LONDON, OH -- Five of Ohio's top conservation farm families will be honored at a special ceremony at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, at the Farm Science Review in Madison County. The Conservation Farm Family Awards recognize long-standing dedication to natural resource conservation in farming practices. The awards are sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil & Water Conservation, Ohio Farmer magazine and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Those slated for honors this year are: Carl and Beverly Ayers of Fulton County; Scott and Charlene Stoller from Wayne County; James and Marilyn Mills from Washington County; Keith and Betsy Kemp from Preble County; and Paul (PJ) Ryan of Ryan Farms in Highland County.
Since 1984, the Conservation Farm Family Awards program has recognized nearly 100 Ohio farm families for their exemplary efforts toward conserving soil, water, woodland, wildlife and other natural resources. Conservation farm families also host a variety of educational programs, opening their farms to schools, scout groups, farm organizations and others.
These awards recognize Ohio farm families who strive to protect the environment while producing the vital food and fiber crops that are so important to our economy and our well being, said Larry Vance, chief of the ODNR Division of Soil & Water Conservation. Their work benefits all Ohioans and exemplifies that individuals can make a difference in conserving natural resources.
Each award recipient is featured in the September issue of Ohio Farmer magazine and receives $400 from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. Ohio Farmer magazine has sponsored the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards since the program's inception. Nominations are sought annually between January and May.
Carl and Beverly Ayers farm 300 acres in Fulton County and have been cooperators with the Fulton County Soil & Water Conservation District for 25 years. They have enrolled 63 acres of land in the filter strip component of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for 20 years. As a result, the Ayerses were named winners of the Fulton County Buffer Award in 2000. This recognition has helped others in the community realize the importance of filter strips in increasing wildlife habitat, reducing soil erosion and filtering runoff from nearby fields.
Preserving wildlife habitat and utilizing conservation practices to protect the quality of water in our rivers and streams is important to our family, Carl Ayers said.
Scott and Charlene Stoller farm 250 acres in Wayne County, including a 160 dairy herd operation. Their certified organic farming operation includes a variety of conservation techniques. Grass waterways, forested riparian buffers, a manure nutrient management plan and a timber management plan developed by the ODNR Division of Forestry are a few of the measures the Stollers have employed. The Wayne County Soil & Water Conservation District has included the Stoller farm on its annual commissioner's tour which highlights conservation accomplishments throughout the county each year.
Our goal is to be good stewards of the land and to pass on sustainable farming methods, Scott Stoller said.
James and Marilyn Mills farm 1,100 acres in Washington County where they raise cattle and crop timber, hay and pasture. Conservation practices employed on the Mills farm include rotational grazing and erecting fencing to keep cattle out of woodlots, ponds and riparian areas. The Millses have hosted the Ohio Woodland Steward Program, Beef Field Day, Ohio Agriculture Tour Stop and a Mater Tree Farm Program. In 1999, the Mills farm was named Tree Farm of the Year.
I have a deep respect for the value of our natural resources, James Mills said. No civilization can endure for very long without its topsoil.
Keith and Betsy Kemp farm 1,300 acres in Preble County where they run a 1,200 hog operation. Their outstanding conservation practices include a subsurface drainage system, grass waterways, buffer strips, mortality composting, integrated pest management, soil testing, no-till and side dress for all corn acres to reduce nitrogen rates. They have also hosted field days to promote proper herbicide uses, no-till practices and to demonstrate the latest in no-till equipment. Keith Kemp was recognized as the 1977 Ohio No-Till Farmer of the Year. He was featured in the March issue of Progressive Farmer magazine, regarding no-till and the CORE 4 programs.
"Plain and simple, conservation of natural resources pays," Keith Kemp said. "There is a current cost benefit factor to our families and future generations."
Paul (PJ) Ryan operates a diverse 1,200-acre farm in Highland County where he raises corn, soybeans, small grains, hogs and cattle. His conservation techniques include crop rotation, no-till planting, subsurface drainage, grass waterways and filter strips. A major concern of the farm is manure handling. After hauling, Ryan takes care to clean up the barn lot areas and roadways to maintain a "good neighbor policy." Ryan Farms has hosted the Ohio Cattlemen's State Tour and have been actively involved with the Young Farmers Exchange Program, serving as host to three international students.
We believe that conservation and environmental stewardship is an obligation and duty, Paul Ryan said.