Tom Martin

What is the background to your Elgin Clean Water Program Project?
Erosion has always been a problem on my farm, especially after multiple days of heavy rainfall. In order to reduce erosion, grassed waterways were established causing my fields to become triangular, as opposed to rectangular. These triangular fields were difficult to work, especially as farm equipment became larger. I needed another solution to reduce erosion on my farm, which lead to the creation of eight wetlands on my property.

What sort of project was finally undertaken?
A series of eight wetlands were created on marginal land to capture, filter, and release water slowly into a municipal drain on my farm. Once the wetlands were created and began managing water, the grassed waterways were removed. Their removal has allowed for more efficient movement of farm equipment and has minimized herbicide overlap issues on my farm. From an agri-business perceptive, the loss of marginal land for wetland creation and the gain of productive land due to the removal of grassed waterways has been beneficial to my overall farming operation.

Have you seen any improvements to your property after completing the project?
The creation of these eight wetlands has probably been the best thing to happen to my farm in my lifetime. The wetlands have reduced erosion and nutrient runoff on my farm. After heavy rainfalls I have noticed that the wetlands have not only slowed and captured runoff, but have also helped filter nutrients, increasing the quality of water leaving my farm.

Working my fields is also more enjoyable since the removal of grassed waterways, and I have seen animal species on my farm that have never been present before. These wetlands have been a real joy for my family and for the health of my farm.