FAQs

The National Center for Appropriate Technology’s (NCAT) technical service options for BSBE include the following:

• 328: Conservation Crop Rotations
• 340: Cover Crops
• 345: Reduced Tillage
• 528: Grazing and pastures
• 386: Field Borders
• 422: Hedgerow Plantings
• 379: Forest Farming
• 381: Silvopasture
• 391: Riparian Buffers
• 311: Alley Cropping
• 612: Tree & Shrub Establishment
• 645: Habitat management

Conservation Crop Rotation involves the planned sequence of different crops in a specific field over a defined period. The primary goal is to improve soil health, prevent erosion, manage pests, and enhance nutrient availability. It promotes the diversification of crops, which helps break pest and disease cycles, reduce soil erosion, and improve soil structure. This practice may involve planting cash crops, cover crops, and forage crops in a rotation system.

Cover Crops are non-commercial crops planted primarily to cover and protect the soil during fallow periods or between cash crop seasons. These crops help prevent erosion, improve soil health, and enhance nutrient cycling. Cover crops also contribute to weed suppression, moisture retention, and increased organic matter content. The choice of cover crops depends on specific objectives, such as nitrogen fixation, soil improvement, or weed control.

Reduced Tillage refers to the practice of minimizing soil disturbance during seedbed preparation and crop establishment. It aims to maintain residue cover on the soil surface, minimize erosion, and enhance soil health. This practice helps improve water infiltration, retain soil moisture, and reduce fuel and labor requirements. Reduced tillage systems can include strip tillage, ridge tillage, or no-till, depending on the level of soil disturbance.

Grazing and Pastures practices focus on managing and improving pastureland for livestock production. This includes rotational grazing systems, proper stocking rates, and maintaining vegetative cover to prevent overgrazing and soil erosion. These practices promote healthy forage growth, optimize livestock performance, and enhance the ecological balance of grassland ecosystems. Additional measures may include fencing, water development, and erosion control in grazing areas.

Alley Cropping involves planting rows of trees or shrubs at wider spacing intervals, creating alleys where annual or perennial crops are cultivated. This practice combines agricultural production with tree or shrub establishment to provide multiple benefits. The trees or shrubs serve as windbreaks, reduce soil erosion, provide shade, fix nitrogen, and contribute to long-term sustainable land management.

Forest Farming is a practice that integrates the cultivation of specialty crops, medicinal plants, or non-timber forest products within a managed forest. It aims to enhance forest health, biodiversity, and economic opportunities. Forest farming practices can include growing mushrooms, ginseng, fruits, nuts, or other value-added products under the forest canopy while ensuring sustainable forest management principles.

Silvopasture combines trees or woody vegetation with livestock grazing in a managed system. This practice provides shade for animals, diversifies income sources, and improves overall land productivity. Silvopasture systems integrate forage production with the growth of trees for timber, fruits, nuts, or other marketable products. It offers benefits such as carbon sequestration, reduced erosion, and enhanced wildlife habitat.

Riparian Buffers involve establishing and maintaining vegetation along water bodies such as streams, rivers, or lakes. These buffers help filter and control sediment and nutrient runoff, stabilize stream banks, and provide wildlife habitat. Riparian buffers also contribute to water quality improvement, flood control, and shade provision, promoting healthier aquatic ecosystems.

Field Borders involve establishing permanent or semi-permanent vegetation along the edges of fields. These vegetation strips act as buffers, protecting crops and adjacent water bodies from sediment, nutrients, and pesticide runoff. Field borders also provide habitat for wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and promote beneficial insects that can assist in pest control. Planting native grasses, wildflowers, or woody vegetation are common practices for field borders.

Hedgerow Plantings are rows of trees, shrubs, or other vegetation established to serve as barriers or living fences. Hedgerows help reduce wind erosion, enhance wildlife habitat, and provide pollinator resources. They also contribute to biodiversity conservation, water infiltration, and can act as windbreaks to protect crops or livestock.

Tree and Shrub Establishment involves the planting of trees and shrubs for various purposes, such as windbreaks, wildlife habitat, erosion control, or agroforestry systems. This practice focuses on selecting appropriate species, providing proper site preparation, and implementing suitable planting techniques to ensure successful establishment and growth of trees and shrubs.

Habitat Management practices aim to create or enhance wildlife habitats on agricultural lands. This can include establishing native grasses, shrubs, or other plant species that provide food, shelter, and breeding areas for wildlife. Habitat management practices can also involve the creation of wetlands, nesting structures, or other habitat features to support specific wildlife species.