WQ0004268_2009 Annual Agronomist Report_20100226

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• Quality Vegetables •
February 26, 2010
Mr. -Joel Shields
NCDENR - Division of Water Quality
Aquifer Protection Section
225 Green Street, Suite 714
Fayetteville, NC 28301
RE: Aliens, Inc. — Turkey
Annual Agronomist Report
Dear Mr. Shields:
As required under Condition 10 under Part IV of Permit No. WQ-000426.8, Aliens, Inc. (Aliens)
is providing an Annual Agronomist Report prepared by our consultant, Sheri Herron, of Herron
Soil Interpretations, LLC.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Aliens Inc.
GliZ(4a'
Laura J. Mushinski, CHMM
Director — Environmental Quality
cc: Reid Wells, Aliens — Turkey
Martin Griess, Aliens — Turkey
Sheri Herron, Herron Soil Interpretations
Aliens, Inc. I PO Box 250 I 305 E. Main Street I Siloam Springs, AR 72761

Herron
Soil
Interpretations, LLC
Post Office Box 1086 Phone [phone]
Farmington, Arkansas 72730 Fax [phone]
Annual Agronomy Report
Allen Canning Turkey, NC
Wastewater Irrigation Zones A-D
Current Site Management Practices:
Wastewater irrigation is at permitted rates on Zone D during summer and fall, and on
Zones A, B and C year round. All Zones are planted to Coastal Bermuda and Tall Fescue
perennial grasses, and are drilled with annual Ryegrass each October. Harvesting of
forages occurs as needed and as field conditions allow. Runoff from irrigation zones is
captured and filtered through grassed waterways. Overall, the fields appear to be
adequately accepting wastewater and its constituents. The following changes are
recommended to improve management and create a more sustainable system.
Recommended Management Improvements:
1. Harvesting: Regular and consistent harvesting is imperative to manage soil
phosphorus levels. At current application rates, soil phosphorus levels will
gradually increase, which can increase potential for transport of phosphorus
offsite in stormwater runoff. Annual Ryegrass can remove twice the amount of
phosphorus as Bermuda and Fescue. To ensure the maximum amount of
phosphorus removal from the soils, a harvesting plan should be established with
the farmer that harvests and utilizes the forage offsite. This plan should enable
him adequate time to access the fields without damage to them or his equipment
due to excess moisture. Consider harvesting grass for silage instead of hay to
reduce the amount of time the Zone is unavailable for irrigation, and to protect the
area from damage.
2. Runoff/Ponding: Excessive runoff and ponding in portions of Zone A is resulting
in die off of forages, which results in less nutrient uptake. Monitor irrigation
schedules and rotate to another zone prior to runoff and/or ponding occurring.
Level low spots in zones to avoid ponding. Zone D should be leveled along
contours to remove potential ponding.
3. Rutting: Equipment is causing rutting in several areas, which can result in
channelized flow and transport of nutrients offsite. Installation of fixed irrigation
systems should alleviate the problem, especially in Zone D.
4. SAR (Sodium Adsorption Ration): The wastewater contains significant amounts
of sodium which can, over time, result in build up of sodium in the soil. High
levels of soil sodium can result in sealing and loss of permeability in the soil. The
current levels in all Zones are not high enough to be of concern at this time.
Continued monitoring of levels is recommended and, if showing an increasing
trend, a plan should be developed for long term, sustainable management. Using
Gypsum can reduce sodium concentrations in the upper soil horizons (layers), but
Arkansas Registered Soil Classifiers * ARCPACS Certified Soil Scientists

can result in greater concentrations and loss of permeability in the subsoil, so
should only be used when necessary and in accordance with an overall field
management plan.
Report prepared by:
Sheri Herron, M.S., PSC, CPSSc
Principal Soil Scientist
ARCPACS Certified Soil Scientist #24868
Arkansas Registered Soil Classifiers * ARCPACS Certified Soil Scientists