More Resources
Get Involved! Schuylkill Watershed Maps Restoration Fund Schuylkill Photo Galleries Events Calendar Share your Schuylkill Stories!Projects
Agricultural Projects
According1 to a federal report, agricultural runoff is now considered the primary source of pollutants in streams and rivers in the U.S. Approximately 37% of land use in the Schuylkill Watershed is agricultural, and 258 miles of streams are considered agricutlre-impaired.
-
Macroinvertebrate Sampling Event - January 2013
Members of the Ag Workgroup made their annual visit to former project sites to sample streams in the Maiden Creek Watershed. The group found several sensitive bugs that had not been seen in these streams before - a great sign that the stream health is improving!
-
Saucony Creek Brewing Company
The Saucony Creek Brewing Company is a start-up microbrewery in Kutztown, Berks County. Partnering with the Schuylkill Action Network, they have developed the Stonefly India Pale Ale. Portions of each sale will be donated to restoration funds benefitting the Schuylkill River. Check back here for more information on their opening festivities!
-
DEB Woolf Farm SRRF Project
The Woolf Farm in Berks County was determined to be a high priority farm, that if improved, would have significant impact on the watershed. Grants were given for this project in both 2006 and 2007 and the completed work addressed agricultural remediation issues designed to help reduce excess nutrients and sedimentation within the Maiden Creek watershed. This grant was matched significantly from part of a much larger project on the farm that totaled over $180,000.
-
Adam's Farm SRRF Project
This project in Berks County located within the headwaters of Maiden Creek was the first project to be completed through the Restoration Fund. Work was completed in the spring of 2007 and included the restoration of approximately 1,000’ of the streambank that was re-graded and seeded to help reduce the effects of sedimentation during future flooding. Over 9,000’ of fencing was installed along the stream corridor and five cattle crossing’s were constructed to restrict farm animal access and damage. On Earth Day 2007 over thirty Kutztown High School students volunteered and planted over 400 native barerooted trees along the stream corridor.
-
Luft Farm BMPs
Best Management Practices were completed on this farm focusing primarily on stormwater issues and control. Approximately 250 feet of rain gutters and downspouts were installed on the barn and barnyard shed. 200 feet of rain leaders were constructed and connected with a lined outlet that bypassed the main cattle use area.
-
Berks Watershed Restoration Fund
The Berks County Conservancy and Spotts|Stevens|McCoy have teamed up to create new partnerships between local businesses and farmers in the area! Companies who want to improve Berks County watersheds can donate to the Restoration Fund, and help farmers who need financial assistance to implement agricultural best management practices. Check out the brochure for participating in this great project!
-
Smith Farm
Streambank fencing and animal crossings protect 2,300 feet of the Mill Creek.
-
Rabenold Farm
Streambank fencing and animal crossings highlight this Agricultural Workgroup project.
-
Guntz Farm
A heavily-eroded streambank was restored by the Berks County Conservancy, with support from the Agriculture Workgroup. Additional funding requests have been submitted for implementation of Ag BMPs.
-
Schroeder Farm
Agriculture BMPs were implemented on this farm located in the Maiden Creek Watershed using both SWIG funding and a grant from the Restoration Fund.
-
Woolf Farm
A milking operation with 80 cows on 53 acres of land, the Berks County Conservation District initially approached the landowner with concerns about the manure handling on the property. The Woolf’s were extremely receptive to both short-term remediation measures as well as long term considerations, resulting in a success story that highlights what can be accomplished when multiple agencies work together.
-
Martin Farm
The addition of curbing and fencing took this farm to a new level of environmental awareness. The Martin Farm project serves as a great example of what can be accomplished with an environmentally-aware landowner and the help of cooperating agencies.
-
Seidel Farms
Commonly grouped in clusters, family farms are ideal locations for Best Management Practice installations. With over 300 acres of land, the Seidel Farms provided multiple opportunities to protect the very springs that form the headwaters of the Maiden Creek.
-
Dreibelbis Farm
With 75 acres of high-quality wetlands and seven stream buffer acres onsite, the pristine Dreibelbis farm offered a unique opportunity to proactively protect the Maiden Creek and three smaller tributaries from future agricultural runoff.
-
Adams Farm
Over 5,270 feet of stream bank was fenced off to keep Adams Farm livestock and their manure out of the Maiden Creek, and dozens of Future Farmers of America students learned the importance of agricultural Best Management Practices while planting riparian buffers onsite.