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Every Acre is Unique

TEMPLE - While all other things wither and decay land alone has the capability to sustain or regenerate itself. Land, marked with a vast array of soils is the origin of food, clothing, manufactured products, building materials, and home to every living thing on this planet. Franklin Delano Roosevelt once wisely said, "The nation that destroys its soil, destroys itself."

Farmers and ranchers hold title to the vast majority of acreage in Texas. In fact, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture, rural lands, including privately owned forests, total 142 million acres or 84% of the state's total land area.

The economic impact of the food and fiber sector in the state totals more than $100 billion annually. Texas leads the nation in cattle, cotton, hay, sheep, goats and mohair production. The Texas A&M Forest Service recently completed a new study of the economic contribution provided by forestry-driven, wood-based industries in Texas. The report shows that the total economic contributions of the Texas forest sector include $30.3 billion in industry output, supporting more than 130,600 jobs.

Behind the phenomenal success of the Texas agriculture story is sound conservation planning to treat every acre according to its needs. For 75 years since the dust bowl days of the 1930’s, generations of agricultural producers have been applying voluntary conservation practices on their land to conserve and improve the soil, water, and related natural resources to which they hold stewardship. If a conservation plan is the time tested tool that helped to heal the windblown fields and the water scarred lands, then just what motivates a landowner to voluntarily seek such a plan and what must be considered in the development of a plan? Let’s look at the process.

Each conservation plan is tailored to an individual farm or ranch. In other words, a conservation plan is developed to meet a producer’s management objectives whether the producer operates small acreages or hundreds of acres. In fact, a conservation plan is actually a constant evolving flexible management tool to meet a landowner’s present and future goals and objectives.

A landowner interested in having a conservation plan developed for his farm, ranch, or timber operation would typically contact the local soil and water conservation district in which the farm or ranch is located.

In outlining the process of developing a conservation plan, professional conservationists use science based knowledge and tools to help landowners select the right combination of conservation practices to meet the individual’s management goals and objectives that fits the person’s economic situation.

The course of action, after a landowner asks for assistance, begins with a trained technician walking the farm or ranch with the landowner to determine immediate or potential resource concerns that may result in resource degradation. Feedback on opportunities or concerns from the landowner is also noted. In general, the technician will be talking about ways that the landowner can increase productivity through soil conservation practices in addition to looking at ways to reduce the impact his or her operation may have on water quality and quantity as well as on other natural resources.

During the process a comprehensive inventory of the soils, water, plants, and animals will be taken including what physical structures might be needed to complete the plan. Labor and equipment needs will be addressed in order for the landowner to implement the conservation plan.

After the consultation visit or visits, the technician or specialist working with the landowner will develop a written conservation plan and present the document for the landowner’s review. The plan would typically include an aerial map of the property, with a delineation of field boundaries, a soils map, and a schedule indicating when, where, and how to apply and maintain various conservation practices.

If the landowner is in accord with the drawn plan, the landowner and the local soil and water conservation district would formalize an agreement with a signature of approval of the document. With a conservation plan in place, the landowner may then begin implementation of his/her plan, and in some instances, may be eligible for various state or USDA conservation financial assistance programs for some qualified practices.

For more information contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). To locate your local SWCD visit:http://www.tsswcb.texas.gov/swcds/locatormap.

"Protecting and Enhancing Natural Resources since 1939."

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