**Cropland Soil Quality (Indicate on a map when possible)**

> 􀀀 **[Conservation crop rotation]{.underline}** perennial grasses,
> legumes and forbs in rotation for a minimum of 2 years; or a high
> biomass crop every other year.
>
> 􀀀 **[Contour buffer strips]{.underline}** with permanent, herbaceous
> vegetative cover established across the slope and alternated down the
> slope with parallel, wider cropped strips. (min15 feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 **[Contour Farming]{.underline}** orchards, vineyards, plantations
> and field grown ornamentals planted in parallel lines across and
> perpendicular to the dominant slope.
>
> 􀀀 **[Cover crops]{.underline}** small grains, legumes, forbs, or other
> herbaceous plants established for seasonal cover.
>
> 􀀀 **[Field borders]{.underline}** with a strip of permanent vegetation
> established at the edge or around the perimeter of a field. (min 30
> feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 **[Forage harvest management]{.underline}** for improved ground
> cover, protection from soil erosion and to improve soil
> characteristics.
>
> 􀀀 **[Grassed waterway]{.underline}** that is shaped or graded to
> required dimensions and established with suitable vegetation.
>
> 􀀀 **[Ground Cover]{.underline}** use of grasses, legumes or forbs
> maintained as permanent cover between rows in orchards, vineyards,
> plantations, field grown ornamentals, or cropped woodland.
>
> 􀀀 **[Hedgerow planting]{.underline}** with the establishment of dense
> vegetation. (min 20 feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 **[Irrigation Water Management]{.underline}** actions to reduce
> erosion such as the use of polyacrylamide (PAM) or controlling the
> volume, frequency, and application rate of irrigation water.
>
> 􀀀 **[Mulching]{.underline}** use of wood chips, leaf litter or other
> organic materials as a year round cover between rows in orchards,
> vineyards, plantations, field grown ornamentals, or cropped woodland.
>
> 􀀀 **[Pasture and Hayland Plantings/Improvement]{.underline}** to
> establish native or introduced grasses or legumes that improve forage
> quality and soil characteristics.
>
> 􀀀 **[Residue management]{.underline}** system with no-till or strip
> tillage systems to maintain plant residues on the soil surface
> year-round. (No Full Width Tillage- 329 Practice Standard)
>
> 􀀀 **[Riparian forest buffer]{.underline}** of trees and/or shrubs
> located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies.
> (min 20 feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 **[Riparian herbaceous cover]{.underline}** consisting of grasses,
> grass-like plants and forbs immediately adjacent to watercourses. (min
> 30 feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 **[Soil pH Management]{.underline}** use of soil amendments or
> activities to maintain the alkalinity and acidity at optimum levels
> for nutrient uptake, based on soil tests conducted per land grant
> university recommendations.
>
> 􀀀 **[Stripcropping]{.underline}** with row crops, forages, small
> grains, or fallow in alternating across a field. (alternating high and
> low residue crops)
>
> 􀀀 **[Windbreak and shelterbelt establishment]{.underline}** of single
> or multiple rows of trees or shrubs.

0.  (min 20 feet wide)

    **Cropland Water Quality (Indicate on a map when possible)**

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1.  􀀀 [**Contour buffer strips**]{.underline} with permanent, herbaceous
    vegetative cover established across the slope and alternated down
    the slope with parallel, wider cropped strips. (min 15 feet wide)

    􀀀 **[Cover crops]{.underline}** of grasses, legumes, forbs, or other
    herbaceous plants established for seasonal cover.

    􀀀 [**Critical area planting**]{.underline} that establishes
    permanent vegetation on sites with high erosion rates, and physical,
    chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of
    vegetation with normal practices.

    􀀀 [**Crop Management Consultation**]{.underline} the use of
    certified crop advisors to provide recommendations on nutrient and
    or pest management activities.

    􀀀 **[Drainage water management]{.underline}** through seasonal
    on-farm water storage and retention.

