A Sustainable Chesapeake BETTER MODELS FOR CONSERVATION

Edited by David G. Burke and Joel E. Dunn

THE CONSERVATION FUND

The case study you have downloaded is highlighted below. Other case studies from this Chapter of A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation can be individually downloaded. The editors encourage readers to explore the entire Chapter to understand the context and sustainability principles involved with this and other featured case studies. The full publication contains 6 Chapters in total: Climate Change Solutions, Stream Restoration, Green Infrastructure, Incentive Driven Conservation, Watershed Protection and Stewardship.

CHAPTER 6 STEWARDSHIP

Introduction...... 220.

Hull Springs Farm of Longwood University...... 221. Using Stewardship Plans to Create a Sustainable Conservation Model . on Virginia’s Northern Neck . By Bobbi Burton and Kathleen M. Register

Fox Haven Organic Farm...... 229. . Restoring and Regenerating the Land for Food Production and Watershed Protection. By David G. Burke

USDA Conservation Programs...... 237. Improving Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. By Clay Robinson and David G. Burke

Using Engineered Wetlands to Enhance Water Quality...... 243. A Natural Treatment System at the Philip Morris USA Property Along Virginia’s James River. By Joel E. Dunn and David G. Burke

Sustainable Infrastructure at Navy and Marine Corps Installations...... 253. An Effective Approach to Controlling Stormwater Entering the Bay. By David Cotnoir and David M. Boone

Controlling Exotic Invasive Plants in Parks and Natural Areas...... 263. A Site-Based and -Based Approach in the Anacostia Watershed. By Jorge Bogantes Montero and Dr. Marc Imlay

Effective Techniques for Invasive Plant Control and Wildlife Habitat Restoration...... 271. . Integrated Vegetation Management at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. By Rick Johnstone.

A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation | Editors—David G. Burke and Joel E. Dunn | The Conservation Fund, 2010 6 Fox Haven Organic Farm

Stewardship 229 anagement M esource R Challenge comprises now the land that 1739, By initially within the was Haven Fox made and Hope” land grant “Anchor a Monocacy Touchstone, Roger to the land was After landowner. Valley been logged settled, it has likely the last times—within or four three only surviving large The 30-40 years. along inaccessible species are tree Before rows. fence slopes or steep tracts the eleven acquired Crosby and farming Haven, Fox comprise that generations for had occurred grazing including areas on much of the site, of 8%. in excess slopes are where produced practice long-standing This management a number of resource challenges. upper portions Soils on the flatter, ordinarily would that of the property compacted were productive be more approach: carefully observing what is observing what carefully approach: happening on the land and directing of course adjusting a continuously farm and the benefit the action to and nur- watershed, Creek Catoctin perform to turing living ecosystems in level an optimal, self-regulating at perpetuity. A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation comprehensive in scope and vision. in scope comprehensive of wildlife, protector An ardent a number of has initiated Crosby on her biodiversity increase actions to of locally a variety land. Bittner raises with- vegetables and crops consumed fertilizers, out the use of commercial One-third , or pesticides. is production crop of the soil used for with “green set aside and renourished of an array through manure” it season before one full growing for production. to returns about the the word spread To used at approach “living systems” and Bittner are Crosby Haven, Fox engaged in outreach frequently tours demonstration efforts—hosting on topics workshops and informative of the importance beekeeping, like and organic agriculture, to pollinators operates farm The practices. farming of “living local on a philosophy and global problems” solutions to a legacy create hopes to ultimately and stewards of community-minded can that businesses “eco-preneurial” earn a living off the land and continue for a genuine ethic of sustainability manage- The come. to generations believes Haven Fox at ment team management in using an adaptive

