Collaboration with the USDA – North Appalachian Experimental Watershed Research Facility at Coshocton, Ohio

The North Appalachian Experimental Watershed (NAEW) is a unique outdoor laboratory that develops innovative farming practices and tests their effects on soil, water, and air.  The research location was established as a conservation station in the late 1930’s to study the effects of soils, land management, geology, and climate on hydrology, soil erosion, and sediment production.  Data from Coshocton represent one of the two longest continuous hydrologic records for watersheds of this size in the world, and have been used in the development of most of the soil and water resource management systems in use today. 

AMP has been collaborating with ARS and stakeholders to develop new initiatives addressing soil and water research opportunities, both on site and within surrounding watersheds.  At Coshocton there are plans for a new dairy grazing research facility that is being sponsored by a national consortium of producers, ARS scientists and administrators.  This effort will be accomplished collaboratively with OSU and OARDC as well as the large grazing producer community in southeastern Ohio, and surrounding areas and states.  In addition, ARS scientists at Coshocton have been participating in watershed research sponsored by AMP and are funded by grants from the USDA-NRI. Contact Leah Miller, leah@smallfarminstitute.org  or David Barker, barker.169@osu.edu  for more information.