    􀀀 [**Field borders**]{.underline} with a strip of permanent
    vegetation established at the edge or around the perimeter of a
    field. (min 15 feet wide)

    􀀀 **[Filter strip]{.underline}** with herbaceous vegetation between
    cropland, grazing land, or forestland and environmentally sensitive
    areas. (min 20 feet wide)

    􀀀 **[Integrated Pest Management]{.underline}** the use of scouting,
    and economic thresholds to determine the method, timing and
    application of pest control methods.

    􀀀 [**Irrigation system with MESA, LIPC, LEPA**]{.underline} or
    similar high efficiency irrigation system to supply crop needs that
    matches water application to crops, soils and topography.

    􀀀 **[Irrigation system with micro-irrigation]{.underline}** for
    distribution of water directly to the plant root zone.

    􀀀 [**Irrigation water management**]{.underline} by determining and
    controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of
    irrigation water; and (Choose 1)

    0.  o Improved system efficiency by evaluations and adjustment;

        o Use of data from on-farm weather station; or

        o Use of tensiometers or other techniques to assess and improve
        irrigation water management.

    􀀀 [**Irrigation with a tailwater return system**]{.underline} which
    utilizes the collection, storage, and transportation of irrigation
    tailwater for reuse.

    􀀀 [**Mulching**]{.underline} use of wood chips, leaf litter or other
    organic materials as a year round cover between rows in orchards,
    vineyards, plantations of field grown ornamentals, or cropped
    woodland.

    􀀀 [**Nutrient management**]{.underline} activities, including any
    one of the following:

    0.  o Precise nutrient application of such as - banding, side
        dressing, injection, fertigation;

        o Split nitrogen application to meet crop needs;

        o Test soil and/or plant tissue annually for annual crops OR per
        land grant university recommendations for perennial crops, and
        low input systems such as cropped woodland and marshes;

        o Use yield monitoring data to determine nutrient needs;

        o Waste utilization to control pathogen and organic runoff; or

        o Feed management and additives. (such as phytase in poultry
        feed)

    􀀀 [**Pasture and hay land planting**]{.underline} to provide
    increased sod or perennial crops in rotation for a minimum of 2
    years.

    **Cropland Water Quality** Page 2

    􀀀 [**Pest management**]{.underline} activities, including any one of
    the following:

    0.  o Spot spraying activities and other control of noxious/invasive
        weeds;

        o Minimize pesticide use by selecting plant varieties to
        minimize the application of pesticides;

        o Use a risk assessment tool such as WINPST to select the least
        toxic pesticides and herbicides to minimize harmful
        environmental effects;

        o Use local guidelines to set economic thresholds for pests to
        minimize use of pesticides and herbicides;

        o Use of biological control methods such as beneficial insects,
        genetically modified varieties, or livestock; or

        o Use of cultural control methods such as rotations with
        allelopathic and smothering plants, intercropping, mulching, or
        plant removal.

    􀀀 [**Riparian forest buffer**]{.underline} of trees and/or shrubs
    located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water
    bodies. (min 35 feet wide)

    􀀀 [**Riparian herbaceous cover**]{.underline} consisting of grasses,
    grass-like plants and forbs. (min 35 feet wide)

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1.  􀀀 **[Water and sediment control basins]{.underline}** to trap
    sediment and detain water.

    􀀀 **[Water control structures]{.underline}** to catch manage and
    properly use water applications.

    􀀀 [**Wetland enhancement**]{.underline} or **[Wetland restoration
    and rehabilitation]{.underline}** to increase function and value for
    water quality purposes.

**Cropland Wildlife Habitat** **(Indicate on a map when possible)**

(Activities to improve fish and wildlife habitat)

1.  􀀀 **[Brush Piles]{.underline}** located on the edge of fields or
    clearings in **cropped woodland and marshes**, minimum size pile
    4'x4'x4', at least 1 pile per 5 acres.

