Organic and Commercial Soil Fertilizers are Regulated in Washington Co. AR
* Poultry litter (and any other animal manure) applications must be done in accordance
with a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) prepared by a certified planner.
* A Nutrient Management Plan is not required to use commercial fertilizer. See "Using Commercial
Fertilizers" below.
* Nutrient Management Plans must be updated every 5 years.
* Records of ALL nutrient applications (organic and commercial) must be kept for 5 years.
* Soil Samples must be collected every 5 years.
Contact the Conservation District to request a Free Nutrient Management Plan.
Title XXII is the regulation covering the proper utilization of manure and commercial fertilizers in Washington County.
Please visit the Arkansas Natural Resources Conservation Commission website for more information http://www.anrc.arkansas.gov/divisions/conservation/
Certified Nutrient Applicator: Private and Commercial Applicators
Anyone applying nutrients (manures or commercial fertilizers containing phosphorus) to more than 2.5 acres must be a Certified Nutrient Applicator. You must receive training, pay a fee and obtain a license.
Private Applicator
* A person who applies nutrients to land that they own or control.
* Attend training class
* $30.00 certification fee
Commercial Applicator (FOR HIRE)
* A person who derives a substantial portion of income for applying nutrients to land that they do not own or control.
* Attend training class and pass test
* $85.00 in fees
Private Applicator
* A person who applies nutrients to land that they own or control.
* Attend training class
* $30.00 certification fee
Commercial Applicator (FOR HIRE)
* A person who derives a substantial portion of income for applying nutrients to land that they do not own or control.
* Attend training class and pass test
* $85.00 in fees
Using Commercial Fertilizers
You do not need to have a nutrient management plan to apply commercial fertilizers; however, if you intend to apply phosphorus of any kind, you must apply at the rates that do not exceed those recommended on current soils tests results. If you wish to apply Nitrogen and Potassium and do not wish to apply phosphorus in commercial fertilizers, you may follow the published Protective Rate established by the state. The University of Arkansas, Cooperative Extension Service, Washington County (CES) can help you with soils testing and understanding the soil test results. Contact CES at 479-444-1755. Pleae note: Due to our very large planning workload for customers who are required to have NMPs, conservation district employees do not routinely collect soils or write NMPs for persons using only commercial fertilizers. If you use commercial fertilizers, click here for an Commercial Fertilizer Application Record Form (please maintain this record for 5 years). If you have questions about using commercial fertilizers, please contact us.
About fertilizing lawns: People tend to buy fertilizers by brand or because the manufacturer promises super results. Generally speaking, these super fertilizers contain lots of phosphorus; however, most lawns need no phosphorus at all. But how do you know what fertilizer formula and how much of it to apply? To answer these questions, collect and analyze soil samples for each area you intend to fertilize.
Soil analysis is free in Washington County: Contact the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service at (479) 444-1755 for more information.
About fertilizing lawns: People tend to buy fertilizers by brand or because the manufacturer promises super results. Generally speaking, these super fertilizers contain lots of phosphorus; however, most lawns need no phosphorus at all. But how do you know what fertilizer formula and how much of it to apply? To answer these questions, collect and analyze soil samples for each area you intend to fertilize.
Soil analysis is free in Washington County: Contact the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service at (479) 444-1755 for more information.
Arkansas Nutrient Surplus Area (NSA)
The state of Arkansas has identified much of Northwest Arkansas as a high-hazard area where both commercially prepared and manure fertilizers pose a significant threat of runoff pollution. As a result, most of Washington County, Arkansas (the yellow area in the image to the left) is now under special rules for the handling and placement of all phosphorus-containing fertilizers.
2006 Infrared Aerial Photograph of the NSA in Washington County, AR
There are three watersheds affected by the NSA rules: Illinois River, White River and Robert S. Kerr (Arkansas River) Reservoir.
