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Baca County, Colorado, located in the semi-arid, southeastern corner of the state, is considered by locals to be a land of sifting sand, constant breezes, abundant sunshine, and sporadic rainfall. Residents of Baca County take pride in their strong work ethic. This work ethic coupled with a fervent sense of stewardship toward the land has resulted in highly successful participation in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Baca County is comprised of 1,637,426 acres, including 887,096 acres of cropland used primarily for the production of forage, wheat, corn, grain sorghum and sunflowers. Of these cropland acres, more than 262,868 acres are enrolled in CRP.
Much of Baca County is sandy soil and the entire county is considered highly erodible - susceptible to the impacts of both wind and water erosion. During the midst of the dust bowl era in the 1930's and again during the severe drought of the 1950's, Baca County was hard-hit experiencing severe dust storms," dirt drifts", and buried fence rows. During that time, air quality was so poor that Baca County residents hung wet rags in their windows attempting to keep blowing soil out of their homes.
The 1986 CRP enrollment period presented Baca County producers with an opportunity to benefit financially while helping protect the precious and fragile cropland. Not wanting to relive the dust bowl days and recognizing a chance to protect and preserve their environment, landowner response to CRP was overwhelming. Baca County quickly reached the 25 percent acreage enrollment limitation. With still more interest in the CRP program, Baca County was one of only five Colorado counties to receive a special waiver allowing up to 30 percent of the county's cropland acres to be enrolled in CRP.
CRP practices in Baca County range from native, warm-season grass and legume mixtures to a combination of grasses and shrubs suitable for enhancing wildlife habitat. With the establishment of CRP acres, wildlife numbers in Baca County have increased - especially deer and various upland bird species.
"CRP has most definitely been instrumental in controlling erosion, preserving wildlife, and generating a healthier economy for Baca County's agricultural community. I view CRP as one of the most beneficial programs implemented for agriculture," said Rosalie Bitner, Baca County CRP landowner.
From 2001 to 2004, Baca County faced one of the worst drought periods on record, but this time, the land was prepared to weather the harsh conditions. The countryside was blanketed with vegetation planted through the CRP. The landscape was brown and dry, but no soil drifted into the neighboring fence rows and no blowing sand darkened the skies. The well-planned and maintained CRP practices helped ensure that air quality was not adversely affected by the dry, windy conditions.
Fence rows covered by drifting soil blown off cropland was not an uncommon sight in Baca County, Colorado, before CRP.
Soil eroding from the cropland and creating drifts on the CRP acreage.
Photo taken in 2005 of established CRP cover.
Photo taken on April 12, 1976, at the South East Colorado Experiment Station.
Unprotected topsoil ravaged by persistent winds in Baca County, Colorado, can blow and drift like sand in the desert.
This photo was taken on April 12, 1976, at the South East Colorado Experiment Station. Two area farmers were tilling the soil using chisel shanks and running 6-8 inches deep. Part of the field had been chiseled twice before that spring leaving the soil susceptible to wind erosion.
The same field from the 1976 photos now devoted to established CRP cover. What a difference CRP has made in Baca County.
The difference between CRP (left) and cropland in Baca County is visible in the effects of wind soil erosion. In these fields, fine, sandy soil erodes off the cropland and accumulates in the center foreground. Vegetative cover on the CRP acreage catches the blowing soil as well as holds in place the topsoil under the cover.
Soil eroding from the cropland has created drifts on the CRP acreage. Vegetative cover on the CRP acreage catches the blowing soil and also holds in place the topsoil on the acreage.
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