tudy Summary tudy

With 409 contiguous acres to man- to acres 409 contiguous With to Regenesis retained Crosby age, plan a detailed stewardship develop remarkably was that the property for The obvious beauty of Fox Haven Haven of Fox beauty obvious The important need, masks a more Farm Harriett Crosby, owner by recognized of agricul- years heal the land from to logging as repeated as well use, tural nearby affected that and erosion and the surrounding Creek Catoctin manager her farm Crosby, watershed. of advisors, and a host Dick Bittner, including the adept consulting have Inc., Group, of Regenesis team a long-term thoughtfully considered the eroding, rejuvenating to path - and provid Haven spent soils of Fox other land owners ing a model for - restora about watershed concerned tion and sound land stewardship. ase S Case rests Farm Organic Haven Fox landscape in the rolling comfortably near Jefferson, Valley of Catoctin meander stream Maryland. A large - gra moves Creek bend of Catoctin with the the property ciously through slopes and upper agricultural steep views stunning distant fields offering South Mountain of the picturesque Mountains. and Catoctin

Landowners who seek to restore overworked farmlands, find alternatives to commercial to commercial farmlands, find alternatives seek to restore overworked Landowners who a lot from on their farmlands can learn and enhance biodiversity fertilizer applications at Fox Haven Farm. how farm operations are handled rganic Farm Organic Haven Fox and Food Production Regenerating the Land for Restoring and Protection Watershed Fox Haven farm looking toward South Mountain.

and severely eroded. The steeper sediment transport issues; to enhance Dick Bittner accumulate the advice slopes and draws found on the prop- groundwater infiltration and nutrient and counsel of experts from govern- erty have suffered years of erosion reduction by natural means; and to ment and private sector organizations and several watercourses have deeply return a diversity of wildlife to the farm. and learn through experience with incised channels. Similar soil erosion their own conservation efforts. An and sediment transport problems Conservation Vision excerpt from the Fox Haven mission on other farmlands affect nearby In 1980, when Crosby began to statement (see sidebar) gives insight Catoctin and Lewis creeks and are a acquire her Fox Haven holdings, she into the multi-faceted nature of water quality concern throughout the bought it with the three-fold vision of conservation at the farm. watershed. Catoctin Creek quickly protecting the land from develop- turns brown even after a short rain ment, conserving its resources, and Implementation Resources storm. Myersville, Fauquier, and repairing the damage that had been Sound Farm Management: In 1997, Catoctin soils inhibit the practice of inflicted over generations of misuse. Crosby retained Bittner to assume annual agriculture due to inherent As the years have passed, her vision responsibility for day-to-day farm limitations, and thin and/or spent soil has become increasingly comprehen- management and long-term planning profiles. All of the soils found on the sive and complex—extending beyond for restoration and regeneration of site require amendment to raise their the physical care of the land itself to the land. Fox Haven land manage- pH to a level that accommodates the creation of a broader ethic of sus- ment practices are loosely organized annual plants and they will need tainability nurtured by a community around the principles of “permacul- careful regenerative management of like-minded thinkers that aspire ture,” which relies on a systems practices for the foreseeable future to to more deeply understand and design approach to achieve, in part, bring them back to full productivity. support the care and maintenance of sustainable agricultural operations interconnected, living systems. This with minimal amounts of energy. In A substantial amount of reforesta- conservation vision has been built in line with this thinking, a conscious tion and habitat enhancement is “layers” as she and her farm manager decision was made to reduce the needed to address soil erosion and

230 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Fox Haven Organic Farm Stewardship 231

