To provide quality drinking water for its municipal population, the City of York purchased 400 acres of farm ground east of the city in 2008. The property was developed into what is now the York Wellfield. The city has relied on the agricultural revenue from this property to offset the costs of the wellfield development.

Project GROW will change the current conditions on 160 acres of the total 400, by using no-till, cover crops, and unconventional crop rotations to improve soil health, increase water infiltration, decrease soil erosion, and improve profitability.
At the beginning of October, the UBB NRD will take a soil sample. 

What is soil health?

Soil health is defined as the capacity of soil to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.  Soil contains living organisms that when provided the basic necessities of life—food, shelter and water—perform functions required to produce food and fiber.

Why is soil health important?

As worldwide populations and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive is very important. By farming using soil health principles and systems that include no-till, cover cropping, and diverse rotations, more and more farmers are actually increasing their soil’s organic matter and improving microbial activity. As a result, farmers are sequestering more carbon, increasing water infiltration, improving wildlife and pollinator habitat, all the while harvesting better profits and often better yields.

What does healthy soil look like?

Healthy soil does not contain vertical layers, but rather soil aggregates (macro pores) that are horizontal throughout the soil root zone. These aggregates allow for moisture to infiltrate to roots and other living organisms in the soil. A healthy soil can be compared to a sponge in that it has pore space for storage of air and water.

How are we going to achieve healthier soil on the wellfield?

Our farming system will be using soil health principles and systems that includes no-till, cover cropping, and diverse rotations. This system of farming will increase soil organic matter, improve microbial-activity and increase water infiltration.

What caused the wellfield soil to be unhealthy?

One reason is a lack of diversity of the crops that had been planted on the wellfield prior to the NRD engagement.  Also, there were plants growing on the wellfield for only four to five months out of the total growing season. This fallow period for the remainder of the growing season could not feed the microbial population in the soil. Soil is a living resource and needs to be fed to be healthy and productive.

Why is it important to make sure that soil is healthy on the wellfield?

An obvious answer is that the wells located on the wellfield that supply the City of York drinking water need to produce water from the aquifer that is clean from contaminates, mainly nitrates. A healthy soil acts as a filtering system having a diverse plant population growing with expansive root systems that uses the nitrogen for growth and can “tie-up” excess nitrogen in the root zone so it cannot leach into the aquifer.

• Reduce erosion from wind and water.
• Increase soil organic matter content.
• Capture and recycle or redistribute nutrients in the soil profile.
• Promote biological nitrogen fixation and reduce energy use.
• Increase biodiversity.
• Suppress weeds.
• Manage soil moisture.
• Minimize and reduce soil compaction.

Why is the garden important to the whole project? 

Community gardens in urbanized areas help supplement individual needs for locally grown food. The plot for the garden allows for unlimited expansion, which over time will provide a resource for the community. The garden allows for a space for members of the community from all different backgrounds to gather. It’s a space that school programs and Future Farmers of America (FFA) can utilize for their educational events and projects, and provides another space for people to gather outside.

Who can be involved?

We welcome all members of the community to be potential gardeners. This year, we have 12 plots, each 20’ by 15’. We will host events throughout the fall and winter that will go into more detail about how you can apply for a plot, what is expected from gardeners and other learning opportunities about growing and tending in your own plot.

What it takes to be involved?

If you are interested in growing on one of the first plots in the new Project GROW garden, please click here and fill out the Gardener Interest Form. 

Why is it helpful? 

One of the unique features of Project GROW is the NRD planted berry orchard. The Upper Big Blue NRD is planning to maintain a perennial orchard of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Although several species of berries are native to Nebraska, these three berries will be a primary focus. The orchard is located on the west side of the Community Garden plots. The harvesting of the berries will be done by the general public. The chart above shows the ripening and harvest season for a variety of Nebraska native berries. 

Fun facts about berries

The health benefits of including berries as a staple in your diet are both vast and fascinating. In fact, berries are classified as polyphenols containing plant compounds comprised of antioxidants referred to as anthocyanins and ellagic acid. In particular, blueberries boast a high level of antioxidants, and raspberries and blackberries contain rich amounts of ellagic acid. All these polyphenols aid in relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure, increase the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol, contain anti-cancer properties, provide a good source of fiber, aid the digestive tract and preserve bone density. 

What is a pollinator?

When we think of pollinators, normally we think of bees. Although bees are important pollinators, they are not the only type of animal pollinator. Other animal pollinators include ants, bats, beetles, birds, butterflies and moths, among others. This habitat will include a diverse range of plants, which will attract many different pollinators.

Why is it important?

Animal pollinators are responsible for pollinating 35% of all crops, and 85% of flowering plants. As towns and cities grow, natural pollinator habitats are replaced by buildings. By planting and tending to pollinator habitats, we are able to provide a habitat and food source for animal pollinators.

Where is it located?

The pollinator habitat extension is an important part of this project. It is located to the east of the north field (see photo). In addition to being a safe haven for pollinators, the habitat will be a great resource that schools and the local FFA chapter can utilize in their educational programs.

AmeriCorps is a civil society program supported by the U.S. Federal government, foundations, corporations, and other donors engaging adults in public service work with a goal of "helping others and meeting critical needs in the community."

The Nebraska Conservation Educational Fund (NCEF) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to increase public education and engagement in conservation issues. NCEF educates the public, media and elected officials about important conservation issues, works to increase public participation in the democratic process and mobilizes a diverse network of people to engage in public policy.

The City of York is nestled at the intersection of US Hwy 81 and Interstate 80. With a population of over 8,000, York offers many of the amenities seen in larger communities.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (UBBRND) shall be a leader in conserving, protecting, developing and managing the natural resources of this district for the health and welfare of the people of the district.

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.

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