Three farms within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed received the Clean Water Farm Award for their efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay during the PA Association of Conservation Districts’, Inc. annual conference and awards ceremony July 10.

Recognition is given annually to those farmers who are environmentally conscious in the management of their farm operations and who also exhibit an understanding of the roles we all play in protecting the state’s waterways.  This year’s recognition went to:

Bradford County: “In Bradford County, Julie and Greg Perry have implemented multiple conservation practices to sustain their Sundance Life Farm,” said Drew Gilchrist, PACD President.  “They have instituted a fencing system, stabilized animal walkway, wildlife area, a stream crossing, roof runoff and an underground outlet. Additionally, the couple tests their soil every three years and their manure yearly. They are a true example of what it takes to sustain an environmentally-friendly farm. We appreciate their efforts and thank them for their work.”

Located in Towanda, Sundance Life Farm is home to dairy cows, laying hens, hogs, emus, sheep and goats. The family hosts field-day trainings to educate the community about the benefits of farming and best management conservation practices. To learn more about Sundance Life Farm, visit them on Facebook.

Lebanon County: “In Lebanon County, Jim and Cindy Hess have worked for years to implement best management practices such as rotational grazing to ensure their farm is sustainable,” said Drew Gilchrist, PACD President. “Additionally, they’ve installed solar panels and a wind turbine to generate electricity. These conservation practices will allow their farm to continue growing with Pennsylvania. We are very proud of their work.”

The Hess farm, located in Palmyra, is currently in the process of being preserved through the state Lebanon County Farmland Preservation Program.

Lycoming County: “In Lycoming County, Michael Sherman, owner of Sherman Beef Cattle, has demonstrated a strong commitment to conservation and improved water quality,” said Drew Gilchrist, PACD President. “He has installed several best management practices on his farm which include rotational grazing, stream-bank fencing, riparian buffers, a stabilized stream crossing and a livestock heavy-use area. Sherman Beef Cattle Farm is a model for Lycoming County and we are proud to recognize their efforts today.”

The farm, which is located in Clinton Township, also participates in the Lycoming County Nutrient Credit Trading Program and allows local groups to conduct education and outreach activities on their lands throughout the year. In 2011, the Sherman Beef Cattle Farm was the recipient of the PA Cattlemen Association’s Environmental Stewardship Award.

Since 1986, the Clean Water Farm award has been presented annually to farms within Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed for their daily pollution prevention efforts in their farm operations while maintaining clean water.

The honorees are nominated by their local county conservation districts. The program is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office administered by PACD. The awards are sponsored jointly by the Department of Environmental Protection's Chesapeake Bay Program and the Department of Agriculture.

The Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office conducts numerous activities annually with a theme of “We All Live Downstream.”

7/16/2012