AGR-280: University of Kentucky Blue Water Farms: Status of the Edge of Field Nutrient and Sediment Monitoring Network in Western Kentucky (Project Years 2018-2023)

Leighia Eggett, Glynn Beck, Brad Lee, Erin Haramoto, John Grove | Sep. 23, 2024 (New)

Rainfall simulations were the common way of collecting agricultural runoff water quality samples four decades ago. In these simulations, surface water runoff flow characteristics and water quality constituents of interest (nutrients, sediment) were determined by sprinkling water ten feet from the soil surface over small area delineated by a frame and gutter system in the soil of cropped field. There were several limitations to this method, including small study areas and lack of repeatability throughout the growing season due to farming activities. Many different research designs have since been developed to remedy some of these limitations, such as edge of field (EOF) monitoring.
To gather continuous and field scale EOF data, researchers from the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Kentucky Geological Survey are partnering with the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board, the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, and nine anonymous landowners to establish a network of 29 EOF water quality monitoring stations distributed throughout Western Kentucky, collectively known as Blue Water Farms.

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AGR-276: Kentucky Land Capability Classes and Limitations

John Grove, Brad Lee, Edwin Ritchey | Mar. 19, 2024 (New)

The USDA NRCS has established a national land classification system to help landowners and farm operators with land use planning. This system classifies land for agricultural purposes by the intensity with which it can be used for crop production and by the nature of the limiting problem. In general, the better the Land Class (lower numeric values), the less management is necessary to produce a crop while protecting the soil resource and the environment.

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HENV-716: Companion Canine Nutrient Contributions to Kentucky's Urban Environment

Glynn Beck, Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Mar. 12, 2024 (New)

Eutrophication is a significant environmental issue affecting creeks, streams, and lakes, and excess nutrients, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), play a crucial role in its development. Microbial growth due to excess nutrients in the environment can be devastating to aquatic life and water resources. When eutrophication occurs, excess nutrients in fresh water can cause algal blooms, some of which are toxic to humans and pets.

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AGR-204: Soils and Fertility: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 4

Brad Lee, Edwin Ritchey | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Soil is a mixture of weathered rock fragments (minerals) and organic matter at the earth's surface. It is biologically active - a home to countless microorganisms, invertebrates, and plant roots.

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ID-192: Composting: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 13

Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

Gardeners have long made and used compost to improve garden soil.

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ID-201: Your Yard and Water Quality: Kentucky Master Gardener Manual Chapter 12

Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Jan. 16, 2024 (Major Revision)

We generally view gardening as a wholesome activity that enhances our environment. But pesticides, fertilizers, and erosion from gardens and landscapes can contaminate lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and groundwater. Since the quality of our water resources affects our quality of life, we must learn how gardening practices can contribute to water contamination and how to reduce the threat to
water quality.

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HENV-712: BMP Maintenance and Operation: Filter Strip

Benjamin Currens, Andrea Drayer, Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Oct. 12, 2023 (New)

Filter strips are planted and maintained strips of vegetation designed to provide pretreatment of stormwater runoff before it flows into adjacent best management practices (BMPs). Gently sloped, the dense vegetation within the strip reduces the speed of stormwater. This allows for the capture of sediment as stormwater from impervious surfaces passes through the filter strip.

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HENV-715: BMP Maintenance and Operation: Detention Basin

Benjamin Currens, Andrea Drayer, Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Oct. 12, 2023 (New)

Detention basins, or dry ponds, are designed to collect water during a storm event and hold it for a certain amount of time, usually 48 hours. This short impoundment of stormwater allows pollutants carried in the stormwater to settle to the bottom of the basin before collected stormwater is released through a slow-release outlet. When functioning properly, these basins should remain dry after the release of water until the next storm event.

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HENV-713: BMP Maintenance and Operation: Retention Basin

Benjamin Currens, Andrea Drayer, Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Oct. 12, 2023 (New)

Retention basins, or wet ponds, retain a deep, permanent pool of water that can collect stormwater and release it slowly to maintain a desired water level, after which the excess stormwater is released slowly via an outlet (drawdown orifice). Retention basins should always have a baseline level of water present and may be vegetated. Retention basins provide a higher level of pollutant retention (up to 80 percent) and a lower chance of sediment resuspension than detention basins (dry ponds).

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HENV-714: BMP Maintenance and Operation: Grass Swale

Benjamin Currens, Andrea Drayer, Rick Durham, Brad Lee | Oct. 12, 2023 (New)

Grass swales, or dry swales, are designed to transport stormwater, promote infiltration, and capture sediment during a storm event. Grass swales are turfgrass-planted channels constructed with wide bottoms to encourage infiltration of stormwater into the underlying soil. Vegetation in the channel functions to reduce the speed of stormwater and trap sediment as water is conveyed through the channel. When functioning properly, these swales hold water no longer than six hours after a storm and should remain dry until the next storm event.