The seed dispersion is part of a soil conservation and improvement practice that was last done in this area in the 1980s, Christian Bench, a soil conservation technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
On Sept. 18 Downstown Aero Crop Services chief pilot Ed Carter dropped seed over designated West Amwell, East Amwell, Hillsborough and Branchburg township farms, said Bench.
That afternoon there were still about 150 acres to complete coverage of the 1,141 acres in the program this year in three Central Jersey counties. Almost all of the land is in Hunterdon and Somerset counties; one 50-acre field is in Warren County.
Planting a winter cover crop such as rye has long been a farming practice. What's different this time is that a mix of four seeds is being dispersed over soybean and corn fields that will be harvested next month through early November.
Program coordinators said that multiple seed species mimics nature, where a variety of plants contribute to soil microbiology to make it healthier.
The four-seed winter cover is expected to reduce soil erosion, act as a natural tiller to loosen soil, increase soil nutrient levels and allow soils to better retain water.
Bench said the hope is that the seeds will germinate and seedlings will be one-two inches tall before the harvest begins. The speed that combines move through fields, along with their large "flotation" tires, ensure that the seedlings aren't damaged, said Bench.
And once that cash crop is removed, more sunlight will reach the seedlings and "then they'll really start growing."
NRCS soil scientists will monitor the soil quality in these fields for the next three years, while the program contract is in force, to assess changes in the soil conditions as a means of measuring benefits from the conservation practice.
The plane has been reloading seed at Alexandria Field, aided by equipment from Clucas Farms of Tewksbury Township.
A program spokesperson said that many residents were aware of the seed dispersion plane because of a press release seen on NJ.com. She said that municipalities were also notified in advance of the Soil Health Initiative seed "spraying."
Some concerned residents, particularly in Somerset County, still called authorities, worried that chemicals were being sprayed, Bench said. He understood the confusion, saying it's not easy to tell that the plane is dusting seeds over crops.
The North Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council is implementing watershed restoration plans for the Neshanic and Musconetcong watersheds, using state Department of Environmental Protection grants.
As a result, farmers within those targeted watersheds did not pay toward the cost of the seed dispersal, said Bench, and others paid a small portion of the cost.
Next year, the targeted watersheds could change, he added.
Farmers interested in joining the program next year should inquire at the NRCS office on Pittstown Road in Franklin Township.
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