Conservation measures include buffers and structures like grass waterways, terraces, contour-farming, strip-cropping, underground drainage outlets and surface diversion/drainage channels.
Voluntary strategies include:
- Planting food plots for pheasant, deer and other game wildlife.
- Using shelterbelts to naturally protect crops, livestock or homes — and create significant wildlife habitat at the same time.
- Working with researchers to help protect habitat from farm production, livestock and machinery.
- Taking part in the federal Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) that pays farmers rent in exchange for land set aside for wildlife habitat or left unused near waterways.
- Taking part in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) helps farmers build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operation.
South Dakota Corn Growers believes in conservation compliance. We continue to educate and encourage our members about conservation practices we can apply to protect soil, wetlands and wildlife.