A Sustainability Plan for:

Rural Family Farms — An Example

Rural Family Farms Sustainability Policy StatementWe are committed to producing grain in a sustainable way that ensures resilience of our farm and resources for our future generations. We embrace a holistic approach to sustainability by

focusing on our environmental impact as well as economic stability and human safety.

Person(s) Responsible for Sustainability:

James Dylan, the general manager of Rural Family farms is responsible for overseeing and implementation of this plan.

Signed/Date: James Dylan 05/2015

Jane Doe is the farm Health and Safety Manager responsible for employee training.

Signed/Date: Jane Doe 05/2015

Jim Jones is the farm Financial Manager responsible for economic activities including customer and supplier contracts, financial record keeping and accounting.

Signed/Date:

Reviews:

Jim Jones 05/2015

This plan was prepared on 5/17/2015. Plan will be reviewed and updated annually by James Dylan. Next inspection 5 /17/16.

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Farm Information Summary

Farm/Company: Rural Family Farms

Address (mail): 1234 Wayward Lane

City: Somewhere State: IA Zip Code: 55555

Phone (H): 555-555-55555 Cell:

E-mail: dylanj@ruralfamilyfarms.com

Total Farm Ownership Listing

Field Name or

Map #

Parcel Address or Legal Description

Acres in Production by Crop Grown Acres

Total

Rented (R) or Owned (O)

Other Place Field

1234 Wayward LnSomewhere, IA 55555

Oats – 15.5 15.5 O

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Biodiversity Goals for Rural Family Farm

Workers understanding of biodiversity goalsOn May 1, 2015, James Dylan walked the farm looking at sensitive areas near the stream that runs through the far east section of the farm. Invasive weeds were identified. Windbreaks were evaluated. Of note here is the use of Ash trees and the recent introduction of the Emerald Ash Borer to the county.

Familiarization with local wildlife species.(especially threatened and/or endangered)

Mammals• The list of mammals observed on the farm are: Coyotes, white tailed deer, mice, Indiana bat,

rabbits, raccoons, ground squirrel.....

• A list of species noted by XYZ County is listed as an Appendix to this document

Bird Listing

• The list of birds observed on the farm are: wild turkeys, white tailed hawks, barn owls…

• A list of species noted by XYZ County is listed as an Appendix to this document

Rural Family Farm Vegetation listing

• Silver Maple, Douglas Fir, Ash,

• A list of tree species noted by XYZ County is listed as an Appendix to this document

There are a number of resources available to assist with completing this section. You state fish and wildlife departments are helpful, knowledgeable neighbors, local conservation group chapters and in some cases counties may have personnel in the “parks” or “planning” departments who can provide some local information. Feel free to include a map of the farm in this section to visually show biodiversity areas of the farm.

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On Farm Energy Practices and GoalsRural Family Farms has researched Energy Audits and will be submitting an application for EQIP Dollars from the USDA to help with the cost of performing the audit. An energy audit of the house on the farmstead was conducted at no cost by the electric company. The farm utilizes and tracks use rates of the following sources of non-renewable energy:

- Diesel fuel- Gasoline- Propane- Oil

The farm utilizes but has not begun tracking use rates of the following renewable sources of energy:

- Solar energy - Wind energy

Recycling Goals of the FarmThe farm has implemented a recycling program on the farm to review the recyclability of products and their packaging prior to purchase. Recycling services are not available directly to the farm so recyclables are collected on farm in two designated containers and taken to the town recycling center when those containers are full.The farm’s main recyclable is cardboard from broken down boxes. The farm has an established vendor, Filter Experts, which collects used lubricant oils.

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Protection of Soil and Water ResourcesRural Family Farms

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Soil Considerations

Sawmill Silty Clay Loam is the primary soil on the site. It is a deep and poorly drained soil with 0-2% slopes and high water availability. Its parent material is silty alluvium. The site is bordered on

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the east and west by intermittent streams which can cause occasional flooding issues. The site has drain pipe (4 in size) installed every 40 ft. on the contour (1981). It is relatively flat, with a very gradual downward slope towards the Northeast.

The surface layer is at least 12 inches in depth. Few rocks are found. The subsoil goes to a depth of at least 40 inches with silty alluvium. Soil is capability subclass IIw (nonirrigated)

The farm uses a crop rotation system of oats, rye, alfalfa and wheat to promote the formation of organic matter and to provide nitrogen to the soil. The soil is tested every two years to ensure proper fertilization rates are used.

