geography 5224: GIS in practice - environmental applications

October - December 2003

  final
  Project:  

identifying suitable sites for an organic farm

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 the project report

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Sustainable agricultural practices depend less upon the use of chemicals and heavy machinery, and more upon intensive labor to preserving and maintaining soil health.  An analysis was performed to identify suitable sites for an organic farm in the Lake Raystown (PA) watershed, based on sustainable agricultural practices and other factors that encourage organic farming.  Suitable sites meet the following criteria:

• K-factor is less than 0.3 (produces low to moderate runoff)

• Curve number less than 74 but greater than 0 (high water storage potential, but not water)

• Slope less than 10%

• Privately owned land

• Agricultural land

• Parcels greater than 5 acres

The final map shows the results of the analysis--land that is optimal for organize farming.  The map is useful for farmers who wish to purchase or convert farmland that meet the criteria for optimum sites.  Two other maps show the results of intermediate steps performed as part of the analysis.