Annual Awards Luncheon - 2011 Farm Awards
Conserving Natural Resources for Our Future
430 Court Street New Castle, PA 16101 (724) 652-4512 (724) 657-2008
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Jeff Twentier operates J R Twentier Farms in Perry Township, and has taken several steps in the last year or 2 to improve the operation.
Through the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Jeff received funding to have a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan completed
for the farm, which included a conservation plan, nutrient management plan, and the basics of the engineering to install needed manure
management practices. Then, with help through the Farm Service Agency’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, over a mile of fencing
was installed to exclude livestock from the stream through a pasture. Much of this was constructed of locally grown locust posts.
He then built 2 stable stream crossings, developed a spring, and installed a pipeline and 2 concrete watering troughs as off-stream
supplies of livestock water. With the stream protected, native vegetation will now grow and provide a huge water quality benefit.
Jeff also farms much of the ground in nice contour stripcropping to control erosion. For those projects, plus his attitude toward
making positive environmental decisions at the farm, we proudly award him a Conservation Farmer of the Year award.
Conservation Farm Award – Jeff Twentier
Conservation Farm Award – Jeff Henry
Jeff Henry has been making positive environmental changes at the farm he operates in Bessemer for several years now. One of the first items he acquired was a full grazing plan from Natural Resources Conservation Service specialist Tim Elder. He then installed stream fencing to exclude livestock from the run through the farm. He utilized the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentive Program and the Conservation District for help dealing with many more issues. With NRCS, Jeff installed a concrete barnyard heavy use area with a grassed filter below it, plus associated practices like roof runoff management, 2 stream crossings, 250’ of stabilized access road, underground outlets, and 161 feet of animal trail/walkway. He erected about 3500’ of fencing to allow managed grazing, and planted a small pasture area. Then, using a grant obtained by the Conservation District and technical help from both NRCS and the District, a milkhouse wastewater system was installed, which collects the liquid and then spray irrigates it. Further, the District was able to help Jeff to install an impressive solar panel to showcase the technology for on-farm energy production. Jeff obviously deserves recognition for his efforts, and we are pleased to offer him a Conservation Farmer of the Year award.