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September 13, 2005
OHIO'S TOP CONSERVATION FARMERS HONORED
Families from Hardin, Muskingum, Wayne, Miami and Ross counties to be recognized
LONDON, OHIO -- Ohio's top conservation farm families for 2005 will be honored for their long-standing dedication to natural resource conservation during ceremonies on September 21 at the Farm Science Review near London. The annual award is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Soil & Water Conservation, Ohio Farmer magazine and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.
Among those being honored will be Jan Layman and family of Hardin County, Joe Mattingly of Muskingum County, Brian Renneker of Wayne County, Melvin and Marilyn Roeth of Miami County, and Eugene and Betty Carter from Ross County.
Since 1984, the Conservation Farm Family Awards program has recognized more than 100 Ohio farm families for their exemplary efforts of conserving soil, water, woodland and wildlife and other natural resources on the land they farm. Conservation farm families also host a variety of educational programs, opening their farms to schools, scout groups, farm organizations and others.
"The awards program recognizes farm families who have gone the extra mile in protecting the environment while producing the food and fiber crops that are such an important part of Ohio's economy," said David Hanselmann, chief of the ODNR Division of Soil & Water Conservation. "The practices these people use to prevent soil erosion and water pollution benefit all Ohioans, and serve as an example of what individuals can do to conserve natural resources." Hanselmann serves as coordinator for the program.
In addition to receiving $400 each from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation, the families are also featured in the September issue of Ohio Farmer magazine. The magazine has co-sponsored the Ohio Conservation Farm Family Awards since the program's inception. Nominations are sought annually between January and May.
Profiles of the 2005 Conservation Farm Family Award winners
Area 1 Winners - Jan Layman farms 3,000 acres in Hardin County. Corn and soybeans are the principal crops. Much of the land farmed is considered highly erodable. Conservation techniques include no-till, filter strips, and installation of approximately 1.5 miles of grass waterways. Layman Farms was also the site for the first water and sediment control basin system designed in Hardin County. They have hosted a number of OSU Cooperative Extension field days/crop twilight tours at their farm. The American Soybean Association/Monsanto/Soybean Digest has recognized Layman as the Eastern Region Conservation Legacy Award winner for 2003. “Operating in the most profitable manner while still maintaining and improving the quality of the farms we operate, as well as reducing soil erosion and improving water quality, remains our goal,” Layman said.
Area 2 Winners -The Rennekers operate a diverse 560-acre farm in Wayne County. Major crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay. Cattle are also raised. Conservation practices include no-till, crop rotation, filter strips, grass waterways, and contour strips. Brian has installed fencing to reduce streambank erosion and prevent manure from entering Sugar Creek. He also planted more than 1,000 trees along the riparian corridor that will someday shade and cool the stream and make it more attractive to fish, aquatic insects and wildlife. “Being a good steward of the land is a priority, we have to protect our soil and our water,” Renneker said. “Implementing sound conservation practices is worth the effort and it is easy to see the difference already.”
Area 3 Winners - Joe Mattingly farms 520 acres in Muskingum County. He has been a cooperator with the district for more than 54 years. He was one of the earliest to install systematic subsurface drainage and was a proponent of contour strips on his farm. Other conservation techniques utilized include no-till, crop rotation, grass filter strips, erosion control structures, tree plantings, and wetlands development and restoration. Mattingly’s farms have served as training grounds for a multitude of conservation programs, including pond clinics, forestry field days, college and high school conservation tours, county land judging contests, teacher workshops, as well as the annual “wiener roast” for local nursing home senior residents. “Soil conservation not only helps the farmer, but benefits everybody by providing clean water in the streams, while the trees help retain water to reduce flooding,” Mattingly noted.
Area 4 Winners - Melvin and Marilyn Roeth farm 474 acres in Miami County. Major crops include corn and soybeans. Conservation techniques used include no-till, crop rotation, grass waterways, grass filter strips, and the development of five acres of wetlands. The Roeths have been district cooperators since 1958. They have hosted numerous educational workshops on a variety of subjects including: wildlife habitat, stream monitoring, conservation, and the importance of annual planning. They recently built a small cottage with the idea that it can be used for future workshops and meetings to promote their wetlands and other conservation practices.
Area 5 Winners - Eugene and Betty Carter farm 2,100 acres in Ross County. Principal crops include corn, soybeans, and wheat. Conservation practices include installation of almost four miles of filter strips to control runoff, reduce sediment, and prevent fertilizers from entering nearby streams. They are also strong proponents of no-till, crop rotation, cover crops and grass waterways. “My goal is to leave this land better than it was when I began farming and hope my children and grandchildren will do the same,” Carter said.
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