It's going to take a massive effort if we want to solve this problem. We're going to have to replumb the Mississippi River basin, and the Midwest to an extent. The zone is believed to be caused primarily by nitrogen-based fertilizers that wash from farm fields and are carrried down the Mississippi to the gulf. Vegetation in the new swamps and marshes would act as a filter, absorbing excess nitrogen from floodwater and from runoff. It could reduce the amount of nitrogen in the Mississippi and its tributaries by about 40 percent, Mitsch said.
Earthworms are well-known for their beneficial effects on soil.
Tomatoes, peppers, raspberries and strawberries. The result should be practical information on the value of vermicompost as a soil amendment for fruits and vegetables. Emphasis on Environmental Stewardship' Ohio agriculture produces a lot of manure, and a new group is helping farmers deal with it in ways that are good for our land, air and water. They come together through seminars, meetings, e-mail, tours and more. The emphasis is on environmental stewardship that will minimize environmental impacts.