The Piedmont section of South Carolina has a heavy concentration of non-confined cattle. It is a common practice for cattle to use creeks and streams as a water source. CRP provisions recently expanded to allow enrollment of Riparian Buffers on pastureland located next to permanent water bodies. Initially, there was very little interest in this practice because no alternate water source for livestock was provided. However, interest increased when the practice was expanded to allow cost-share assistance to install wells.

One county with Riparian Buffer success is Newberry. For this reason, Newberry County was chosen as the site of the South Carolina CRP Training Session and Tour for the Piedmont District in March 2004. The group toured approved Riparian Buffers on Richard Crump's farm and Satterwhite Farms. Crump is a minister and owner of a pure-bred, angus-beef cattle farm. Satterwhite Farms is a full-time family farm that is a combination dairy/beef cattle/hog/row crop.

The Riparian Buffer on Richard's land is on an unnamed creek that flows into Little River, which empties into the Saluda River, which forms Lake Murray. The Riparian Buffer on Satterwhite Farms is on Bush River, which flows into the Saluda River, which empties into Lake Murray. Lake Murray provides hydro-electricity for South Carolina Electric and Gas and is a major source of public drinking water for the Columbia, South Carolina, metropolitan area.

One of the major benefits both Richard and Satterwhite Farms say they've seen is that the health of their animals has greatly improved by keeping them fenced out of the streams and providing them with a constant supply of clean well water.

Mr. Crump left, Frank Lake (FSA) right. Mr. Crump is explaining to the training group the benefits he has received from the Riparian Buffer.

Pictured is the Saluda River on the Satterwhite farm. The area has been approved for a Riparian Buffer.