PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Executive O?ce of Energy and Environmental A?airs (EEA) awarded an $80,000 Healthy Soils Plan Implementation Challenge Grant to the Berkshire Conservation District.

 

The grant will be used to fund no-till equipment program enhancements.

 

Currently, renters of the District's 12-foot no-till drill must have access to a 125-horsepower tractor to operate the 12-foot no-till drill - a bigger tractor than most small farms have access to. In addition, a vehicle rated for towing 9,000 pounds, without trailer brakes, is required to tow it to the field. 

 

Expanding adoption rate of no-till/reduced-till practices to the numerous small farms in the County is impossible given these obstacles. Compounding these equipment challenges, the Districts' outreach and engagement efforts lack the necessary resources to be well attended and impactful. 

 

The grant will fund direct outreach to farmers by the soil health program coordinator. Without this added capacity and resources to address these issues, engagement and participation in programs will not grow, stated a press release.

 

In total, the state awarded over $1 million in grants to promote and protect Massachusetts soil health to 15 organizations.

 

"One of our most important natural resources is right beneath our feet- soil. Protecting soil quality is essential to stewarding our ecosystems and sustaining Massachusetts agricultural industry," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "Healthy soil is the foundation for climate resilient communities. Implementing thoughtful land management strategies is vital to maintaining biodiversity, promoting water quality and reducing carbon in the atmosphere." 

 

Grants will help organizations improve the management of soils in agriculture, prevent soil degradation, and support soil's critical role in carbon sequestration. Grantees will explore soil health challenges in five different types of land uses: agriculture, forests, wetlands, recreational and ornamental, and impervious environments. 

 

EEA's Healthy Soils Action Plan provides an assessment of the condition of Massachusetts' soils and offers a blueprint for effectively conserving, protecting, restoring, and managing soils to improve ecosystems and the well-being of communities.  The plan recommends preserving forests, accelerating wetland restoration, turf replacement, and incentivizing sustainable soil agricultural practices to promote healthy soil. Grantees will support the implementation of these strategies outlined in the plan.