News

Farmers take to the water

Farmers are setting sail on Lake Erie to learn about environmental challenges.

For the last few years, Amy Gilhouse, conservation district technician in the Western Lake Erie Basin, has been organizing the From Fields to the Great Lakes programs to take farmers onto Lake Erie and educate about agriculture’s role in the basin.

Gilhouse says there was a need for farmers to get on the water and see for themselves what was happening.  “It’s been exciting because it’s really a farmer to farmer encouragement for more people to get down there and see what’s going on.”

She says algal blooms in Lake Erie are not just an agricultural issue.

“All community members are taking a look at what they can do to be a part of helping to heal the lakes.”  She tells Brownfield, “Farmers in the Western Lake Erie Watershed Basin have been very proactive in wanting an opportunity to learn more and get more farmers down to the Great Lakes.”

The Fields to Great Lakes program takes farmers on Appledore Tall Ships for water quality and environmental educational sails.  The 85 foot long, two-masted schooners are seting sail this week for three half day programs.  Gilhouse will also take farmers to the Lake Erie Islands for two water quality field days this August.

She says the workshops provide experiential opportunities to learn about the blooms and what conservation practices promote water resource protection.

AUDIO: Interview with Amy Gilhouse (2:40 mp3):