    􀀀 **[Cover crops]{.underline}** grasses, legumes, forbs, or other
    herbaceous plants established for seasonal cover. (planted before
    September 15^th^ and/or harvested after April 15^th^ )

    􀀀 **[Critical area planting]{.underline}** that establishes
    permanent vegetation on sites with high erosion rates, and other
    conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal
    practices. (No Wildlife Unfriendly, all Native Species)

    􀀀 **[Diversification of plant species]{.underline}** in non-cropped
    areas for nectar or attraction of beneficial insects.

    􀀀 **[Drainage water management]{.underline}** (for wildlife) with
    control of water surface elevations and discharge from surface and
    subsurface drainage systems or through seasonal on-farm water
    storage and retention.

> 􀀀 [**Field borders**]{.underline} with permanent vegetation at the
> edge or around the perimeter of a field for wildlife. (min 30 feet
> wide)

6.  􀀀 **[Forage harvest management]{.underline}** with timely cutting
    and removal of forages from the field as hay, green-chop or
    ensilage, or by mowing crops from center of field outward.
    (Harvested after July 31^st^)

> 􀀀 **[Hedgerow planting]{.underline}** of dense heterogeneous
> vegetation in a linear design. (min 20 feet wide)

7.  􀀀 **[Pasture & Hay in Rotation]{.underline}** perennial grasses,
    legumes and forbs in rotation for a minimum of 2 years. (Not
    monoculture alfalfa-No Wildlife Unfriendly)

    􀀀 **[Pasture and Hayland plantings /Improvement]{.underline}**
    establishing native or introduced forage species that provide
    additional benefits to wildlife. (No Wildlife Unfriendly)

    􀀀 **[Pest management]{.underline}** by any one of the following:

    o Spot spraying activities and other control of noxious/invasive
    weeds;

    o Minimize pesticide use by selecting plant varieties to minimize
    the application of pesticides (Bt corn);

    o Use a risk assessment tool such as WINPST or others to select the
    least toxic pesticides and herbicides to minimize harmful
    environmental effects;

    o Use of biological control methods such as beneficial insects,
    genetically modified varieties, or livestock;

    o Use of cultural control methods such as rotations with
    allelopathic and smothering plants, intercropping, mulching, or
    plant removal.

    􀀀 **[Raptor Nesting Trees]{.underline}** maintain trees with forks
    15 ft or more above ground, at least 2 trees per acre at openings of
    **cropped woodland and marshes**.

> 􀀀 [**Riparian forest buffer**]{.underline} of trees and/or shrubs
> located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies.
> (min 35 feet wide)
>
> 􀀀 [**Riparian herbaceous cover**]{.underline} consisting of grasses,
> grass-like plants and forbs. (min 35 feet wide)

16. 􀀀 **[Shallow water development]{.underline}** to provide open water
    on fields and moist soil areas to facilitate waterfowl resting and
    feeding and provide habitat for reptiles, amphibians and other
    aquatic species.

    􀀀 **[Snag and Cavity Trees]{.underline}** maintain at least 7
    standing dead or nearly dead trees per acre in **cropped woodland
    and marshes**.

    􀀀 [**Stream habitat management**]{.underline} activities to
    maintain, improve, or restore physical, chemical and biological
    functions of a stream.

    **Cropland Wildlife Habitat** Page 2

    􀀀 **[Vernal Pools]{.underline}** maintain buffer zones around vernal
    pools and protect during harvest operations. (min 20 feet wide
    buffer)

    􀀀 [**Wetland enhancement**]{.underline} to increase function and
    values.

    􀀀 **[Wetland restoration and rehabilitation]{.underline}** of a
    drained or degraded wetland to restore wetland functions and values.

> 􀀀 [**Wildlife habitat management**]{.underline} by winter flooding of
> cropland fields for species in need of
>
> conservation.
>
> 􀀀 [**Wildlife habitat management Plan**]{.underline} a state approved
> management plan or Private Lands Agreement that meets the needs for
> food, cover or water for targeted species.
>
> 􀀀 [**Windbreak and shelterbelt establishment**]{.underline} of single
> or multiple rows of trees or shrubs. (min 20 feet wide)

0.  

