AEM Protects Water Quality, the Environment - and the Bottom Line - on Ontario County Farms
Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) has been adopted by New York State as a process to assist farmers in evaluating potential environmental risks on their land and to provide assistance in implementing practical, cost effective means to address those risks. Participation in the program is voluntary, and the Ontario County Soil and Water Conservation District, USDA Natural Resources Conservation staff and private sector crop advisors are ready to partner with individual farmers in assessing concerns and identifying realistic solutions.

Investing in AEM improvements can be a significant step toward maintaining the profitability and long term viability of a farm.
Chemical storage and mixing area
Fuel storage with spill containment

AEM has five levels or "Tiers" of planning and assessment.

Tier 1 - Farm Inventory or Summary
Basic farm data is recorded: owner and/or operator's names, location of the farm, products, livestock numbers, acres farmed. General questions about practices such as crop rotation, manure management, and pesticide use are asked. Information is kept in a confidential file.

Tier 2 - Farm Assessment
These worksheets ask about characteristics and operational procedures on the farm. A potential level of risk is assigned based on that information. Existing stewardship and conservation practices are recorded.SWCD staff process the information from Tier 2, creating a summary which will include basic recommendations for the farmer to consider if planning continues to Tier 3.

Tier 3 - Development of a Conservation Plan
The farmer may choose to address one or more concerns identified in Tier 2. Projects undertaken range from simple cropland erosion control plans to (Tier 3A) barnyard water management plans. Tier 3B includes a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) that addresses agricultural runoff, agricultural waste and nutrient management issues. Tier 3B plans are required by federal and state law for all large livestock operations designated as Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Tier 3 plans are used to prepare cost estimates and to apply for cost-share funding from state and federal sources.

Tier 4 - Implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
When both grant and personal funding sources are committed, implementation of BMPs can take place. BMPs range from very simple (eg. fencing to keep cattle out of streams) to extremely complex; such as manure transfer and storage facilities with land application spreading schedules. SWCD and NRCS staff assist in preparation of designs and construction plans and will work with contractors to ensure proper installation. CAFO farms are required to implement all planned BMPs on a specified schedule. Implementation of BMPs on smaller farms is completely voluntary and usually takes place as financial resources are available.

Tier 5 - Follow Up and Evaluation
After conservation practices or management recommendations have been implemented, evaluation takes place to assess the effectiveness of the practices. Tier 5 is similar to the Tier 2 process. A revised farm assessment is prepared to again evaluate potential risk levels for farm operations. For example, if a leachate collection system was installed for a bunker silo, the potential should be considerably reduced. Tier 5A is used for non-CAFO farms, Tier 5B is required for CAFOs.

SWCD Field Manager Bob Stryker confers with farmer Fred Lightfoot
Barnyard runoff management installation

Common Concerns:

Manure and Nutrient Management - Balancing rates and timing of manure and fertilizer applications with the nutrient needs of crops prevents leaching or runoff of excess nutrients to groundwater or surface waterbodies.

Barnyard and Farmstead Runoff Prevention - Farmsteads are areas of concentrated activities with collections of feedstocks, manure, silage leachate, milkhouse waste and agricultural fuels and chemicals. There is high risk of runoff from these areas.

Pesticide Storage and Application - Farmers who do not hire custom applicators and who store and apply pesticides must follow safety restrictions for proper storage, mixing and application.

Petroleum Storage - Farms with 1100 or more gallons of total petroleum storage capacity must be registered with DEC. Provisions must be in place to prevent spills and leakage.

Water Supply - Farmers need to prevent contamination risks to their own well and those of their neighbors. Close proximity and condition of the wells may increase risk of contamination.

Pasture Management - Proper grazing management insures maximum utilization of forage, as well as reducing damage to pastures by overgrazing. Alternative water sources for livestock keep animals out of streams.

Stream and Floodplain Management - Riparian buffer areas filter runoff and provide other benefits such as channel and stream bank stability, wildlife habitat, enhanced water quality and aquatic habitat.

Farmers interested in completing an AEM assessment are encouraged to call Bill Hershey at the Ontario County SWCD 585-396-1450 ext 24. or use this link to access the AEM-TIER1 form.