Living on and managing rural land means you need to know who to contact when you have questions or need technical assistance. Can my horses drink from the creek on our property? Where can I legally locate (place) my compost pile? Is there help for my leaking pasture irrigation system? How do I create a pollinator hedgerow on my property? What type of grass seed is best for my horse pasture? And, speaking of pasture, how do I get rid of weeds?
Senior resource specialist Jay Mirro of the King Conservation District, in Renton, Washington, shared some of his suggestions for resources that horse property owners can reach out to for help with land management.
Conservation Districts: A Good Resource for Horse Farms
A conservation district (CD) is a local government unit that develops and carries out natural resource conservation programs. Conservation districts help landowners find answers to problems with land, plants, and agricultural operations. They might also be called soil and water conservation districts, soil conservation districts, and resource conservation districts.
“Conservation districts are composed of agriculture and natural resource professionals,” says Mirro. “They help people manage their land and balance natural resources concerns.” For example, a conservation district might be able to help with designing an out-of-creek watering system that would keep livestock out of a stream, reducing mud, and keeping creeks healthier. They can also suggest suitable plants for attracting bees and butterflies.
“They are a wealth of information,” says Mirro. “Their staff can help with pasture seed information, mud and manure management ideas, and local regulations that apply to land management and farming.” Sometimes these agencies have cost-sharing to help with the solutions they offer. “There are over 3,000 CDs nationwide, each providing assistance that’s tailored to their region and resource concerns,” he adds.
You can find your local conservation district here.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service for Horse Property Owners
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an agency of the USDA. It is nonregulatory and provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and agricultural producers in every county in the U.S.
“Usually, NRCS offices are geared towards large commercial operations, but they provide technical assistance to any size operation on concerns such as soil health, erosion control, irrigation issues, water conservation, and more,” says Mirro. The NRCS has multiple programs where a land manager can get funding for projects such as planting along streams, wetland restorations, fencing horses or other animals out of creeks, manure storage structures, and more.
Find your local USDA NRCS Service Center here.
Extension Services Benefit Horse Owners and Beyond
An 1862 law made it mandatory for a university in each state to provide agricultural and mechanical education to the public. “Extension delivers research-based knowledge to farmers, ranchers, and the nonuniversity public,” says Mirro. “They often have educational opportunities to showcase their research and the latest information.”
Extension programs run well-known initiatives such as 4-H, Master Gardener, and forest stewardship—but many also offer additional services, including access to equine specialists.
For more information check out Extension.org or this list of Extension offices across the country.
State and County Agencies
Many state agencies exist to help with land management issues that horse owners might be facing, such as waste management. “Check out the websites for your state department of agriculture or natural resources, as well as your state veterinarian,” says Mirro. “I have attended many excellent educational programs put on by these agencies. Don’t forget to browse your county’s website to see if they have programs supporting livestock and agriculture.”
State veterinarians work to ensure the health and safety of horses and other animals in the state. They play a crucial role in maintaining animal welfare and public safety in their state.
Nonprofits, Land Trusts, Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs)
“There’s a whole host of other programs and organizations that may offer natural resource or agricultural education,” says Mirro. Land trusts, native plant clubs, and local groups such as the Equine Land Conservation Resource are examples of NGOs that do important work with rural landowners.
Take-Home Message
Whether you are looking for guidance on managing your equine facility’s growing manure pile, technical assistance for designing a French drain to tackle mud, advice on how to win the weed battle in your pasture, or you are curious about community education, reach out and explore the services these agencies can offer you and your horse property.
