According to the Conservation Technology Information Center, the USDA's National Conservation Buffer Initiative has helped establish almost 1 million miles of buffers, nearly halfway toward the goal of 2 million miles of buffers by the year 2002. There are several types of conservation buffers. Producers benefit in several ways by establishing buffers. With Conservation Reserve Program cost sharing, for example, it's possible to make more money from buffers than from growing crops. Buffers eliminate end rows and can help reduce taxes.
Buffers also can increase farm safety and generally make fields easier to farm.
First published April 1, 2001.