State Seeks Nominations for Environmental Award

From the state Department of Ag and Markets:

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:

            http://www.agriculture.ny.gov/2014_AEM_Nomination_Form.pdf

Jefferson County Farm Wins State Agricultural Environmental Management Award

News from Empire Farm Days:

The Shelmidines, Dylan, Christopher, Todd, Kaitlyn, Donald, Erik, Susan, Jessica, Devon and Doug

The Shelmidine family of Adams, Jefferson County, today received the 20th annual New York Agricultural Environmental Management Award during the NY Ag Leadership Luncheon at Empire Farm Days.

State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel Aubertine presented the award to Donald, Doug and Todd Shelmidine and their families.

The AEM program aims to boost public awareness of farm efforts in preserving the environment. During the awards presentation, Aubertine said the family's commitment to conservation and the environment extends far behind the farm.

The Jefferson County dairy farms 1,650 acres of alfalfa hay, corn silage, corn for grain, soybeans and small grains – all of it supporting their 775-cow milking herd. Working closely with the Soil and Water Conservation District, Sheland Farms’ conservation and environmental protection measures go above and beyond those required for their concentrated animal feeding operation.

The family has played in key role in putting in place the state's AEM program in the Sandy Creek project. Doug has served on USDA's Agricultural Air Quality Taskforce for 10 years.

"Meeting CAFO requirement has been challenging," he said. "But our SWCD has helped us solve most problems."

The Shelmidines keep all cattle and crops "under cover" – roofs for all dairy animals, plus crop residues and cover crops on their fields. Even Sheland Farms' manure lagoon is covered. It all fits with the farm's commitment to protecting the environment.

A manure solids separator and methane digester were installed in 2007. They began composting manure solids for bedding and generating electricity from methane created in an anaerobic digester.

Close to half of the farmland is no-tilled to minimize soil compaction. The rest is minimum-tilled. Most manure nutrients are spring-applied and incorporated into the soil just ahead of planting or on spread on growing hay ground to maximize nutrient uptake and minimize nutrient losses.

The Shelmidines are active in the New York Farm Bureaus, 4-H, FFA and the Northeast Dairy Producers Association. In 2006, their farm was honored the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year award by the Small business Development Center of the State University of New York.

In 2011, it was chosen as Jefferson County SWCD's Conservation Farm.

Other 2013 finalists for the award were:

* Downing Acres, Burke, Franklin County, is 200-acre mix of hay, grazing and wood lands with a large herd of Katahdin sheep. Owners Elizabeth and Pat Downing were nominated by Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District.

* Heritage Hill Farm of Fort Ann, Washington County, Inez Mattison and family were nominated by Washington County SWCD. Heritage Hill involves 750 acres of cropland plus a 250-cow dairy herd meeting their concentrated animal feeding operation commitment.