Conservation Practices

No-Till

No-till farming (also known as zero tillage or direct drilling) is an agricultural technique for growing crops or pasture without disturbing the soil through tillage. No-till farming decreases the amount of soil erosion tillage causes as well as increase in the amount of water that infiltrates into the soil, soil retention of organic matter, and nutrient cycling.

Cover Crops

A cover crop is grass, legume, forb or other herbaceous plant that are established for seasonal cover and conservational purposes.  The practice may be used to reduce wind or water erosion by establishing cover after a minimal residue crop.  Cover crops are planted to use up excess nutrients in the soil profile, for weed suppression, to provide nutrients to the next crop, to increase carbon sequestration and improve soil structure.  They are excellent tools for helping to improve soil health.

Soil Health Challenge

The Winnebago County “Soil Health Challenge (SHC)” is a program designed to reward participants that are willing to work with the Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) to commit a portion of their cropland to no-till farming coupled with well managed cover crops in an effort to educate themselves and other producers on the many benefits of improved soil health. 

Nutrient Management Plan (NMP)

A NMP is a yearly plan that helps farmers apply the right amount of fertilizer and manure to their crops. It starts with soil testing to see what nutrients are already in the ground. This helps the farmer figure out how much more is needed for each crop. In Wisconsin, farmers use a software tool called SnapPlus to create their plans. It also helps show where soil or phosphorus might be lost, so farmers can adjust things like tilling or crop rotation to reduce that loss. The goal is to grow healthy crops while protecting the environment by giving plants the right nutrients, in the right amount, at the right time, and in the right place.

In Wisconsin, all farms should have a nutrient management plan. Some farms will follow a nutrient management plan if they:

• Participate in the Farmland Preservation Program
• Are offered cost-sharing to develop a plan
• Accept cost-sharing for manure storage systems
• Are regulated under a local ordinance for manure storage or livestock siting

Resources:

• What is a Nutrient Management Plan? (PDF)
• SnapPlus Software & Support (UW-Extension)
• Nutrient Management in Wisconsin (DATCP)
• Runoff Risk Forecast (Wisconsin Manure Management Advisory System)

The Winnebago County LWCD provides cost-sharing and technical assistance for Nutrient Management Planning. Please contact us for more information.

Photo: Crops need Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)

Barnyard Runoff Control System

Manure Storage System

A manure storage system is an impoundment made by constructing an embankment, excavating a pit or dugout, or by fabricating a structure to temporarily contain manure and other animal or agricultural wastes.  These systems protect water quality by preventing runoff from animal lots, cutting fertilizer costs and preventing nutrient losses in agricultural fields, and allowing for manure to be safely stockpiled until conditions are environmentally safe for spreading.

Shoreline Habitat Restoration (SHRUB)

• Shoreland Restoration Brochure

Streambank and Shoreline Protection

Photo: Stabenow Breakwall, Credit: Tim McEnroe, August 2023

Since 1941, the damage done at the Stabenow site by high water, waves, and ice has resulted in an average lateral recession of up to 2.5 feet of wetland per year, resulting in increased turbidity and loss of fish and wildlife habitat. Off-shore breakwalls were designed by the Winnebago County Land & Water Conservation Department (LWCD) and installed by local contractors to reduce sediment re-suspension within the habitat restoration area by reducing wave size and protecting the shoreline of the emergent marsh from further erosion.

To determine the efficacy of the breakwall structures, the LWCD has been monitoring to determine the regrowth of aquatic plants, both emergent and submergent species.

The aquatic plant monitoring comparison from 2021 to 2023 at the site has shown an overall impressive plant response in greater densities and species diversity.

Waterway System

Wetland Restoration

What is a Wetland Restoration?

Wetland Restorations are incredibly effective conservation practices because of the multifunctional values they provide. They protect water quality by removing sediment and nutrients from runoff AND provide habitat for a multitude of wildlife.

Restorations may include construction of berms, excavation for ponds or the destruction of tile line or drainage ditch functions to create conditions suitable for wetland vegetation. Click to enlarge example photos below.

Wetland Restoration Demonstration at the James P Coughlin Center
Coughlin Community Natural Area, Installed: 1998
360° Drone View of Site: September 2023

This constructed wetland was developed to act as a natural wetland and storm water management pond. The pond takes runoff from the Coughlin Center building and parking lots through underground pipes and drainage ditches. Water is collected in the pond and then directed into a natural prairie area through a spillway. This area provides natural filtration for storm water runoff, habitat for wildlife and a demonstration area for landowners or students to see conservation practices in action. This 360° drone image shows the wetland area approximately 25 years after initial installation.

A nature trail and observation berm allow visitors to explore the Coughlin Community Natural Area adjacent to the wetland restoration. 

Rain Gardens

Well Abandonment

Why Should I Properly Abandon My Old Well?

Abandoned or unused wells pose a great threat to the safety and quality of groundwater drinking water supplies. An unused well provides a direct path for contaminants and pollutants to the underground aquifers that supply working wells. Once contaminants reach the groundwater, it is difficult, if not impossible to remove them.  

Old and unused wells may also pose a safety hazard.  Dug wells can be 6 feet across and 50 feet deep or deeper.  Serious injury or worse could result if a person or animal fell into an old well. 

Wells must be properly filled and sealed when they are no longer in use or fail to meet the State Well Code (NR812) standards.

• The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the regulating authority for wells and well abandonment (filling and sealing) in Wisconsin.
• The Winnebago County LWCD provides cost sharing to assist well owners with proper abandonment of their wells.

How Do I Get Started?

• Well Abandonment Program Brochure (PDF) - includes a checklist with the steps landowners must follow in order to receive cost sharing.
• Cost-Sharing Application (PDF) - must be submitted and approved before any work is done on the well in order to receive cost sharing.
• Filling & Sealing Services Contractor List (provided by the DNR)- well abandonment projects need to be completed by a licensed well driller or pump installer to be eligible for cost sharing.
• Looking for other topics about wells? Visit the DNR Wells website.