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Contact

Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
13061 Fitzwater Drive
Nokesville, VA 20181
Tel: (703) 594-3621
pwswcd@pwswcd.org

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Topic of Interest Education Farming Home Owners Horse Owners

Many thanks to our Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm Project Public and Private Partners:
Angler Enviornmental
Bar-Bar-A Horse Drinker
B&R Contracting & Fencing
Blue Top Farm
Clean Water Project
of VA Waters-Wetlands
CFC Farm and Home
Crawford Fencing
DCR
Ducks Unlimited
Fairfax Water
Kencove Farm Fence
Luck Stone Corp
Mistfield Farm
Morgan Excavating
Nokesville Horse Society
Northern VA Coalition of
Equestrian Org.
O2 Compost
Prince Wm. County
Supv. Wally Covington
Supv. Martin E. Nohe
Supv. John T. Stirrup, Jr.
Prince William-Watershed Mgmt
R.D.B. Trucking
Robert Patterson, Attorney
Seamless Gutter Supply, MD
Southern States,Calverton
Southern States,Manassas
Thomas Jefferson SWCD
USDA - NRCS
VA Cooperative Extension
Virginia Tech-Biological
Systems Engineering
VA Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Serv.
Yankey Farm Service

Welcome Horse Owners!

Chesapeake Bay Horse Farm Project | Helpful Information | Pastures | Facility Management | Manure Management

We are pleased that you are visiting the horse owners’ page where we’ll share District ideas, programs, events, and opportunities especially for horse owners. Many Prince William County horse owners are already familiar with our mission and services. We have visited many of your farms, learned about your concerns and objectives, and are working with you to develop and implement solutions. Your overwhelming interest and support continues to keep us extremely busy! We thank you for your commitment to protecting community waters.

As you read through the many articles we will introduce you to Environmentally Sensitive and Sensible Horsekeeping. Most topics will focus on the management of mud, manure, and pastures. We hope to provide you with the tools to evaluate your land stewardship skills and the inspiration to begin to make needed changes. The steps you take will benefit not only your property and horses, but also local waterways that eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay.

If you are in the dreaming or beginning stage of setting up a horse facility you can get good information on the Basic Costs of Keeping a Horse provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension and contact us for our FREE expert technical assistance.

Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm tour, Tuesday, September 7, 6:30-7:30pm

Join us at Oakwood Farm, 4540 Sudley Road, Gainesville, VA 20155 and:

• See how we turned over-grazed and weedy pastures into healthy, green beauties
• Check out our freeze-proof, low maintenance, automatic, and non-electric water troughs
• See five different types of fencing
• Learn how to feed hay free choice without waste and muck
• Cutting edge solar technology composter that quickly converts manure waste to a marketable/profitable product with chore efficiency

And much more! We will answer your questions that will help you make wise decisions for your horse operation, such as, using pasture mix vs. single species, whether to spray vs. mowing weeds, etc. This FREE tour is just in time for your fall seeding preparations.

Contact Nicole Ethier, 703.594.3621 or email for more Information. Registration due by September 1, no fee.

Upcoming Educational Event at the University of Maryland, College Park, Equine Rotational Demonstration Farm

September 11, 9am-3pm, Horse Pasture Seminar, Registration and fee ($25) due by September 3

Topics include:

• Grass and weed identification
• Weed control methods Runoff management
• Benefits of pasture to horses and the environment
• Basic elements of a pasture renovation plan
• Where and how to apply for money for pasture improvements
  

Stockpiling for Winter Grazing in Drought Years: A Leap of Faith

Money for Farmers:  Virginia Agricultual Cost-Share and Tax credit program is now accepting applications for the current fiscal year. Contact us for eligibility.

The Chesapeake Bay-Friendly Horse Farm Project

is a public/private partnership that has created a model horse farm for the purpose of identifying and sharing land management practices that benefit horsekeepers and the environment. Through this web site, seminars, farm tours, and other on-site workshops we want to share information about the sensible and environmentally-sensitive horsekeeping practices that we have used.

Oakwood Farm is a private property. Appointments may be made for a tour by calling 703.594.3621.

The installation of Best Management Practices, also known as BMPs, began in late March 2009 and has continued through the completion in June 2010.

If you don't have time to read our lengthy report, here's a quick guide to finding the topics of interest to you:
Project Background

Spring 2009
Installation of streamside buffer fencing
Insallation of the sacrifice area/bluestone dust confinement paddocks
Stream Assessment
Gutters and downspouts on the barn
Fencing around the sacrifice area paddocks
Gate Selection
Pasture renovation (southern pastures)
Automatic water trough installation
Interior fencing installation

Spring/Summer 2009
Stream buffer improvements
Runoff management in the sacrifice area
Nokesville Horse Society visit
Installation of high-tensile fencing
Modifications to the interior fencing

Fall 2009
Pasture renovation (northern pastures)

December 2009 - Snow Update
Automatic water trough performance in 18" of snow

Spring 2010 - Summer 2010 O2 composter installation
Use of Stable Grid

Spring 2010 - Summer 2010 Pasture Management

Coming Soon -
Ways to feed hay to keep horses happy and healthy while in confinement


This project received funding from the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund provided by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), via grant number 2007-WQIF-19, and supported by many grant partners.


Photos of Oakwood Farm during Spring 2009 construction

Barnyard Before Construction	Sacrifice Area After Construction
Waterer Before Construction	Waterer After Construction

Another testimonial from one of our clients who received assistance from our conservation specialist, Beata Coss, is getting started on the right foot with the development of their horse property.

Support for Budding "Grass-Farmers" Cost Saving Opportunities through Services

Are you already well on your way to creating green pastures and cleaner waters? If so, we'd like to recognize your efforts! The District has handsome(free!) metal signs that indicate your commitment to protecting community waters in your role as a District "Cooperator." We think they're a "must-have" for the environmentally conscious horse-keeper. Hang it on your farm with pride. Call the District if you've cooperated in the past, if you've been doing the right thing all along, or if you're ready to start earning your sign. We'd like to see them everywhere!


Embrace your vision for your horse property and achieve it on a budget! Here's what we can do for you...Whether you own a few acres, or a large farm, we offer FREE technical assistance to all Prince William County landowners. Any time is a good time to get started with improving your property, or developing your new property. We have the expertise to make your operation efficient in ease of use, effective in using the best tools for your situation, cost effective by giving you exact material recommendations and timing for implementation for your specific property. Call our Conservation Specialists Beata Coss or Nicole Ethier at 703-594-3621, e-mail beatacoss@pwswcd.org or nicoleethier@pwswcd.org.

Helpful Information

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