Nutrient Management Planning
What is Nutrient Management Planning?
Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) is the management of the amount, source, timing, and method of application (placement) of soil amendments and plant nutrients. Your NMP should help you: budget, supply, and conserve nutrients for plant production; properly utilize manure or organic byproducts as a plant nutrient source; minimize agricultural non-point source pollution of surface and groundwater resources; protect air quality by reducing nitrogen emissions and odors; and maintain or improve your soil health conditions.
In Vermont, all certified small farm operations and all permitted medium and large farm operations managing manure, agricultural wastes, or fertilizer for use as nutrient sources are required to implement a field-by-field nutrient management plan that follows the USDA NRCS NMP Code 590.​
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How Can We Help?
The District partners with other Conservation Districts across Vermont and the University of Vermont - Extension to provide support to farmers and land managers in creating and maintaining Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs). This work is made possible by NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program.
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Classes are held annually to create new NMPs and there is ongoing support for farmers throughout the update process.
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If you are interested in working with the District on your NMP, please contact us at info@FranklinCountyNRCD.org.
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Navigate the RAPs
Required Agricultural Practices (RAPs) are standards that all farms are required to use to manage their farms in order to reduce their impact on water quality. Some practices are universal and others are specific to the farm size.
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The District can help you navigate the Vermont RAPs and help you understand how they apply to your land.
Contact us, take the quiz below, or read the Vermont RAP Rule to learn more!