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Impact Statement 



Farmstead Assessment System 



(FARM*A*SYST) 



The Need 



When evaluating potential impacts on groundwater 

 by agricultural practices, two areas need to be ad- 

 dressed: field application of agricultural chemicals to 

 produce crops and the acti\'ities that are conducted at 

 the fannstead in the vicinity of the drinking water 

 well. Several research and education efforts are 

 under way that wiU define Best Management Prac- 

 tices in the field. 



In a number of water quality suneys, Minnesota 

 farmers indicate that while they think national, state 

 and local water quahty problems are evident,a lack of 

 ownership exists at the level of their own farm. 



It has been documented, however, that practices 

 which take place around the fannstead well can have 

 a large impact on the drinking water quality at that 

 site. Some practices can result in high risk to ground- 

 water and drinking water supphes while others 

 present low risk. Drinking water is least likely to be 

 contaminated if appropriate management procedures 

 are adopted. 



Extension s Response 



In cooperation with University of Wisconsin-Exten- 

 sion and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a 

 system was developed to provide the individual with 

 accurate firsthand information about how farmstead 

 structures and activities, such as pesticide storage or 

 manure handling, can affect drinking water. 



The Farm*A*Syst (Farmstead Assessment System) 

 program consists of a series of 12 worksheets that 

 assess how effectively farmstead practices protect 

 drinking water. The first 10 worksheets deal with 

 specific practices, while the final two cover soils and 

 geologic features and an overall farmstead ranking. 

 Along with the worksheets is a publication that 



provides 1) suggestions about ways to modify prac- 

 tices, and 2) places to go for additional information 

 and help to address identified problems. The specific 

 focus of this program is the potential effect of farm- 

 stead practices and structures on drinking water 

 supplies. 



In the fall of 1992, with a 319 water quality grant 

 funded through the Minnesota Pollution Control 

 Agency, a request for proposals (RFP) was sent to 

 county extension dusters. Ln this RFP, it was stated 

 that clusters were wanted to conduct a set number of 

 assessments through a partnership with soil and 

 water conservation districts and local water planning 

 groups. Each duster was expected to do 150 assess- 

 ments. To date, nearly 400 of these assessments have 

 beem reported. Those dusters selected also had to 

 provide evidence of a joint-team approach to carry 

 out the assessments. In addition, die dusters were 

 required to provide a cash match to the project. On 

 the basis of the proposals received, dusters 12, 17 

 and 18 were selected. These clusters comprise 13 

 counties in south central and southeast Minnesota. 



Following the assessments, an evaluation was con- 

 ducted to determine usefulness and clarity of the 

 approach, farmer attihjdes to water quality prob- 

 lems, major problems encountered and whether 

 anything has been done to address those problems. 



As a part of the evaluation, participants were asked 

 about their level of concern regarding the impact of 

 farmstead activities on groundwater, both on their 

 own farm and in the county. Farmers v.-ho partici- 

 pated were sUghtiy to moderately concerned about 

 the impact of farmstead activities on groundwater 

 quality. This concern verifies the results of an earlier 

 water quality survey conducted by the Minnesota 

 Extension Service. 



March 1994 

 FS-6276-S 



Minnesota Extension Service 



Um. LKSITY OF MlsSESnT-v 