Monitoring RecordsFollowing the last two major storms (12/12/2014 and 11/20/2014) James Dylan monitored the streams to the east and west streams for blockages and flooding, no issues were identified. The beginning of stream bank erosion was identified along stream banks as a result of field water runoff. Rill erosion was also noted in the northeast corner of the field, which was photographed to aid in monitoring.

Monitoring occurs following (or during) major storms.

Soil Erosion PreventionThe field is flat or nearly so and not prone to sheet erosion. The primary concern is stream bank erosion into the field from the streams on the east and west borders of the field, and rill erosion. Some rill erosion is already present in the northeast corner of the field.

Vegetative buffer strips were established along both streams (15’ minimum width) to stabilize soil and prevent further bank erosion. 20’ wide grassed waterways will be established in the northeast corner of the field as shown on the map on page 5 to reduce soil loss from the field.

On farms where erosion is an issue, having some sort of record keeping and monitoring system will be needed by the person performing the monitoring. Your record should include the date of the inspection, location, any actions performed and follow-up information. Your plan may rely on records kept in the farm truck or office for the inspector to review.

Be mindful that the Soil and Water Resource Conformance Goals are all high, 5 point items. So, monitoring erosion, minimizing soil loss, maintaining water quality and mitigating any potential negative impacts to water and soil will be highly important inspection items for your Sustainability Plan.

Inspectors will likely want to see and inspect areas where erosion or water quality might be a con- cern. This will include areas where streams cross production areas, steep slopes, high angle roads and run-off areas, just to name a few.

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Water Resources Assessment — Rural Family Farm

The principal water features on Rural Family Farm are two intermittent streams to the east and west of the field. The west stream traverses the entire western edge of the field (Approximately 1,280’) while the east stream runs along the northernmost 500’ of the field. The largest potential impact would be a severe rainstorm or sudden snow melt, which would flood the streams and wash soil and any residual nutrients into the watershed.

Protective Measures Developed

The principal protective measures on both streams are 15’ minimum buffer strips, which trap sediment and nutrients, preventing them from entering the streams. Buffer strips also increase soil infiltration, which reduces the impact of rain events by diverting water that might contain nutrient runoff into the soil.

Grass waterways are also being implemented in areas with high rill erosion. Grass waterways allow water to quickly move off the field without transporting sediment into streams.

On farms where streams cross or boarder production areas, practices that minimize inputs of pesticides, fertilizers or sediment into the water will be inspected. Maintaining vegetated buffer areas and water diversions will help minimize these potential inputs. Likewise having soil testing data should support the need for field fertilizer applications (see appendix 9).

SERF certification is not intended to preclude the use of pesticides or fertilizer that are necessary to produce a quality crop. Rather, certification is intended to support the balanced use of these tools while protecting public resources like water and the long term health of basic resources such as your soil.

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Integrated Pest Management for Rural Family Farm

Personnel/Contractors trained in IPM SystemsJames Dylan is responsible for the farm IPM program. His training records are listed in Appendix 5.

The general duties of the IPM coordinator on this farm are:• Communicate with employees and contractors on Rural Family farm regarding the

importance of the IPM program.

• Ensure anyone performing pest control activities has the necessary training, appropriate PPE and license needed for the job.

• Keep MSDS sheets up-to-date and available.

• Maintain monitoring records and evaluate/document effectiveness of treatments.

• Refine Pest Threshold Guidelines with additional knowledge and updated training

Farm maintains records of pesticides and fertilizers that include target pest, date, location and other pertinent details.

See appendix 6 for detail

Evidence of utilization of IPM in decisionsAppendix 7 lists the thresholds, by crop species and pest, of some of the common sprays used on the farm.

Where possible, document any policy statements within you plan records. For example, if your plan says something like- “No insecticide applications for midge until 10+ females are spotted or trapped”. Your IPM scouting records should have a record of midge counts.

