Environmental Management in the Mushroom Industry by Adam Mowery. Mushroom Industry Conference June 15, 2010

Transcription

1 Environmental Management in the Mushroom Industry by Adam Mowery Mushroom Industry Conference June 15, 2010

2 Mushroom Farm Environmental Management Plan (MFEMP) A carefully documented plan that outlines how your farm should be managed to prevent pollution incidents and to maintain and improve the conditions of the soil, water, and air resources. Required by PA DEP if: Grow mushrooms Make fresh mushroom substrate or; Process spent mushroom substrate

3 MFEMP Contents Maps Wastes and Handling Best Management Practices (BMPs) Land Application Nutrient Management Air Quality Management Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Storm Water Management Emergency Preparedness Plan Farmer Approval and Agreement Sheet

4 Who Prepares the Plan? Private Consultants and the Conservation District Conservation District/NRCS Reviews the MFEMP as submitted by the consultant Site visit required Will work with the plan writer and farmer to devise a system that is manageable and reasonable Available to provide technical assistance for the implementation of BMPs

5 Best Management Practices (BMPs) Definition: Effective, practical, structural or nonstructural methods which prevent or reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, pesticides and other pollutants from the land to surface or ground water What does this mean for mushroom farmers?

6 Dirty Water Collection It is referred to as dirty water because of nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Chloride, Suspended Solids) At elevated amounts these nutrients can be harmful to vegetation, wildlife, and water resources (surface/groundwater)

7 Interior Mushroom House Water Most Commonly Used BMPs Drop Box Exterior Interior Trench * Ultimately, the goal is to collect all the wash-down water from the mushroom doubles as well as PEAT MOSS BUILDINGS

8 Wharf Runoff Phase I Phase II

9 BMPs for Wharf Collection Roll Curbs Allows trucks to drive onto the wharf Slanted Curbs Swales Easier for conveyers to operate Transfer runoff to drop box Drop Box Screens recommended

10 Waste Storage Facilities How much water do you generate? Currently, using 550 gal/dbl/wk to size storage facilities Can range from 100 1,000 gallons 2 rainfall from the wharf Recommendations Prefer at least 3 months storage capacity More flexibility for wastewater irrigation Settling Tanks Settling out solids and peat moss

11 Options for Storage Round or Rectangular Concrete Tank HPDE Lined Lagoon Constructed Wetlands Less Storage Capacity Pump Tanks Manholes

12 What to do with your wastewater? 1) Recycle / Reuse 2) Wastewater Treatment Strip 3) Constructed Wetlands

13 1) Recycle/Reuse We encourage farmers to take the water back to the fresh mushroom composters They are often in need of water, especially during the summer months Problem: It can be expensive to have the wastewater pumped and hauled

14 2) Wastewater Treatment Strip Irrigation BMPs: Manifold System - Spreader Pipe Sprinkler System - Guns with diameter spray * NOTE: Vegetation removal required

15 Guidelines for Wastewater Application Specified in your MFEMP Based Upon Soil Types Setbacks Soil Test Wastewater Test Can be used to irrigate and fertilize an existing perennial crop (hay) or seasonal field crop Seasons Spring: Most beneficial for conserving nutrients Summer: Suitable for small grain stubble fields, or seldom used pastures Fall: Usually greater nutrient loss unless wastewater is injected or incorporated Winter: Least desirable from a nutrient perspective and pollution potential

16 3) Constructed Wetlands Most beneficial for farmers with limited space for a wastewater treatment strip OR for a farm too far from a fresh mushroom composting operation More studies need to be conducted to measure their effectiveness at treating mushroom wastewater Certain limitations: Winter Months Nutrient Loading Operation and Maintenance Harvest vegetation Remove solids periodically Settling tank(s) required

17 Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS) Passive & Active Composting In Field Stacking SMS Land Application

18 Passive Composting Guidelines: Windrows Perpendicular to the contours (up and down the hill) Space in between each windrow established in grass Pervious Stacking Area 1 year of composting, 2 years of crops with removal Sufficient filter area Lush vegetation that is removed 2-4 times a year Impervious Stacking Area Low Flow Collection Sufficient filter area

19 Active Composting Guidelines: Must be impervious surface Asphalt, concrete, compacted stone Contain and collect all liquids Not within 100 ft. of wetland, sinkhole, perennial stream Divert storm-water around pad

20 In Field Stacking Guidelines: No more than 180 days Separated from high water table by at least 20 inches 300 ft. from drinking water source 100 ft. from stream, wetland, spring, or sinkhole Maximum volume not to exceed what will be land applied in field

21 SMS Land Application Increase soil organic matter Slower release of nitrogen 20% N available the first year Improve soil for 3-5 years High water holding capacity Reduce need for inorganic fertilizers Should be applied with a manure spreader for uniform application

22 SMS Land Application Con t Seasonal Applications: Hay Fields: ½ inch to 1 inch application (not to smother grass) Corn Fields Most applications made in the Spring and Fall Compost should be incorporated into the soil

23 Crop Typical Yield SMS Maximum Annual Application Rate/Acre Inches/Acre Corn Grain 100 bushel 30 tons (105 yd 3 ) 1.8 Corn Grain 125 bushel 40 tons (140 yd 3 ) Corn Grain 150 bushel 50 tons (175 yd 3 ) 1.3 Corn Grain 175 bushel 60 tons (225 yd 3 ) 1.7 Corn Silage 17 tons 40 tons (140 yd 3 ) 1.1 Corn Silage 20 tons 50 tons (175 yd 3 ) 1.3 Corn Silage 23 tons 50 tons (175 yd 3 ) Corn Silage 26 tons 60 tons (225 yd 3 ) 1.7 Grass hay 3 3 tons 50 tons (175 yd 3 ) 1.3 Grass hay 3 4 tons 60 tons (225 yd 3 ) Grass hay 3 5 tons 80 tons (280 yd 3 ) 2.1 Wheat 50 bushel 15 tons (52 yd 3 ).4 Wheat 60 bushel 20 tons (70 yd 3 ).5 Wheat 70 bushel 20 tons (105 yd 3 ) 1.8 Soy beans 30 bushel 30 tons (105 yd 3 ).8 Soy beans 40 bushel 40 tons (140 yd 3 ) 1.1 Soy beans 50 bushel 40 tons (140 yd 3 ) 1.1 General Note: In additional to meeting the nitrogen needs of these crops, these application rates listed above will supply all the necessary phosphorus and potassium needs of the various crops listed above. Please be aware that continual annual applications of these compost materials on farm fields may elevate phosphorus levels in the soils. Farmers are recommended to soil test their fields at least once every three years to monitor phosphorus levels in the soil.

24 What can you do to prevent pollution without BMPs in place? Be aware of where your dirty water is going Is it running directly into a stream, onto the road, or into a drainage ditch? Spent Mushroom Substrate If you store compost on your property then follow our guidelines as closely as possible MOST IMPORTANTLY: Contact us with questions

25 Other Items: Wharf Maintenance Record-Keeping Erosion and Sedimentation (E&S) Measures Operation and Maintenance (O&M)

26 Other Items Con t Projects/Innovative Ideas Owner Involvement Water Conservation

27 Resources Best Practices Manual for Mushroom Industry Conservation District Website ( ) Suggestions/Comments for Conservation District How can we better assist you?

28 Thank You! Any Questions?