**Grazing Lands Soil Quality and Plant Health (Indicate on a map when
possible)**

(Activities to improve soil quality or the health of the plant
community)

􀀀 **[Brush management]{.underline}** for removal, reduction or
manipulation of non-herbaceous plants.

> (clipping/mowing, goats)

1.  􀀀 [**Channel bank stabilization**]{.underline} by establishing and
    maintaining vegetation.

    􀀀 **[Grassed waterway]{.underline}** that is shaped or graded to
    required dimensions and established with suitable vegetation.

    􀀀 **[Grazing land mechanical treatment]{.underline}** modifying
    physical soil and/or plant conditions. (aerway, etc)

    􀀀 **[Heavy use area protection]{.underline}** and stabilization by
    establishing vegetative cover, surfacing with suitable materials,
    and/or installing needed structures. (feeding pad/area, alleyway)

    􀀀 **[Irrigation water management]{.underline}** properly determining
    and controlling the volume, frequency, and application rate of
    irrigation water in a planned, efficient manner.

    􀀀 **[Pasture and hay plantings]{.underline}** by establishing
    permanent vegetative cover.

    􀀀 **[Prescribed burning]{.underline}** by applying controlled fire
    to a predetermined area.

    􀀀 **[Prescribed grazing management]{.underline}** including any one
    of the following:

    0.  o Bottomland or riparian area treated as a separate grazing
        treatment unit and alternative watering facilities in place
        (flash graze);

        o Grazing distribution facilitated by managing watering
        locations and rotating feeding and salting areas (movement);

        o Use of decision support tools in development of grazing and/or
        animal management plans, such as Grazing Lands Spatial Analysis
        Tool (GSAT), Nutritional Balance Analyzer (NUTBAL), etc;

        o Participating in grass-banking or stockpiling (Fescue,
        Orchardgrass); or

        o Application of monitoring plan for improved grazing
        management.

    􀀀 **[Riparian herbaceous cover]{.underline}** improvements with
    diversified cover consisting of grasses, grass-like plants and
    forbs. (min 30 feet wide)

    **Grazing Lands Water Quality (Indicate on a map when possible)**

    1.  􀀀 **[Brush management]{.underline}** for removal, reduction or
        manipulation of non-herbaceous plants.

        􀀀 **[Critical area planting]{.underline}** that establishes
        permanent vegetation on sites with high erosion rates, and
        physical, chemical or biological conditions that prevent the
        establishment of vegetation with normal practices.

        􀀀 **[Fence]{.underline}** (**sensitive area protection only**)
        to control movement of animals and people. (streams, wetlands,
        ponds, etc.)

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1.  􀀀 **[Heavy use area protection]{.underline}** and stabilization by
    establishing vegetative cover, surfacing with suitable materials,
    and/or installing needed structures. (feeding pad/area, alleyway)

    1.  􀀀 **[Integrated pest management]{.underline}** to control weeds,
        brush, insects, or diseases.

        􀀀 **[Livestock watering areas]{.underline}** have controlled
        access.

        􀀀 **[Nutrient management]{.underline}** by any one of the
        following:

        o Soil and/or plant tissue test every 3 years on pastures not
        receiving confinement wastes or annual tests where confinement
        wastes are applied;

        o Direct injection of animal wastes; or

        o Split nitrogen applications to meet current crop needs.

        􀀀 **[Pipeline]{.underline}** installed to convey water for
        livestock, or wildlife.

        􀀀 [**Prescribed grazing management**]{.underline} by use of
        decision support tools in development of grazing and/or animal
        management plans, such as Grazing Lands Spatial Analysis Tool
        (GSAT), Nutritional Balance Analyzer (NUTBAL), etc., or
        application of monitoring plan.

        􀀀 **[Riparian herbaceous cover]{.underline}** improvements with
        additions of grasses, grass-like plants and forbs. (min 30 feet
        wide)

        􀀀 **[Spring development]{.underline}** that provides water for a
        conservation need.