Inspectors typically would like to see a pesticide application history going 3-5 years

back. There is a broad listing of additional IPM websites and resources in appendix 8

Decisions to spray follow the guidelines listed below:• Every pesticide application is made only after the field has been scouted and the

pest clearly identified.• Many “problems” will not have a “fix” that will be solved with a pesticide application• Many “problems” can be anticipated and alleviated by considering the site-tree-pest

interactions prior to planting. Select the best tree for each site.• When needed, pesticides that are least disruptive to natural controls will be considered first• Cost effectiveness, likely results, market requirements and IPM principles will be balanced

in the decision process.• Consideration of beneficial organisms will all be part of the final control decisions.• Broadcast sprays of non-specific pesticides are considered as a last solution, after other

options have proven ineffective or prohibitively expensive.

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Integrated Pest Management Section (continued)

Pesticide application is contracted to an outside companyAll pesticide application is done by Zeke’s Agro after James Dylan, of Rural Family Farms, has made the decision that a spray application is needed. Zeke’s Agro keeps certifications and training records for all employees, and only licensed pesticide applicators are allowed to spray. No pesticides or pesticide application equipment is kept on site.

A listing of additional IPM website resources are provided in Appendix 8.

If contractors are used for pesticide applications, the farm IPM manager is still responsible for the control decision(s), record keeping and reentry postings

Health and Safety on Rural Family Farm

Person(s) designated and trained to oversee farm health and safety

Jane Doe is Rural Family Farm’s Health and Safety Manager.

Employees/Contractors adequately trained for activities performed

All farm employees receive training upon hire. Employees are trained on their job specific responsibilities.

Zeke’s Agro is responsible for application of all agrochemicals at Rural Family Farm. All of the contracted employees used have proof of training in agrochemical transport, handling, mixing and application methods.

Nutrients are applied by farm employees. All of these employees are trained in nutrient handling and application methods. They receive training prior to beginning any work that includes interaction with nutrient applications. These employees are retrained any changes are made, such as the purchase of new equipment. All of this training is document with dates, times, trainee names, training curriculum, and trainer signature.

Health and Safety risks on the farm are identified and training provided

MSDS sheets and Pesticide Labels are stored in the farm office.

The farm maintains the following personal protective equipment for all employees:- Safety goggles- Gloves- Coveralls for use when applying nutrients/pesticides

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- Ear plugs- Masks

All equipment is kept clean and in good condition. Coveralls are laundered on site to avoid cross contamination. Rural Family Farms has an agreement with Zeke’s Agro that their employees are provided with personal protective equipment anytime they are on site applying agrochemicals.

If you hold a farm update or safety meeting keep meeting notes or an agenda as a record. Have employees initial or sign for training receive.

Storage Procedures at Rural Family Farms:

The farm has a designated storage area for all pest control products used on the farm. No agrochemicals used for crop application are used on farm as that work is performed by a contractor. With items like solvents, paint thinners etc., the farm has installed a new cabinet that is kept locked with keys kept by the farm manager, the head of farm maintenance as well as by the Health and Safety Manager. Employees have been trained to ensure that all products have purchase dates, labels and use records.The farm also maintains signage around storage areas to warn people of flammables and potential safety risks. The following storage areas include signage:- Fuel storage- Pest control products - Electrical box

Any violations have been correctedNone reported

First-aid/CPR certifications are present and up-to-dateJane Doe—American Heart Assoc.-Health Professional-First Aid/CPR Card #xxxx exp. 2/1/2012

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Economic Management on Rural Family Farms

Communication and coordination with farm contractors and suppliersRural Family Farms maintains a written contract with all vendors. Currently the only area that collaboration with vendors on sustainability practices is occurring is the topic of job specific training. The farm does not currently hire consultants for guidance. However the farm maintains a positive relationship with the local Iowa State University Extension agent.

Farm Management and Efficiency

Record keeping is not extensive however Rural Family Farms keeps documented records of the following on farm:- Use of non-renewable fuel used- Total water pulled from wells by month- Rainfall records tracked by rain event- Crop rotations by field and year - Nutrient application by date, location and amounts applies- Soil test records – samples taken and tested every two years, records maintained for six years (not

six testing cycles) - Training records for all employees trained on the farm

Financial Record KeepingMatt Jones, the accountant at Rural Family Farms, is responsible for maintaining the following financial records:- Balance Sheet- Income Statement- Statement of Cash Flows

Matt Jones is in the beginning stages of calculating and recording ratios to measures of the farm’s solvency and liquidity. He has set a deadline of 1/1/16 for calculating the farm’s ratios and re-calculating the ratios annually or when changes to the farm are made that impact cash flow or farm capital.

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