Team of South Carolina Landowners Protect Water Quality and Enhance Wildlife Habitat

Walking through the fields of Egypt Farms, LLC, in Bennettsville, SC, one immediately feels the serenity that envelops the area. The only sound is that of birds and other wildlife that roam the entire 933 acres. If you’re quiet, you may be lucky enough to spot a turkey or one of the many deer that inhabit the farm. Walk along the perimeter of the farm and you’ll spot the Pee Dee River, which is one of the elements that attracts wildlife to this area. The present owners of Egypt Farms, LLC, wanted to protect the farm, the river, and the wildlife, so they applied for cost-share through the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Recently, they began planting 107 acres to CRP riparian buffers. Previously, the farm was planted in cotton and the surrounding river was unprotected from polluted runoff from the numerous fields.

In September of 1999, a group of eight gentlemen combined their resources and their love for wildlife and purchased the large farm. Ranging from doctors and lawyers to publishers, the group of friends has similar goals for the farm. They want to enhance wildlife habitat and establish a hunting club, as well as offset their cost with tree planting and farming. When Bennettsville NRCS District Conservationist Teresa Babb heard this, she immediately suggested CRP and the landowners knew that the program would help them accomplish their long-term plans. Paul Blackwell, president of Egypt Farms, LLC, praised Babb and the Bennettsville NRCS staff for the assistance he received. “I found the staff at NRCS to be very helpful in educating us about the programs available that would help our team accomplish our goals.”

On February 23, 2000, 107 acres of Egypt Farms was planted to CRP riparian buffers. NRCS staff, the eight landowners, and a forester and his tree planters were present at the farm to make sure everything went smoothly. Jack B. Robinson, environmental forester from Lancaster, provided a team of laborers who diligently planted trees in unison and with a precision that looked almost choreographed. Robinson has planted 100,000 acres since 1977 and Blackwell and the other landowners spoke highly of his expertise. New riparian buffer standards were followed whereby plantings must include both hardwoods and pine. Planting included a row of Cherry Bark Oak, Loblolly Pine, and another row of oak. To enhance wildlife habitat, Switchgrass, Kobe Lespedeza, and Partridge Pea were planted.

Babb is thrilled with this project and praises the landowners for their environmental awareness and dedication to conservation. “It’s nice to work with a group of landowners that really has a passion for the environment and is so enthusiastic,” she says.  The O’Neal brothers have farmed this land for nearly 20 years and are now working with the new owners. Babb says the O’Neal’s have always worked hard to protect and maintain the wildlife habitat at the farm. Both Babb and Blackwell said that the O’Neal brothers are outstanding conservationists. “Luckily, the O’Neal’s are very wildlife oriented so they understand our objective out here,” commented Blackwell. The group has discussed planting corn and soybeans to benefit wildlife and the O’Neal’s are in agreement. Plans are also in the works for annual wildlife food plots planted in a 15-acre dove field.

Egypt Farms, LLC, is located within an Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) state water quality priority area that drains into Crooked Creek and the Pee Dee River. The riparian buffers are providing a great barrier for the Pee Dee River. The landowners have plans to expand their riparian buffer project in the future. A 5-acre duck pond is planned for next year as well.  For now, the group feels confident that they are protecting the farm and its wildlife as well as the river that surrounds the area. “We are proud of this farm and want to do everything we can to protect it—not only for us but for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. With a little time and effort I believe we can make a difference in the environmental health of this farm,” says Blackwell.

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