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• Getting Started Managing Your Soil
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Contact

Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
13061 Fitzwater Drive
Nokesville, VA 20181
Tel: (703) 594-3621
pwswcd@pwswcd.org

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Topic of Interest Education Farming Home Owners Horse Owners

Many thanks to our Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm Project Public and Private Partners:
Angler Enviornmental
Bar-Bar-A Horse Drinker
B&R Contracting & Fencing
Blue Top Farm
Clean Water Project
of VA Waters-Wetlands
CFC Farm and Home
Crawford Fencing
Ducks Unlimited
Fairfax Water
Kencove Farm Fence
Luck Stone Corp
Mistfield Farm
Morgan Excavating
Nokesville Horse Society
Northern VA Coalition of
Equestrian Org.
O2 Compost
Prince Wm. County
Supv. Wally Covington
Supv. Martin E. Nohe
Supv. John T. Stirrup, Jr.
Prince William-Watershed Mgmt
R.D.B. Trucking
Robert Patterson, Attorney
Seamless Gutter Supply, MD
Southern States,Calverton
Southern States,Manassas
Thomas Jefferson SWCD
USDA - NRCS
VA Cooperative Extension
Virginia Tech-Biological
Systems Engineering
VA Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Serv.
Yankey Farm Service

Welcome Horse Owners!

Chesapeake Bay Horse Farm Project | Helpful Information | Pastures | Facility Management | Manure Management

We are pleased that you are visiting the horse owners’ page where we’ll share District ideas, programs, events, and opportunities especially for horse owners. Many Prince William County horse owners are already familiar with our mission and services. We have visited many of your farms, learned about your concerns and objectives, and are working with you to develop and implement solutions. Your overwhelming interest and support continues to keep us extremely busy! We thank you for your commitment to protecting community waters.

As you read through the many articles we will introduce you to Environmentally Sensitive and Sensible Horsekeeping. Most topics will focus on the management of mud, manure, and pastures. We hope to provide you with the tools to evaluate your land stewardship skills and the inspiration to begin to make needed changes. The steps you take will benefit not only your property and horses, but also local waterways that eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay.

Upcoming Educational Events at the University of Maryland, College Park, Equine Rotational Demonstration Farm

FREE August 12, 6-8pm Weed Identification and Control
September 11, 9am-3pm, Horse Pasture Seminar, Registration Fee $25 Topics include:

• Grass and weed identification
• Weed control methods Runoff management
• Benefits of pasture to horses and the environment
• Basic elements of a pasture renovation plan
• Where and how to apply for money for pasture improvements
  
Information and registration

Stockpiling for Winter Grazing in Drought Years: A Leap of Faith

Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm Project
Extreme Makeover: Horse Farm Edition - "The Big Reveal"

The Chesapeake Bay~Friendly Horse Farm Project improvements were revealed to our Project Partners and Government Officials on Friday, June 11, and at the Open House for the general public, on Saturday, June 12. District staff were on hand to discuss the practices put in place to improve water quality, pasture management, manure management, mud management, horse health, pest management, and chore efficiency using innovative ideas.

The Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm Project is a public/private partnership that is creating a model horse farm for the purpose of identifying and sharing land management practices that benefit horsekeepers and the environment. Through this web site, seminars, farm tours, and other on-site workshops we want to share information about the sensible and environmentally-sensitive horsekeeping practices that we have used.
Oakwood Farm is a private property. Appointments may be made for a tour by calling 703.594.3621.

If you don't have time to read our lengthy report, here's a quick guide to finding the topics of interest to you:
The installation of Best Management Practices, also known as BMPs, began in late March 2009 and has continued through the present with completion in June 2010.
Project Background

Spring 2009
Installation of streamside buffer fencing
Insallation of the sacrifice area/bluestone dust confinement paddocks
Stream Assessment
Gutters and downspouts on the barn
Fencing around the sacrifice area paddocks
Gate Selection
Pasture renovation (southern pastures)
Automatic water trough installation
Interior fencing installation

Spring/Summer 2009
Stream buffer improvements
Runoff management in the sacrifice area
Nokesville Horse Society visit
Installation of high-tensile fencing
Modifications to the interior fencing

Fall 2009
Pasture renovation (northern pastures)

December 2009 - Snow Update
Automatic water trough performance in 18" of snow

Coming Soon -
Ways to feed hay to keep horses happy and healthy while in confinement
O2 composter installation
Use of Stable Grid

This project received funding from the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), via grant number 2007-WQIF-19, and supported by many grant partners.


Photos of Oakwood Farm during Spring 2009 construction

Barnyard Before Construction	Sacrifice Area After Construction
Waterer Before Construction	Waterer After Construction

Support for Budding "Grass-Farmers" Cost Saving Opportunities through Services

Are you already well on your way to creating green pastures and cleaner waters? If so, we'd like to recognize your efforts! The District has handsome(free!) metal signs that indicate your commitment to protecting community waters in your role as a District "Cooperator." We think they're a "must-have" for the environmentally conscious horse-keeper. Hang it on your farm with pride. Call the District if you've cooperated in the past, if you've been doing the right thing all along, or if you're ready to start earning your sign. We'd like to see them everywhere!


Embrace your vision for your horse property and achieve it on a budget! Here's what we can do for you...Whether you own a few acres, or a large farm, we offer FREE technical assistance to all Prince William County landowners. Any time is a good time to get started with improving your property, or developing your new property. We have the expertise to make your operation efficient in ease of use, effective in using the best tools for your situation, cost effective by giving you exact material recommendations and timing for implementation for your specific property. Call our Conservation Specialists Beata Coss or Nicole Ethier at 703-594-3621, e-mail beatacoss@pwswcd.org or nicoleethier@pwswcd.org.

Helpful Information

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