NORWICH – Chenango County’s leaders in water, soil, forestry and agricultural conservation gathered at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich on Wednesday to laud local industries committed to natural conservation during the annual Soil and Water Conservation District award ceremony.
This year, the celebration spotlighted two Chenango County businesses: Perfect Circle Forestry of Guilford, recipient of the Forestry Achievement Award; and Angel Rose Dairy of Bainbridge, awarded as the district’s 2012 Farm of the Year. Each award is presented with upmost honors, recognizing the agricultural achievements of both
businesses as a model that preserves the mission of the Chenango County Soil and Water Conservation District (CCSWCD).
“Farmers have faced so many difficult challenges over the last year,” said USDA representative and conservationist Lauren Johnson, who opened the ceremony with a recap of the last year – everything from the floods of 2011, to the drought brought on in the early summer months – and shared his vision of what local agriculturalists and conservationists can look forward to in the coming year. “Who would have thought that we would have gone from having too much water last year to not having enough this year,” he joked.
Johnson’s message was optimistic. “I think 2013 is going to be a big year,” he added. “I think what we are going to see is a lot of small farmers that grow and keep getting bigger in the future.”
Michael Gray, founder and owner of the local forest consulting company Perfect Circle Forestry, was the first to be applauded for his work. Since 1991, Gray has used his company to advise private forest landowners in Chenango and surrounding counties. According to the CCSWCD, it’s Gray’s commitment to educating the public about sustainable forestry practices that sets him apart. For several years, he’s worked collaboratively with the Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Watershed Ag Council and other ag groups, offering forestry workshops, seminars and woods-walks.
“This is quite an honor,” said Gray, offering only a few words upon accepting his award.“I do appreciate the recognition.”
Angel Rose Dairy was then recognized for its innovation and best management process for farms with the Farm of the Year award. For years, the farm, owned and operated by John and Dianne Kemmeren, has taken aim at educational efforts for ag purposes and leading the way for local farms that need to adhere to environmental conservation mandates as the federal government pushes them to play their part in reducing nitrogen and phosphate in farm water, which eventually makes its way into the heavily polluted Chesapeake Bay.
The award is presented to a farm that demonstrates exemplary stewardship of its soil and water resources. The Kemmerens were acclaimed by the CCSWCD for having conservation in mind while developing a series of best management practices and always seeking ways to better their operation. In 2006, the farm undertook a role in the Agricultural Environmental Management Program as part of an effort to improve water quality.
“They are a good example of what all farms, large and small, need to accomplish for the future,” said Lance Lockwood, manager of the CCSWCD.
“This is an honor and a pleasure,” John Kemmeren said. “Today is filled with technology ... I would like to encourage others to look around and think what you can do to keep soil on your farm.”