Program Information

Each year, farmers do their part to avoid runoff in the state’s rivers, streams and Chesepeake Bay. Farmers implement Best Management Practices… or BMPs. These efforts are very expensive for farmers…some can cost up to $120,000 to implement.

ABCs of Agriculture informs about Virginia's farming community and how it affects you. ABCs of Agriculture are produced by the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) - an educational program which encourages and enhances agricultural literacy in Grades K-5 and 6-8.

Transcript

Professor Brad is here today in … Giving us a lesson on “W” for Water Quality! Here’s Brad!

Hello, and welcome to the ABC’s of Agriculture! This month’s lesson is on W for Water Quality…
Do you see this clear glass of water… This is one of the most essential elements for today’s farmer…. And one that he doesn’t take for granted… Good, clean water for his crops and livestock.

Each year, farmers do their part to avoid runoff in the state’s rivers, streams and Chesepeake Bay. Farmers implement Best Management Practices… or BMPs. These efforts are very expensive for farmers…some can cost up to $120,000 to implement.

Farmers east of Interstate 95 are required to follow the Bay Preservation Act…. Those producers must have nutrient and pest management plans in place, as well as buffer zones around their farms to prevent run-off.

That is why… Virginia Farm Bureau Federation supports cost-share funding for these recognized BMPs…

Due to the attention industry and agriculture gets when it comes to Chesapeake Bay issues…. City residents and suburbanites might not realize the role they themselves play in bay degradation.

About 16 million people live on land that drains into the Bay. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that homeowners apply pesticides at a rate eight times per acre greater than that of farmers and … they apply fertilizers at a rate three times greater per acre.

So… for farmers and citizens of Virginia…. please help us to keep our waterways clean and free from pollutants….

For the ABC’s of Agriculture …. I’m Professor Brad… we’ll see you next time!

Virginia Standards