Enderlin, ND (WDAY TV) - A farmer near Enderlin North Dakota is allowing researchers to use his field as their laboratory. The study called discovery farms is testing how much fertilizer is actually running off of fields; WDAY 6 Reporter Todd Kurtz has the story.
Kent Bartholomay is one of 3 farmers in North Dakota donating their land for this project. 6 years ago Bartholomay laid drain tile in this field to help grow a better crop, now he has a couple silver buildings on his land gathering information that will help him and other farmers in the future.
Water, directed by the drain tile and this wooden barrier is then sucked into this silver building and tested for contamination.
"That's what the whole projects about, ya know if we need to change something."
Along with learning how to keep that fertilizer from draining into our rivers, it will also help farmers grow a strong crop and in return earn them more money.
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"Fertilizer costs too much you don't want to waste that."
It's been a slow process to get started. Now in its first year, it still has another 10 to go.
"Someday what they learn here might make EPA back off on some of the regulations."
And that's what Bartholomay is counting on; he says it's definitely not about money.
"No, no, no money, no money, we isn't getting no money from nobody it's just to do stuff right for the environment."
So far nothing lost, nothing gained but a farmer with a desire to help others like him, and keep this earth healthy. In 2006 Bartholomay was the Cass County soil conservation winner.