        􀀀 **[Stream crossing]{.underline}** constructed to provide a
        travel way for people, livestock, equipment, or vehicles.

        􀀀 **[Stream habitat management]{.underline}** activities to
        maintain, improve, or restore physical, chemical and biological
        functions of a stream.

        􀀀 **[Streambank and shoreline protection]{.underline}**
        treatments to stabilize and protect banks of streams,
        constructed channels, shorelines of lakes, reservoirs, or
        estuaries.

        􀀀 **[Waste utilization]{.underline}** to control pathogen and
        organic runoff.

        􀀀 **[Water and sediment control basins]{.underline}** to trap
        sediment and detain water.

        􀀀 **[Water well]{.underline}** constructed to access aquifers
        and move livestock away from water courses.

        􀀀 **[Watering facility]{.underline}** for providing animal
        access to water away from natural water bodies.

        􀀀 **[Wetland enhancement]{.underline}** or **[Wetland
        restoration and rehabilitation]{.underline}** to increase
        function and value for water quality purposes.

**Grazing Lands Wildlife Habitat (Indicate on a map when possible)**

(Activities to improve fish and wildlife habitat)

> 􀀀 **[Brush management]{.underline}** for removal, reduction or
> manipulation of non-herbaceous plants including brush piling and
> creation of mosaics. (complete removal doesn't benefit wildlife)

􀀀 [**Channel bank stabilization**]{.underline} by establishing and
maintaining vegetation. (No Wildlife

Unfriendly)

1.  􀀀 **[Critical area planting]{.underline}** that establishes
    permanent vegetation on sites with high erosion rates, physical,
    chemical or biological conditions that prevent the establishment of
    vegetation with normal practices. (No Wildlife Unfriendly)

    􀀀 **[Integrated pest management]{.underline}** activities for weeds,
    brush, insects, or diseases that include follow-up treatment.

    􀀀 **[Pasture and hay plantings]{.underline}** of diversified native
    or introduced forage species. (No Wildlife Unfriendly)

    􀀀 **[Prescribed burning]{.underline}** by applying controlled fire
    to a predetermined area.

    􀀀 **[Prescribed grazing management]{.underline}** by any one of the
    following:

    o Adds functional group pastures to improve pasture condition;

    o Interseeding of desirable forages and legumes;

    o Timed grazing on a portion of paddocks to create habitat for
    targeted species (meadowlark);

    o Increased plant diversity - forbs and legumes greater than 40%; or

    o Patch burn/graze to improve wildlife habitat diversity and cover.

    􀀀 **[Protection of honey trees]{.underline}** utilizing a physical
    barrier.

    􀀀 **[Provide wildlife corridors]{.underline}** with pathways for
    predators and large animals or plant diversity for nectar-loving
    species.

> 􀀀 [**Riparian forest buffer**]{.underline} of trees and/or shrubs
> located adjacent to and up-gradient from watercourses or water bodies.
> (min 35 feet wide)

13. 􀀀 **[Riparian herbaceous cover]{.underline}** improvements with
    additions of grasses, grass-like plants and forbs. (min 35feet wide)

    􀀀 **[Stream habitat improvement]{.underline}** and management
    activities to maintain, improve, or restore physical, chemical and
    biological functions of a stream.

    􀀀 **[Streambank and shoreline protection]{.underline}** treatments
    to stabilize and protect banks of streams, constructed channels,
    shorelines of lakes, reservoirs, or estuaries.

    􀀀 **[Wetland enhancement]{.underline}** to increase function and
    values.

    􀀀 **[Wetland restoration and rehabilitation]{.underline}** of a
    drained or degraded wetland to restore functions and values.

    􀀀 **[Wildlife habitat management]{.underline}** by any one of the
    following:

    o Application of an approved management plan or Private Lands
    Agreement that meets the needs for food, cover or water for targeted
    species;

    o Enhance wildlife habitat linkages and corridors by creating a
    mosaic or pattern; or

    o Management that provides for shallow water and wetland wildlife
    habitat improvement.