Nominations are being accepted for the statewide Agricultural Environmental Management (AEM) Award.
Each year, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, Empire State Potato Growers, and American Agriculturist magazine host this distinguished award, which highlights the outstanding environmental stewardship accomplished by farmers in partnership with respective County Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The winner will be
announced during the Agricultural Leadership Luncheon at Empire Farm
Days in Seneca Falls this August.
“As a farm owner for 20 years, my land is my livelihood, and I’ve
worked with the Soil and Water Conservation District in Schoharie County
a number of times to get the most
out of it in an environmentally sound way,” said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.
“This year, our goal is to honor the farm that takes environmental
stewardship through the AEM program to that next level. We’re looking
for creative ideas and examples of good partnerships
with local districts. We look forward to a worthy competition in
2014,” he said.
AEM
is a voluntary, incentive-based program that helps New York state
farmers make common-sense, cost-effective and science-based decisions to
help meet
business objectives while protecting and conserving the State’s natural
resources.
The
winning farm family and nominating district will each receive a
financial incentive to help them continue their environmental programs. In addition, all nominees will receive recognition for their valuable
efforts.
The nomination form must be received at the Department of Agriculture and Markets
via email no later than close of business on Wednesday, June 11 to
jodi.shain@agriculture.ny.gov.
The form can be downloaded at the following link:
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