The process begins when a farmer signs a voluntary participation agreement with WAC and agrees to develop a Whole Farm Plan in conjunction with a Planning and Implementation Team. Each team is multidisciplinary, and may have representatives from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Cornell Cooperative Extension and county Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

As part of the Whole Farm Plan, Best Management Practices (BMPs) are selected and implemented by using a multiple barrier approach starting with the source (i.e., barnyard water) and moving to crop fields and the stream corridor.

Potential pollutants are categorized and prioritized:

I. Parasites & Phosphorus: Animal Waste
II. Pesticides: Mixing and Loading Areas
III. Phosphorus: Fertilizer Storage
IV. Parasites: Animal & Manure Management
V. Nutrient Management
VI. Nutrients: Concentrated Sources
VII. Sediment: Diffuse
VIII. Pesticides: Field & Animal Application
IX. Fuel Storage
X. Other: Toxic Materials

By successfully integrating traditional and innovative farm management approaches into a flexible and wide-ranging strategy, this program is unique in its ability to prevent agricultural pollution while also protecting the economic viability of farming.

How Does It Work?
Creating and Implementing a Whole Farm Plan

A Planning and Implementation Team visits the farm to identify and assess potential sources of pollutants, using a custom Environmental Review/Problem Diagnostics tool.
The Team reviews technical and financial options with the farmer and drafts a Whole Farm Plan.
The local Soil and Water Conservation District provides technical review of each Plan.
The full Watershed Agricultural Council reviews and approves each Plan.
The farmer signs a contract agreeing to implement the BMPs listed in the Plan.
The farmer implements the Plan with assistance from the Team.
Program staff provides continuing support to the farmer to ensure the Plan’s long-term success.