Aerator Rental Program

The Winooski Natural Resources Conservation District (WNRCD) has available for farmers a Model 1200S Gen-Till 11 ¼ ft aerator that is available for rent. The District purchased the aerator in 2012 with a grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program. As a service to residents of our District, the aerator is available for rent for $3/acre.

WNRCD promotes the usage of the aerator because of the water quality benefits it can provide, especially when used in conjunction with manure application. Aerator use can increase infiltration into the soil, decrease compaction of the soil and prevent excess nutrient runoff from entering local waterways.

WNRCD recently received a North East Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant to study and promote the use of the aerator as an agricultural best management practice and is working with local farmers and partners to develop outreach materials highlighting the benefits of aerator use. The WNRCD will incorporate data from a multi-year study to quantify water quality benefits from soil aeration, among other agricultural best management practices. This study is being conducted for the Agency of Agriculture by Stone Environmental. Some of WNRCD’s NESARE grant funds are being used to support this study.

WNRCD worked with UVM Extension and the Champlain Valley Farmer’s Coalition to hold an aerator demonstration field day on October 15, 2015 on David Mack’s farm in Shelburne. David Mack demonstrated the use of his larger (20’) Aerway aerator and the use of the District’s aerator, also demonstrated was liquid manure application after passing the aerator across the field. About twenty people participated in the field day, including many farmers. Participants shared their experiences utilizing the equipment. The WNRCD plans to incorporate some of the insights gained from this field day into future outreach materials.

For more information on the WNRCD Aerator rental program and other agricultural best management practices, please visit: www.winooskinrcd.org