Conservation Buffers

Beneficial Effects

Adding conservation buffers to crop fields can provide several benefits for farms. Conservation buffers are narrow areas planted with perennial vegetation that are mainly used to reduce water runoff and help prevent pesticides and fertilizers from leaving the field. They can also provide valuable habitat for pollinators, beneficial insects, and wildlife. In many cases, perennial grass buffers are planted along field edges, especially in areas where water naturally flows downhill. Woody plants may also be used in riparian buffer areas along streams, ponds, or lakes.

Reducing Water Erosion

Conservation buffers may also be planted along the contours of a field to help reduce erosion caused by water. The appropriate width depends on the slope of the field and the specific purpose of the buffer, but most conservation buffers are typically between 10 and 30 feet wide.