Overview
In 2008, the City of York purchased 400 acres of farm ground east of the city. The property was developed into what is now the City of York Wellfield. In the summer of 2017, the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District approached the City of York with an idea for improving soil health which would in turn protect the city’s drinking water:
Project GROW (Growing Rotational crops On Wellfield).
Establishing Goals
The goals are to improve soil health, increase soil carbon, erosion control, non-leaching of nitrogen into the water table, and increasing water holding capacity in the soil, all culminating to protect York’s water quality at the wellfield. York would become the model and leader for other cities to follow by establishing the York Wellfield Pilot Program/Project GROW.
Measuring Success—Objectives
As goals provide the direction, the following objectives will pinpoint the destination for this project. The goals become the catalyst for three types of identifiable objectives that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound:
- Awareness: To have an effect on the awareness of City of York Citizens; specifically, to increase their understanding of the importance of how cover/rotational crops planted atop the city wellfield can sustain both water quality and soil health that correlates to sustaining citizens’ health (60-percent of citizens within 24 months).
- Acceptance: To have an effect on the acceptance of cities to model the efforts of York as being an early adopter and lead influencer; specifically, to increase interest in other cities across the NRD to plant cover/rotational crops atop their city wellfields. (Two cities to adopt the program within 48 months inside the Upper Big Blue NRD). The NRD would possibly develop a cost-share program for these cities culminating from the success of the York Wellfield Pilot Program.
- Action: To have an effect on the action of municipalities in viewing York as a knowledgeable leader in wellfield conservation and environmental educational efforts; specifically, to empower York as an authority to influence and change behavior for other cities to adopt similar wellfield programs across Nebraska (two cities to adopt the program within 60 months outside the Upper Big Blue NRD).
Timeline
The proposed timeline is 5 years—Summer/Fall 2017-2021:
- Summer 2017 (Year 1)—Collect soil health data; prepare the site for cover crop planting. The fall of Year 1 will be planted to Rye.
- Spring 2018 (Year 2)—Rye harvested; plant 16 species cover crop mix.
- Spring 2019 (Year 3)—Field Peas planted; plant 16 species cover crop mix after harvest of peas.
- Spring 2020 (Year 4)—Field Corn planted; plant Rye cover crop after corn harvest. Perimeter of corn field will be planted with pumpkins to ward off raccoons.
- Spring 2021 (Year 5)—Soybeans planted; plant Barley or Wheat after soybean harvest. A hay cutting schedule will also be included with specific plantings.
Project Funding & Estimated Costs/Revenue
All Cash crops will be non-GMO and non-Treated Seed. No insecticides or fungicides will be used. The NRD is pursuing grant opportunities to assist in the cost associated with start up and maintenance of the project.
The City of York will provide the land and costs related to farming operations and retain the income through the 2021 growing season. Scott Gonnerman will serve as both a consultant and custom planter/harvester.
Dan Leininger, NRD water conservationist, serves as the liaison between the city and NRD, supervising the care of the site.