ssistance: A and Financial echnical T Cost-sharing funds from the U.S. the U.S. from funds Cost-sharing (USDA) of Agriculture Department Enhancement Reserve Conservation Habitat and Wildlife (CREP) Program for (WHIP) paid Program Incentives the plantings at tree the massive Strategy Conservation (see farm the to payments Annual rent below). conservation the USDA for landowner $164 $94 to from range programs Resource Natural USDA’s per acre. (NRCS) and Service Conservation District Soil Conservation Catoctin to assistance technical provided and Nutrient Conservation produce guide now Management Plans that on Bittner relied operations. farm Maryland Department of Agriculture the requirements help explain to staff a in becoming involved and practices farm operation. organic certified state Maryland Department of Natural The Service Forest State Resources’ create support to furnished technical the Plan for Stewardship a Forest sharing funds (the cost Federal farm. or 50% of the total of $75/acre lesser - Land Enhance Forest the from cost) also (FLEP) were ment Program the Department of obtained through control and used to Resources Natural plant species in established invasive A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation ….Our intention is to do no harm as we discover how to balance the needs soil, plant, and animal life, including its human of the land: its water, The entire farm is organic, practicing permaculture, working community. sun, slopes, regenerating wind, water, with the natural flows of energy, the life force of the land, using nature to heal nature. The farm fields, tree plantings, rain gardens, composting toilets, solar pumps, drip irrigation in the organic garden, chicken tractors, mixed forests, and creeks are laboratories for learning the complex lessons of nature and discussing how to apply these learnings to our work lives. Fox Haven serves the environmental community by offering a safe haven for meetings and solo retreats. Its meandering streams, nature trails, rolling hills, and spectacular mountain vistas provide a sanctuary for true dialogue and personal transformation. Fox Haven Mission Statement Mission Statement Haven Fox Fox Haven’s organically grown hay hay grown organically Haven’s Fox dairy farm organic nearby his for includes agreement The operation. his cows from of manure the purchase fields. nourish the to enterprise Another eco-preneurial garden acre a three renting involves supported a community Bittner for to produce organic (CSA) agriculture Bittner’s to supply water To operation. paid $7,000 plot, Crosby vegetable solar and an irrigation install to from water moves that panel system 2,400 it in two stores well; a nearby to it and feeds gallon holding tanks; drip via a gravity-powered the garden system. irrigation setting by lost help offset income To cropland erosion-prone aside former Crosby practices, conservation for than 100 of more has gained approval banking mitigation of forest acres sale of credits the potential for sites fulfill mandated others to needed by She requirements. conservation forest has also loaned a portion of her land Foundation the American Chestnut to of strain a blight resistant grow to the crossing from tree chestnut of Chinese and and back crossing species. American chestnut artners onservation P onservation One example of this is a cooperative of this is a cooperative One example with a neighboring farmer agreement all of who bales and then purchases Crosby hopes to engage an increasing engage an increasing hopes to Crosby organizations number of interested to businesses and eco-preneurial the core in perpetuity, help sustain, and practices values permaculture the farm. for envisioned co-preneurial and and Eco-preneurial C amount of equipment needed Bittner believes run the farm. to and equipment costs energy lower reduce and profits yield greater one impacts. Only environmental - vari performs tractor 50-horse-power Haven. Fox tasks at ous maintenance and fertilizer He has also eliminated innovative through costs techniques suppression weed natural and the use of legumes in rotation the replenish to crops with production atmospheric nitrogen. soil and fix stands at Fox Haven. Finally, Crosby The consultants examined the tions between living systems that retained a private consulting firm to historical, geological, and watershed must be considered and thoughtfully address a broad array of issues as context of the farm to convey how acted upon to achieve a better bal- discussed below. Fox Haven was shaped by its physical ance between ecological systems and and cultural setting. A detailed human influences. The discussion and Conservation Strategy analysis of the “energetic” context relationships cited by the consultant Studying the Land: In addition to of the farm examined how slope, are complex and demanding of most discussing conservation strate- water drainage patterns, cold air reading audiences. gies with government advisors, movement, solar aspect, wind pat- Management Zones: The principles Crosby sought the assistance of the terns, fire influences, noise, and light discussed in the Fox Haven report Regenesis Group, Inc., from Santa act together to continually shape were preceded by a more intuitive Fe, New Mexico, to assess the full the natural environment and human set of recommendations offered array of resource opportunities and uses of the site. A final chapter by the Regenesis Group. A brief constraints affecting Fox Haven. From summarized how the physiographic description of some recommended April of 1999 through September sectors of the farm—upper terraces, management zone strategies are of 2000, Regenesis collaborated slopes, and bottom lands—could presented below. The zone concept with local residents to perform an be managed in relation to future could be deployed in other farm ecological and cultural inventory infrastructure improvements, livestock settings with goals similar to those and assessment of Fox Haven. They management, crop production, and envisioned at Fox Haven. produced a comprehensive report resource management practices. The entitled Fox Haven: Voices of the consultant provided examples of how Annual Farm Zone: This zone Land.1 The report also contained a landscape form and related elements designates an area with the most summary of earlier recommendations interact with potential management productive soils that is recommended made to the owner that divided the scenarios. For example, excess for organic farming practices and farm into five zones with suggested biomass production and livestock regeneration of the soil. This entails management practices. Predominant fertilizer in one area of the farm can minimal inversion of the soil layers themes running through the Regen- be used to regenerate depleted soils through practices such as: keyline esis report are the interconnected in another area. Regenesis also cited plowing (a cultivation pattern that nature of living systems; the forces an example of how livestock shelter directs water to and increases soil of nature that affect the farm; and facilities, the movement patterns of moisture absorption on hill ridges and the ways in which future stewardship the livestock, and their living and reduces the concentration of runoff actions can contribute to regenerat- reproductive needs can be in com- and attendant erosion problems in ing the vitality of the farm in a holistic plimentary alignment with landscape valleys); low tillage practices; and manner. and resource management goals. The successional seeding in undisturbed emphasis rests on the many interac- beds. Soil-building measures included:

