Agriculture

Lorain County Conservation District is dedicated to serving the agricultural community of Lorain County. If we can be of any assistance, please contact our office at 440-326-5800.

NRCS Programs

NRCS' conservation programs help people reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water quality, increase wildlife habitat, and reduce damages caused by floods and other natural disasters. NRCS provides funding opportunities for agricultural producers and other landowners through these programs.

Conservation Programs

Cover Crops

Cover Crops can provide many benefits such as erosion protection, improved water quality, weed suppression, reduced compaction, increased yield potential, improved soil structure

Learn more about Cover Crops

Open application period for EQIP & CSP

Applications are now being accepted for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Application deadlines are February 16, 2024 and April 5, 2024, respectively. These programs, administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), are designed to help producers and landowners improve conservation efforts on land that they own or manage.

What can EQIP & CSP do for you?

annie-spratt-2KLBw6oKZnQ-unsplash_edited

offset costs of conservation efforts
provide landowners with guidance to conduct activities using best management practices
create habitat for wildlife
improve timber production in woodlands
create infrastructure to support rotational grazing and confined animal operations
integrate cover crops into crop production systems
extend the growing season for specialty crops using high tunnels
and much more!

Check out the Conservation at Work video series online (Conservation at Work Video Series | Farmers.gov) to see examples of activities that NRCS programs support.

NRCS and partner staff can help you to identify natural resource concerns and discuss ideas for improvement.

The Lorain County NRCS office can be reached at 440-323-5648, extension 3. You may also visit in person at the Lorain SWCD/NRCS office located at 42110 Russia Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035.

Wildlife habitat questions can be directed to the local Farm Bill Biologist, Abby Prieur, at 330-577-3804.

Agricultural Pollution Abatement Program

The statewide standards for farming and animal feeding operations are found in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 901:13-1. The purpose of these standards is to reduce pollution of waters of the state by soil sediment, animal manure and residual farm products.

Common violations of these rules include:

Overflow and discharge from animal manure collection, storage or treatment facilities,
Manure contaminated runoff from feedlots and manure management facilities,
Pollution from other waste waters, such as milk house waste water or silage leachate,
Excessive erosion
Pollution occurring from the land application of manure
Improper composting of animal mortality