CBF has long called for greater use of conservation practices on farms throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
But what are these practices and how will they help protect the Bay?
Conservation practices, frequently called best management practices, or BMPs, are tools that farmers can use to reduce soil and fertilizer runoff, properly manage animal waste, and protect water and air quality on their farms. Often these tools can help improve a farmer's bottomline as well by reducing operational costs.
The five most cost-effective conservation practices include:
- Streamside Buffers
- Streamside Fencing
- Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs)
- Continuous No-Till
- Cover Crops
These practices reduce the most amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus per dollar spent.
It is estimated that widespread use of these five priority practices on Bay region farms could reduce the amount of nitrogen pollution going into the Bay from nonpoint sources by as much as 60 percent. That's why these practices are so important. Well-managed farms can be among the Bay's best friends.

Streamside Buffers
Streamside buffers are areas bordering stream banks that are taken out of crop production or pasture use and planted with native trees, shrubs, or grasses. These buffers are at least 35 feet wide on either side of a stream, and filter and absorb runoff pollution such as excess fertilizer before it can reach streams. The buffers also help shade streams and provide food and homes for wildlife.
Streamside Fencing

Streamside fencing keeps livestock and their waste out of farm streams, thereby reducing pollution and erosion and helping prevent the spread of waterborne disease.
Nutrient Management Plans

Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) help a farmer know how much and when fertilizers should be used on crops. By developing and using the nutrient management plan, farmers can minimize fertilizer costs and reduce nutrient runoff into local waterways.
Continuous No-Till

Continuous no-till (also known as conservation tillage) reduces erosion and runoff by minimizing soil disturbances. This practice also builds the soil's health and its ability to hold moisture. Traditional plowing and tilling, on the other hand, disturbs the soil, leaving it unprotected and allows more erosion to occur.
Cover Crops

Cover crops are planted to absorb excess fertilizer left in fields after the main crop is harvested.

Cover crops help reduce runoff and erosion and enrich the soil with organic matter.
(Left: before cover crops; Right: after cover crops)
Conservation practices, frequently called best management practices, or BMPs, are tools that farmers can use to reduce soil and fertilizer runoff, properly manage animal waste, and protect water and air quality on their farms. Often these tools can help improve a farmer's bottomline as well by reducing operational costs.
Stories About Best Management Practices
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Nice Farms Creamery: Grazing Cows Since Before It Was Cool
June 6, 2018
“Society has moved away from agriculture, and we want to bring people closer to the farm again.”
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T.O. Longest & Sons: Dressing the Land for the Long Haul
April 26, 2018
(DRAGONVILLE, VA)—Tommy Longest and his son-in-law, Kevin Norman, produce corn and no-till soybeans on about 4,000 acres (2,100 in corn) of land in King & Queen County, VA, between Dragon Run (the headwaters of the Piankatank River) and the Mattaponi River.
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2018 Future Harvest CASA Conference: Helping the Next One in Line
April 25, 2018
Vincent Matanoski is a beginning farmer. He’s looking to learn.
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We're Half Way There: Cros-B-Crest Farm
April 11, 2018
(Staunton, VA)—Jimmy Crosby doesn't take a lot of ”bull” when it comes to his soil health.
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We're Half Way There: Windy Hill Farm
April 5, 2018
(Swoope, VA)—"It's February and I've still got grass!" Scott Miller exclaimed.
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Chesapeake Farm Heroes: Mt. Nebo Farms, Accomack Co., VA
April 4, 2018
Lynn Gayle and his son, Sands, farm a wide range of fields in Accomack County, Virginia, from their home base near Onancock.
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We're Half Way There: Smithfield Farm
March 21, 2018
(Berryville, VA)—Forrest Pritchard's life changed in 1996 when he became "farmer in chief" of his family farm.
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Farmer Spotlight: Ruth Ann's Garden Style Beef
March 13, 2018
Steve and Ruth Ann Derrenbacher are the third generation to own and operate their 140-acre family farm in Woodsboro, Maryland.
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Summer Learning Experience for Student Leaders Was a Time for Looking Forward
October 17, 2017
Emma Stone, a Pennsylvania high school student, shares a journal of her experiences this summer on CBF's "50 Forward" program—a six-day summer course with that celebrated CBF's first half-century of commitment to saving the Bay and local rivers and streams, and inspired the next generation to continue those efforts.
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This Week in the Watershed: A Silver Bullet Illusion
August 11, 2017
We’ve said it before, but complex problems require complex solutions.
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