By: Jesse Bussard

When Kinley Coulter moved his family from York County to Juniata County, Pennsylvania, 20 years ago, he traded in his used car lot for a different kind of enterprise: farming. Today, that decision has grown into Coulter Farms, a thriving certified organic, grass-based dairy operation that produces artisanal dairy products while implementing conservation practices to protect natural resources.

The farm, managed by Kinley and his sons Jared, Jason, and Jacob, supports four families through its integrated dairy and processing operation. With approximately 300 acres of grass-based organic production, the farm maintains a milking herd of about 60 dairy cows and a small herd of replacement heifers. The operation produces and directly markets organic cheese, butter, yogurt and other dairy products to customers at farmers markets in the Washington, D.C. area.

"We're interested in keeping things as clean as possible on the farm," said Jared Coulter, who handles much of the day-to-day farm operations. "I feel like we're supposed to be stewards of God's creation, and part of that is keeping the environment clean."

Jersey dairy calves in a pen at Coulter Farms.
Jersey dairy calves in a pen at Coulter Farms. Photo credit: Jesse Bussard

Addressing Resource Concerns

This stewardship ethic led the Coulters to work with the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and the Juniata County Conservation District to address resource concerns on their farm. A key focus was managing nutrient runoff from their dairy operation and imported poultry manure the family uses to fertilize their organic grasslands.

Juniata County Conservation District and USDA-NRCS are pictured with Jared Coulter and his daughter.
The Coulter family worked with staff from the Juniata County Conservation District and USDA-NRCS to apply for funding and implement conservation best management practices in their operation. Pictured L to R: Maria Rickenbaugh and Lori Glace, Juniata County Conservation District; Jared Coulter and daughter, Coulter Farms; Melissa Erdman, USDA-NRCS. Photo credit: Jesse Bussard

"Before, we were storing manure outside, and there was a lot of runoff," Jared explained. "We had manure stored on a pad up top, and it was running down through the driveway. Until now, we didn't have the resources to address it properly."

The Coulters worked with USDA-NRCS conservation planners and engineers to develop a comprehensive conservation plan beginning in January 2021 with an inventory and evaluation of the farm's resource concerns. Engineering specialists assessed soil conditions and designed appropriate structural practices to address nutrient leaching and runoff issues. 

Making Conservation Affordable

Through funding from the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) and USDA-NRCS's Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Coulters implemented multiple conservation practices including:

  • A roofed heavy-use area with a concrete slab and curbing
  • Covered manure storage facility
  • Four-strand electric and woven-wire fencing
  • Underground outlets and subsurface drainage
  • Access roads and walkways
  • Roof runoff management systems

The new roofed heavy use area at Coulter Farms.
The new roofed heavy use area at Coulter Farms. Photo credit: USDA-NRCS
Close up view of the finished roofed heavy use area. Photo credit: USDA-NRCS
Close up view of the finished roofed heavy use area.

ACAP, administered by the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission, provides funding to help farmers implement agricultural best management practices that improve water quality. When combined with EQIP funding, these programs made the conservation project financially feasible for the operation.

An improved roadway was installed to access the heavy use area for cleaning and maintenance.
An improved roadway was installed to access the heavy use area for cleaning and maintenance. Photo credit: USDA-NRCS
A special bale feeder was designed and installed for livestock.
A special bale feeder was designed and installed for livestock. Photo credit: USDA-NRCS

"It would have been a stretch for us. I don't think we could have done it without the amount of funding we got because it was just out of our budget range," Jared noted.

While the project had challenges, including contractors adapting to prevailing wage requirements, the Coulters found strong support from their conservation partners throughout the process. Jared even assisted with some construction aspects, helping with water line installation and framing work.

Results and Impact

Fast forwarding to 2024, the Coulters have found that the new facilities have dramatically improved the farm's environmental impact and operational efficiency. The new covered manure storage protects both imported poultry manure and heifer manure from rainfall, preventing nutrient-laden runoff from reaching nearby streams.

The unique tiered design of the roofed heavy use area building allows it also to be used as a manure storage facility while making cleanup quick and easy.
The unique tiered design of the roofed heavy use area building allows it to also be used as a manure storage facility while making cleanup quick and easy. Photo credit: Jesse Bussard

"Imagine this filled with manure and raining like it is now," said Melissa Erdman, USDA-NRCS district conservationist for Juniata County, during a particularly wet farm visit. "The runoff situation has been completely transformed."

For farmers considering similar conservation projects, Jared highly recommends exploring available programs and working with local conservation professionals. The experience has helped Coulter Farms continue its mission of producing exceptional organic dairy products while protecting the Susquehanna watershed and the environment.

ACAP funding also allowed the Coulters to install four-strand electric and woven wire fencing, improving their grazing management.
ACAP funding also allowed the Coulters to install four-strand electric and woven wire fencing, improving their grazing management. Photo credit: Jesse Bussard

"It's important to keep the waterways clean as much as possible," Jared said. "It's also just nice to keep things clean and neat. It's a lot more motivating to work in an atmosphere that's not muddy and messy."

Farmers interested in following the Coulters' example can learn how to access ACAP funding in their county by contacting their local Penn State Extension office. With support from conservation professionals and available funding programs, other Pennsylvania farmers can implement similar practices to protect water quality while improving their operations.