hhRestricting export of organic mate- rial (such as baling and selling hay from an entire field) to less than 15% of a season’s yield

hhGenerating nutrient inputs on-site and finding cost-effective ways to distribute them. Examples are turkey or chicken tractoring and using grazing animals to reincorpo- rate organic material.

Perennial Farm Zone: This zone desig- nates areas where virtually no tillage is acceptable due to potentially high erosion and poor soil profiles. Sample recommendations include: Red fox, a common sight at Fox Haven farm.

232 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Fox Haven Organic Farm Stewardship 233 Miles 0.5 ± Property Boundary ContourLines CatoctinCreek SanctuaryZone Annual Farm Zone Perennial Farm Zone EnhancedForest and SomeSanctuary Zones Zones Legend 0.25 a broader diversity of berries to of berries to diversity a broader edges. the summer grasses Transition native diverse a more to meadow system. prairie Farm Zone, if desired. Zone, Farm 10 years in every once Perhaps sustainably glades by create timber in small areas. harvesting simulate to intensively Harvest catastrophic of natural the effects such as fire. events with fungi and introduce Inoculate Eventual succession into Perennial Perennial into succession Eventual h h h h h h h h This zone designates designates zone This Sanctuary Zone: disturbed and least remote the most with the best on the property, area be should that habitat wildlife existing An abbreviated minimally disturbed. includes: of recommendations list 0.125 0 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation tion and tree plantings to create create plantings to tion and tree heritage guilds of high-value nut and timber trees, hardwood with guilds of nut and interplanted berry shrubs of valuable harvest selective The has a solid canopy once timber, openings create to been achieved, Begin the and glades in the canopy. - again in the clearings, creat cycle complex. ing a multi-age forest keystone chestnut, when blight- chestnut, keystone fully are chestnuts resistant and available developed have that planting of cultivars The disease resistance, value, enhanced qualities and commercial - vegeta of existing extension The Possible reintroduction of the reintroduction Possible h h h h Fox Haven Farm Haven Fox h h h h potential for providing a wild gene providing for potential parts of the watershed. other pool for are: Some recommendations Generalized Farm Zones

