Vegetative Filter Strips

Filter Strips are one of the most popular Best management Practices (BMP's) being utilized by farmers across the country. Basically filter strips do exactly as the name implies: they filter runoff before it enters the river system.

But they also do much more. They act as a buffer between the stream and crop fields to prevent farm chemicals from entering the stream. In addition, they provide excellent winter cover for pheasants and other wildlife (they are also very easy to hunt). Filter strips can act as a cross wind trap strip to trap wind blown soil. They can be used as turn rows for large equipment. You can square up unevenly shaped fields, retire ground that is weedy and unproductive, and possibly earn a return by enrolling in the Continuous CRP program and get annual rental rates for 15 years plus 90% costshare to install the practice!

Local lands utilizing filter strips

This site, (photo at left) which is in the Maple River watershed, would be an excellent place for buffers. The North facing slope (on the left side of the photo) would be a great site for a riparian buffer with trees & shrubs, while the field on the right would be well suited for a filter strip of native grasses.