Background
Through a challenge grant from the US Bureau of Reclamation, the Yolo County RCD (along with four other conservation districts and the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts) worked with regional experts and six local growers to determine what form and impact Total Resource Management (TRM) can have on Yolo County farms. The RCD selected its cooperators to represent a diversity of cropping systems and geographical locations within the county, including foothill rangelands, an organic walnut orchard, and high-production field and row crops. In October 2000 the District completed the six-year project.

The RCD worked with cooperating agencies to provide in-depth resource assessments of specific farm sites and recommended integrated practices, provided wide-ranging technical assistance, and offered partial financial support. All stakeholders, especially volunteer farmers, determined the work that took place. Practices implemented as part of the project included tailwater return ponds, insectary hedgerows, range management, irrigation water management, cover crops, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Staff carefully monitored the implementation and impact of the adopted practices, then compared on-site results with initial resource conservation goals. Data from this monitoring was collected and, when appropriate, refinements of the practices were considered.

Findings

• Documented minimum of 40% reduction of winter storm runoff from tomato fields planted with a winter cover crop instead of winter-fallowed. The study also documented increased yields associated with the cover crop that compensated for the cost of cover crop planting and incorporation.
• Documented forage quality of selected species of native perennial grasses on par with that of non-native annual and perennial grass forage species.
• Documented multiple benefits of a vegetated tailwater return pond: 100% tailwater recovery and reuse, sediment capture, groundwater recharge, increased wildlife visitation, and attraction of beneficial insects.
• Documented multiple benefits of a no-till cover crop (in walnuts): improved soil tilth evidenced by reduced cracking, reduced energy expense due to a less bumpy ride down rows, and harbor for beneficial insects.
• Documented high levels of beneficial insects attracted to insectary hedgerows. Recent UC research has found that such insects will move up to 400’ (some up to a mile) into a field from an insectary border.
• Discovery of surprising biodiversity on farm sites. Ringtails, assumed to be gone from the valley lowlands, have left tracks at two farm sites. This resulted in a secondary benefit of collaboration with UC Davis wildlife specialists who were excited about the District’s unprecedented findings and supported further project monitoring efforts with their own equipment and time.

As the projects at each site matured, we developed tours to educate farmers, university researchers, professors, students, agency professionals, and the general public about Total Resource Management. The project cooperators also participated in these outreach efforts by sharing their experiences with other farmers and hosting field days on their farms. District staff gave numerous slide show presentations about the TRM project and resource conservation to groups such as the local Farm Bureau, Rotary Club, university and junior college classes, elementary and high school classes, at for public and special gatherings. Local papers and the agricultural press (journals, newspapers, and radio) also regularly published stories about the project.

The project had a significant effect on the District itself, as well as its partner organizations involved in the project, which extended far beyond the original scope of work. This demonstrates the potential for leverage that comes with grant funding and agency partnerships and cooperation. Completion of the project required the input of many different partners who shared expertise and resources with the District. This interaction strengthened the District’s relationships with various long-standing agency and organization cooperators and fostered new relationships with others and many local farmers. This process served to both increase District staff expertise and skills and improve the District’s credibility as a significant contributor in the agricultural and conservation communities. It also benefited our partners by encouraging and supporting them to explore new practices and topics of research. Through the project, District staff generated three on-farm conservation guides--Bring Farm Edges Back to Life!, Know Your Natives, and Monitoring on Your Farm--and contributed to the early development of the RCD web site that  continues to communicate project-developed knowledge far beyond the grant period. Please refer to our Resource Library folder to examine or download these conservation guides and the program final report or link to our educational materials page for information regarding their purchase.

A copy of the project's Final Report is available in our Resource Library folder.