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a C Fox Haven Farm Generalized Farm Zones Farm Farm Generalized Fox Haven percent may be suited for perennial perennial for be suited may percent pasture. near reaches of this zone, closest closest of this zone, near reaches center. the farm to across wave a successional Create through the landscape: rotate - (becom and wildflowers grasses nut and berry then ing pasture), to then return shrubs, then orchard, and wildflowers. grasses 12 8 to from A slope ranging perennial farm—a food forest. Use forest. food farm—a perennial and more cultivars higher-grade plants in this area. costly and nursery on the orchard Group Create a multistory, stacked stacked a multistory, Create h h h h  h h h h This zone zone This Zone: Forest Enhanced areas development-free designates heritage hardwood an enhanced for the stabilizes that complex forest and has the adds diversity, landscape, Results program. Bittner explains that the to wire as a means of pest control. With a well considered set of conser- legumes he uses—such as hairy vetch, Feed the deer before they find the “money crops”! vation strategies in hand, restoration soy , crimson , and buck- efforts on Fox Haven Farm moved wheat—replenish the soil on a third hhCreate buffer strips around into high gear starting in the year of the crop production areas each property lines to absorb genetic 2000. Approximately 65,000 trees year and provide enough nutrients and pesticide drift from neighbor- were planted under the Conserva- to produce abundant, healthy crops. ing fields. Bittner has also worked out his own tion Reserve Enhancement Program hhUse no-till or low-till prac- methods to control without (CREP) and the Wildlife Habitat tices where practical and possible. Incentives Program (WHIP). Several using herbicides. Through a combina- Keeping the soil covered with species of trees were selected, includ- tion of mowing, and planting orchard plants or mulch helps prevent ing red oak, swamp oak, willow oak, grass and other clover mixtures, he compaction from wind and rain. white oak, pin oak, walnut, sycamore, naturally discourages weeds and inva- hhGrow cover crops (preferably sive plants from crowding out young locust, dogwood, red bud, red cedar, legumes) on one-third of all crop- tree plantings. Bittner also conducts pitch pin and Virginia spruce. In addi- land at all times. Use crop rotation tion to the tree plantings, a significant experiments in plots around the farm to establish a “two-year rebuild and amount of acreage was devoted to to observe how natural succession is four-year crop” cycle while provid- warm and cool season grasses for proceeding in selected areas and how ing beneficial weed control. invasive species control techniques erosion control and wildlife habitat hhMinimize practices that suffocate are or are not working. Crosby has enhancement. Also, Fox Haven Farm soil. Discarded material such as was expanded with the purchase of installed a number of blue bird boxes plastics and lumber, as well as neighboring Spring Manor Farm (149 around the property, and maintains a unnecessary off-road vehicular use acres), bringing the total holdings to small chicken house to ensure a sup- will leave marks of suffocation fol- approximately 550 acres. New CREP ply of organic eggs for her neighbors lowed by emergence of unwanted plantings were quickly established on and friends. vegetation like thistle, Johnson grass and burdock. this property early in 2009, adding a Based on the extensive planning remarkable 14,000 trees and shrubs efforts and years of experience hhMinimize the time that the earth is and more than five acres of warm and exposed without a beneficial cover managing Fox Haven, Crosby and cool season grasses. crop. Unattended exposed soils Bittner have established a basic set of create unwanted vegetation. The table below summarizes the farming practices they expect to live hMaximize the practice of planting government cost share practices by until they learn from their mistakes h on contour elevations or “key lines.” installed at Fox Haven (not including better ways of doing things. The prac- Erosion control, water retention, Spring Manor Farm). tices could benefit any farm owner and ease of maintenance are looking to improve water quality, soil natural benefits. Beyond the impressive installation productivity, and watershed health. of numerous conservation practices, The practices include: hhUse practices Bittner makes it a point to emphasize to enhance insect and pest control. the benefits of his “green manure” hhUse “crop fencing” in preference

Cost-Share Conservation Practices Installed at Fox Haven Organic Farm Practice Fund Source Acreage Trees and Shrubs Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 118 Warm Season Grasses Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 9.5 Cool Season Grasses Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program 9.1 Trees and Shrubs Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 20.3 Warm Season Grasses Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 9.8 Invasive Species Control Forest Land Enhancement Program 150 Total Acreage Affected: 306.9

