The METROGRO Farm
The METROGRO Farm, recipient of EPA's National Biosolids Management Award in 2004  , consists of about 52,000 dryland farm and pasture acres located approximately 65 miles east of metropolitan Denver. The property is divided into three parts: METROGRO Farm North, Central and South. The area has been farmed and ranched since around the turn of the century. Winter wheat, typically grown in rotation with a fallow period, has been the mainstay crop of the region since it was settled. The areas that are marginal for crop production are often used as pasture for livestock operations (sheep and cattle). |
Land Application of Biosolids
Before applying biosolids to the land, a soil sample is taken to determine the nutrient level and the amount of organic matter in the soil. This information is used in conjunction with knowing the amount of available nitrogen in the biosolids to calculate the appropriate nutrient loading rate in pounds of nitrogen per acre for the specific crop to be grown. The loading rate is then converted to dry tons of biosolids per acre, based upon the nitrogen content of the biosolids. Distributing biosolids requires it to be transported to and unloaded at transfer points near the fields where it is being applied. From the transfer point, biosolids are loaded into a modified manure spreader similar to those used in typical agricultural operations. The spreaders traverse the field, distributing the biosolids in a swath. On fields with slight slopes, the biosolids can be incorporated into the soil using typical tillage implements such as discs, plows, or sweeps. On sloped or erodible fields, biosolids are usually left on the soil surface to minimize disturbing field residue. |
Natural Resources
The climate in eastern Colorado is characterized as semi-arid, with an average of 16 inches of precipitation per year. The variability in precipitation year-to-year can be significant: as low as 10 inches and as high as 22 inches. The most common wildlife found on the METROGRO Farm are: coyotes, deer, antelope, jack rabbits, cottontails, field mice, bull snakes, rattlesnakes, hawks, doves, and Meadow Larks. On occasion, one might see box turtles, fox, and Lark Buntings.
The plant life is 80% to 90% grasses such as Switchgrass, Little Bluestem, and western wheatgrass. Less than 10% are forbs, herbaceous non-grass plants such as prairie clover, prairie coneflower, and plains larkspur; and less than 10% are shrubs such as broom snakeweed, prickleypear, and sagebrush. Cottonwood trees can be found in some of the creek beds.
Water
Various stream systems running roughly from south to north across the METROGRO Farm flow primarily during peak precipitation periods, mostly in the spring and fall, and dry down to a few scattered pools and puddles during the summer and winter. |
Monitoring Programs
The Metro District organized an independent stakeholder monitoring group to collect data at our METROGRO Farm.
Members who make up this monitoring group include the US Geological Service, the Metro District, local county officials, soil conservation districts, local farmers, and other interested parties.
As part of a six-year contract, the USGS monitors biosolids at the Metro District's Central Treatment Plant, and groundwater, soils, streambed sediment, and crops at the METROGRO Farm. For more information please click USGS Monitoring Program |
Soils
Soils are a valuable resource that take thousands of years to develop in nature. The soils in the METROGRO Farm vicinity are typically low in nutrients and organic matter. They can be vulnerable to erosion by wind and water. The METROGRO Farm soils are dominated by upland associations that were formed in the sandstone and shale parent material, and the loam and silt material deposited by winds. Slopes range from 3% to 9% percent, but may be steep at drainage ways. Outcrops of the parent materials, sandstone or shale, occur on some ridge tops and slopes.
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