisions, often called adaptive management, help producers increase economic efficiency while maximizing yields.

The information also demonstrates the value of conservation efforts by producers.

Monitoring stations enable NRCS to measure conservation benefits on water quality right at the edge of farm fields rather than try to estimate conservation effects from in-stream measurements that are subject to influences outside of the farmer's control. Edge-of-field monitoring, combined with in-stream monitoring, can provide a more thorough picture of improvements within a watershed. This helps NRCS refine and improve conservation efforts.

Final Project Results

Updated September 14, 2020:
Six edge-of-field monitoring stations have been established (installed, inspected, operational) in the Lower Green River watershed.

Water samples will be collected for nutrient and sediment analyses after each runoff generating precipitation event. We will identify additional producers willing to participate in additional EoF projects.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.