Restoring the South River and keeping it clean is not just a job for engineers and biologists. In fact, good water quality relies on actions from all residents of the watershed community. Farmers can especially play a key role in preserving river water quality by making sure that contaminated water does not flow into the river. Farmers face the challenging task of balancing the production of agricultural products (such as the food we all eat) with the implementation of practices to protect waterways and water quality. This balancing act includes keeping excess nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer away from waterways. Many farmers in our watershed are working hard to keep these nutrients on their fields. A growing number of farmers are participating in Resource Management Programs (RMPs) that promote the use of conservation practices to improve farming operations and water quality and help reduce runoff pollution.
