Soil Conservation
In an effort to conserve the soil at the METROGRO Farm, the Metro District works with the tenant farmer, various soil conservation districts, as well as a soil agronomist at a local university, to institute measures to minimize soil erosion. These measures include but are not limited to, strip farming, grass terraces, water diversion structures, and spreader dams, returning almost 1,000 acres to drought tolerant native grasses, and using "no-till" farming methods.
 Strip Farming
Alternating strips of cultivated and fallow areas perpendicular to the prevailing winds in order to reduce wind erosion.
Buffer Strips
Designed to trap snow and reduce wind erosion.
Terraces
Minimize impact of surface runoff on vegetation and soils.
Re-vegetation
Cultivated land is being reclaimed, conditioned and seeded with native grasses to reduce wind and soil erosion.
Crop Diversification
Planting a variety of crops using a fallow rotation and spring crops (when moisture is adequate).
Wheat
Barley
Sorghum/Sudan grass
Millet
Sunflowers
Corn
Milo
Chemical Weed Control
Modified chem-fallow was used in 2003 on approximately 900 acres, to reduce soil disturbance that can cause erosion.
Check Dams, Diversion Structures, Culverts
A variety of sizes and shapes strategically placed throughout the Farm and dictated by topography to control runoff.
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