234 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation 6 Fox Haven Organic Farm Stewardship 235 - Miles 0.5 " ) k j American Chestnut American Plot EnhancementProgram Mixed Hay Mixed Plot Succession Garden Organic In-Holding ConservationReserve Future Wetland 0.25 Hedge Row Hedge conform to Organic Certification Certification Organic to conform trial plot a Initiate Standards. manure” “green and incorporate achieve to crops) ( cover all synthesized for replacement fertilizers. the land and its natural occupants, occupants, the land and its natural and opportunities, potential - prop of your limitations inherent a land become to and strive erty, farm sustainable with a steward the you and benefits that operation community. broader Develop a deep understanding of a deep understanding Develop 0.125 h h ing advice for replicating their success success their replicating for advice ing Haven: Fox at Keys to Success to Keys the follow and Bittner offered Crosby Experimental Plots Experimental Irrigation Water Storage Tank Storage Water Season GrassesCool Property Boundary Property Garden Community Powered Solar Warm Season Season Grasses Warm 0 Legend " ) k j " ) $# A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation " ) " ) " ) $# Fox Haven Farm Haven Fox Maintain an ongoing nutrient nutrient an ongoing Maintain synthesized fertilizers unless they they unless fertilizers synthesized bio-mass away from farm where where farm from away bio-mass with sales conflict Hay practical. manure but spreading this practice, on the fields offsets. the cows from to designated traffic Limit vehicular and learn” will become “Walk areas. practice. standard - con that Choose seeds and plants the Maryland Department to form Certification Organic of Agriculture standards. Department’s use of chemicals or any Avoid management program that includes includes that program management tests, quality water soils tests, and assessments, control sediment assessments. forest of taking practice Minimize h h h h h Conservation Plan h h h h h ±

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a C Location Map Location Fox Haven Farm Conservation Plan Fox Haven Farm Conservation Fox Fox Haven Farms Jefferson, MarylandJefferson, Source: Dick Bittner Source: periodic basis and perform soils periodic basis and perform cycles. on two-year tests these invasive plants: Ailanthus plants: Ailanthus these invasive Johnson grass, of Heaven), (Tree Japanese hops, Canadian thistle, rose. and multi-floral a on assessments forest Conduct where practical and possible. Avoid Avoid and possible. practical where of uni-cropping. patterns plants whenever Use native wildlife, support native to possible including pollinators. and control recognize to Learn plants prior to their maturity by by their maturity to plants prior ground Use desirable mowing. to mowing and frequent covers and eradicate. avoid of plants diversity Encourage Control undesired seed-producing seed-producing undesired Control h h h h h  h h h h h Left: CREP forest planting at Fox Haven Farm. Right: Cotoctin Creek.

hhFormulate a comprehensive to manage the farm and do your Page 235: Figure, Burke Environ- resource management and farm best to apply the most appropriate mental Associates/The Conservation plan that considers near- and technology or low-tech solutions Fund, using NAIP image long-term planning horizons. Use to achieve an economically and Page 236: Photo (left), Dick Bittner; an adaptive management approach environmentally sustainable farm. photo (right), David Burke to continually observe and adjust your operations to improve Photos and Figures References performance. Page 229-230: Photos, David Burke 1Regenesis Group, Inc. 2003. Fox hhMake use of government and Page 232: Photo, Harriett Crosby Haven: Voices of the Land. Regenesis private sector expertise and fund- Page 233: Figure, Burke Environ- Group, Inc., Santa Fe, NM. Excerpts ing for conservation practices. mental Associates/The Conservation available online at: http://www. Fund, adapted from Regenesis Group, hhBe aware of the amount of regenesisgroup.com/pdf/lnnem.pdf. energy and resources consumed Inc., 2003

i For More Information

Project Contact: Dick Bittner 8 Geoley Court Thurmont, MD 21788 Phone: (301) 271-2558 | E-Mail: [email protected]

236 A Sustainable Chesapeake: Better Models for Conservation