Dave (left) and Matt Young of Red Knob Farm participate in the Lancaster Farms project. As well as working on more efficient nutrient use, the brothers and Matt’s son Andy have practiced no-till farming for more than six years. (Photo: Courtesy Andy Young)

Dave and Matt Young of Red Knob Farm in Pennsylvania and Matt's son Andy have practiced no-till farming for more than six years and were among the first to join Lancaster Farms project, a Center for Conservation Incentives project. Since 2004, Lancaster Farms has worked with a growing number of farmers each year in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The project hit the ground with 27 farmers in 2004 and in 2006 grew to include 55 farmers. Now this voluntary, incentives-based effort to help agricultural landowners improve nutrient-use efficiency is expanding to more farmers over a wider geographic range. The new goal is to enroll at least 300 Pennsylvania and Maryland farmers over the next three years.