Tennessee may seem a long way from the Gulf of Mexico, but water from Tennessee and 30 other states flows down the mighty Mississippi River before reaching the Gulf. Agricultural runoff from Tennessee and elsewhere contributes to the nutrient load in the Mississippi and, eventually, to contaminants reaching the Gulf. There, a large "dead zone" exists where waters are depleted of oxygen and unable to support most marine life.

Many believe that installing significant acres of filter strips on agricultural lands within the Mississippi drainage basin would reduce the river's nutrient load and revitalize the "dead zone". On his Tennessee farm, Franklin James has established 90 acres of CRP grass filter strips along creeks which drain into the Mississippi. Nutrients and other materials settle onto the filter strips rather than entering Franklin's creeks. As more farmers like Franklin plant CRP filter strips along our waterways, the Gulf's nutrient load is expected to decline, improving water quality and providing a healthier marine life environment.

Franklin James' filter strips help reduce the nutrient load reaching the Gulf coast, a change believed to improve water quality and marine life.

Aerial photo of Franklin James Farm depicting CRP grass filter strips.

Aerial photo of Franklin James Farm displaying "green" CRP grass filter strips and "white" cotton fields.

Franklin James standing within CRP grass filter strip alongside cotton crop.

Franklin James standing within CRP grass filter strip.

Franklin James and his wife Dot James outside their home.