NORWICH – The Soil and Water Conservation District named their selections for 2008 Farm of the Year and the Annual Forester Achievement Award at their annual luncheon, held recently at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich.
The Maple Dream Farm in Coventry, operated by Mary Klecha-Conroe, was named Farm of the Year. The dairy farm was started in 1952 by Klecha’s parents, Julia and Edward, with 12 cows. Today, the farm has a registered dairy heard of 100 cows and an additional 100 heifers and calves.
Klecha credits programs offered by the Soil and Water Conservation District for helping make that growth possible over the years, particularly the agency’s pasture management and grazing enhancement programs.
“You all do a tremendous job. You’re very dedicated,” she said, directing her comments to the Soil & Water Conservation District staff present.
“We will continue to improve as long as we are in this business,” said Klecha. She said she looks forward to continuing to work with the agency and encourages other area farmers to take advantage of the programs they offer.
Klecha explained that in the process of working with the agency, her eyes were opened to the true nature of conservation.
“After all these years as a farmer, I’m proud to say I’m also a conservationist,” she said. “I hope as parents and teachers, we continue to educate our children about conservation.”
The Forestry Achievement Award was presented to James Ager of Manlius and his daughter, Kelsey. The Agers were selected for their forestry management and conservation efforts on a 65 acre parcel of land they own in the Town of Smyrna.
The property was originally purchased by Ager and a group of associates primarily for hunting purposes. Unfortunately, the condition of the land was not conducive to a healthy or abundant wildlife population.
In an effort to revitalize the land, Ager contacted the DEC and worked with them to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan. For nearly a decade, Ager and his family have worked to implement those recommendations; planting trees, crops and wildlife food plots.
“Jim’s hard work ethic and dedication to improving his land has certainly inspired his family and especially his daughter Kelsey,” said Forester Paul Romanenko who presented the award to the Agers.
The family’s efforts have not just benefited their own plot of land, but the surrounding area as well.
“Wildlife species, vegetation, clean water and air, and all the other components of the natural world are not bound by property lines,” said Romanenko.
“It is people like the Agers that will not only provide future generations with the same opportunities or better, but also inspire others to do the same,” he said. “That is why Jim, Kelsey and the rest of the Ager family are more than deserving of this year’s Forestry Achievement Award.”
In his acceptance speech, Ager joked that his efforts had been too successful. “Come get ‘em,” he said, speaking of the large number of wild turkeys inhabiting his property.
Ager continued on a more serious note. “It required a lot of work and a lot of dedication,” he said, thanking those who had helped him achieve success on his property.