D2-Unc«tw Farming, Saturday, April 30, 1994
WEST CHESTER (Chester
Co.) This spring, concern and
pressure from neighbors border
ing farm fields have mn almost as
high as water and mud levels.
As commercial and residential
development continue to move
closer to cropland, it becomes
increasingly important to sustain
good neighbor relations.
This can be difficult during par
ticularly wet seasons, as runoff
from farm fields makes its way
onto neighboring properties. A
simple and effective way to
reduce runoff problems is for far
mers to maintain field borders on
farm ground adjacent to deve
loped areas.
Field borders arc also known as
filler strips or buffer strips. These
terms all refer to a strip of vegeta
tion established at the edge of a
field.
Their mam purpose is to control
erosion and remove nutrients, sed
iment, and pollutants from runoff
by filtration, infiltration, absorp
tion, and adsorption. As water is
Designed to live up to its name on farm or job
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durable construction and ergonomic design. The
029 Farm Boss also requires less maintenance
and repair because it is designed with fewer
parts, yet it incorporates all of STIHL’s most
popular chain saw features.
STIHL
Available at these servicing dealers
Bechtelsvllle
PASSMORE SERVICE
CENTER, INC.
110 t Rout* 100
610-367-9084
Dallastown
TRI-BORO
CONCRETE, INC.
435 Locum Sl
717-246-3095
1-800-632-9018
East Earl
GOODS LAWN
& GARDEN CENTER
Rout* 23
717-354-4026 Ext. 34
Elizabethtown
MESSICK FARM
EQUIPMENT, INC.
Rhoom* Exlt-Rt. 2(3
Elinbothtown, PA
717-367-1319, 717-653-6867
Elm/Lebanon
BOMBERGER’S LAWN EBLING LAWN & ENFIELD
& GARDEN GARDEN SERVICE EQUIPMENT INC.
Elm: 717-664-4663 CM E. Lincoln Av*. 720 Whoolor School Rd.
Lebanon; 717-272-4155 717-866-6720 301-679-5090
DISTRIBUTED BY KEYSTONE STIHL
Field Borders:
slowed down through these vege
tated areas, evaporation is
enhanced, reducing the amount of
water which passes through, and
pollution is further deterred by
organic decomposition and
volatilization.
Besides serving as nutrient,
sediment and chemical filters,
field borders serve many func
tions. They can help to stabilize
road banks and berms. In field
entrances and areas with heavy
machinery traffic, they can pro
vide a stable place for travel lanes
and turnarounds. These areas usu
ally have compaction problems'
anyway, and are therefore less
productive for cropping.
A well established filter strip
along adjacent woodlands can
reduce competition from woods
and also provide food and cover
for wildlife. And perhaps most
importantly, these areas can main
tain a comfortable distance
between landowners. Neighbors
are protected from spray and man
ure “drift,” and they will often feel
$359“
Eohrata Oxford
WES STAUFFER ENFIELD EQUIPMENT
ENGINES & EQUIPMENT 6600 Llmnton* Rd.
23 Pl**unl V»ll*y Rd. 610-932-8858
717-738-4215
EPhrata. Hershev Palmyra
HOLLINGER’S LAWN & HERR shop PAIR
GARDEN EQUIP. RD2.Bo*iiSA
EphrcM, PA 717-738-1131 717-838-1549
717-656-2710
H*r*h*y, PA 717-533-4060
Gap
GAP POWER
EQUIPMENT 2 Mll “ *° u,h °* *L **
Comor of Rt. 30 A Rt. 887 * ton * 772 Thm Wontoioy
717-442-6970
Hamburg
SHARTLESVILLE
FARM SERVICE
RD 1, Box 13(2
610-486-1025
Tamaqua
BLUE MOUNTAIN CHARLES S.
ENTERPRISES, INC. SNYDER, INC.
Rt. 72 South RD 3
717-885-2994 717-M6-5945
mestown
rstown
A Good Neighbor Policy
better at spreading time knowing
there is a physical separation
between their property and man
ured ground.
Ip planning to establish a field
buffer, several factors should be
considered. Slopes and soil should
be evaluated, and vegetative spe
cies should be determined with
these in mind. Time of year for
establishment of vegetation, as
well as the need for irrigation
should also be considered. Visual
aspects and fire hazards are
important, too. Borders being used
as tumrows or travel lanes should
be established to bluegrass,
fescues, perennial ryegrass or
other vigorous grass sod. They
will also need to be wide enough
Ronks
A & B SALES
& SERVICE
370 Newport Road
Shlppensbun
LEINBACH
FARM EQUIP.
1120 RHntrHwy.
717-532-8811
Whlteford MD
to accommodate farm equipment.
Field borders should always be a
minimum of 29 feet wide. Borders
established to reduce woodland
competition and improve wildlife
habitat should be a maximum of
30 feet wide, and should not be
established to grasses alone,
except warm season grasses, and
not tall fescue.
ROPE IN
SOME EXTRA f*
cashi / Yzm!,
Advertise With A 'I ISB u
Lancaster Fanning v/< 'lm ))
CLASSIFIED AD...
Phone: 717-394-3047 m
or 717-626-1164
Field borders arc relatively easy
to establish and maintain, and the
effort will be well worth the
return. Peaceful relations between
farmers and their neighbors bene
fit the whole community. For
more information and technical
guidelines, contact Lori Sandman
at the Chester County Conserva
tion District, (610) 696-5126.