"Environmental stewardship covers many areas
besides the primary concern of proper application of livestock manure.
It is also controlling odor and maintaining aesthetics to make our
business non-offensive to live near. Not only do we have to be good
stewards of the land, air and water, but also good neighbors as well.
Sound science will ensure that we, as producers, will manage our farms
in an environmentally responsible manner. Sound people skills will
ensure that we, as producers, will be able to continue in animal agriculture."
– Bryan Black, pork producer
Each year since 1998, Ohio farmers have been applauded
for their outstanding accomplishments in developing and implementing
exemplary management practices that protect the environment and conserve
natural resources through the Ohio Livestock Coalition’s Environmental
Stewardship Awards.
The program recognizes individual producers in each of
the following areas: beef cattle, swine, poultry (layer, broiler and/or
turkey), and sheep (lamb and wool). Each recipient is selected based
on general nature and history of the farming operation; manure management
system, including water quality and protection measures, odor control
practices, land application practices, and soil/crop management practices;
profitability; stewardship goals and accomplishments; innovative management
practices; and more.
For additional information about the Ohio Livestock Coalition
or the Environmental Stewardship Awards, please contact David White,
executive director of the OLC at 614-249-2435 or via e-mail at
dwhite@ofbf.org.
"For me, environmental stewardship is, at the very
core, a way of life. It is very important that I leave the planet in
a better condition than what I received it in. I am raising my children
on the land that I am farming. My entire family drinks from the well
on our property. I make my living by how well I treat our livestock.
The better I treat them, the better I can provide for my family. So,
it is in my best interest to be actively seeking better ways to protect
the environment, so that my children and grandchildren can still farm
the land that I am so diligently working to protect today." –
Pat Hord, Hord Livestock Co., Inc.
"We believe all life is a gift of the Creator, to
be received and cared for, not as a right, but as a trust. It is our
job as caretakers or stewards to care for and improve our soil, water
and other natural resources, and then pass it on – hopefully in
better condition than when we received it. We feel that whether an operation
is small or large, it is our responsibility to do our part. We feel
it is important to produce a quality product while promoting agriculture
through good stewardship and a well-kept farmstead." – Sam
& Nita Hellwarth, Hellwarth Dairy Farm
"Our environmental improvements have increased production
per unit as well as increasing units at the same time. Anything good
for the environment is good for agriculture. Good stewardship practices
make our operation more profitable, better looking and gives us a good
feeling about the programs we are implementing." – Don
Sweeting, Sweeting Farms
"While all of these practices have an important impact
on the environment… our stewardship practices have (also) benefited
the farm by saving money. Testing the soil saves in applying fertilizer
only where needed. Rotating crops aids in better yields. Keeping cattle
out of low-lying, wet areas avoids cases of mastitis, which can be costly
to treat and reduce milk production." –
Tom Freer, Klever Holstein Farm
"Poultry manure is never considered a waste. It’s
a valuable substitute for commercial fertilizer." –Jim
Zehringer, Meiring Poultry Farm
"Stewardship starts with the smallest link of the
chain. We will continue to strive to improve efforts that conserve and
protect the air, water and land." – Tony
Bornhorst, Bornhorst Bros.
"Manure management contributes greatly to the profitability
and productivity of our operation by reducing commercial fertilizer
needs and costs. The reduction in commercial fertilizer usage is a major
contributor to reducing per acre costs of our crops, which include corn,
soybeans, wheat and oats." – Tony
Bornhorst, Bornhorst Bros.
"Any time a person strives to balance what is best
for the operation, the environment, the livestock and crops, everyone
comes out a winner. When the environment is healthy and cared for, it
becomes more productive. This includes the crops and the livestock.
From an economic standpoint, if the producer can get the land and the
livestock to do most of the work on their own, the entire operation
is more profitable." – Troy Cooper,
former Ohio State University extension agriculture/natural resources
agent
"If we as dairy producers do not implement good conservation
practices, we could not stay in business very long. God has provided
us with the best resources possible. Now, it’s up to each man,
woman and child to take care of it for future generations." –
Sally Hatfield, Hatfield 7 Dairy
"We feel that environmental stewardship is an obligation
and duty. Conservation and stewardship increase the profitability of
the farming and cattle business operations. The public perception of
cattle raising and business can only be enhanced with an emphasis on
environmental stewardship." – Paul
"P. J." Ryan, Ryan Farms
